How to turn a Samsung Galaxy phone into a mini PC with DeX
Techies love to say things like, “You know phones are just computers, right?” This has never been more true than today. Your broken Samsung Galaxy phone doesn’t need to be thrown away: it can literally be the brains powering a mini PC setup with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Samsung Galaxy phones are now super powerful
And you don’t need the latest model
Chances are your Galaxy phone is the most expensive piece of tech you own, and there’s good reason for that. Beneath that flimsy AMOLED display is a processor capable of keeping up with some mid-range laptops. You probably use all that power to scroll through apps, take photos, and send text messages, but your phone is capable of so much more.
Modern chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the latest Galaxy S26 series are ridiculously powerful. It’s not even exclusively a Samsung thing. Apple’s MacBook Neo has the same chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro. However, you don’t need the latest Galaxy phone to have a powerful processor. The latest generations of Snapdragon’s high-end chips are all excellent.
8 Ways to Repurpose an Old Samsung Galaxy Phone
Let this Galaxy phone live.
We have Samsung to thank for desktop mode on Android
Once again, Samsung is the leader
So how can we put this desktop-caliber power to good use? By simply connecting your broken Galaxy phone to an external monitor, the software transforms into a desktop interface called “DeX.” Android as a whole has only just gotten a native desktop mode, but Samsung has been doing it for a long time.
“DeX” is shorthand for “Desktop Experience,” and it was an interesting idea that launched alongside the Galaxy S8 in 2017. At the time, it required a plastic puck called the “DeX Station,” but that’s no longer the case today. The software has evolved into something surprisingly similar to Windows or macOS. You get a proper taskbar, resizable windows, desktop widgets, and support for a mouse and keyboard (plus shortcuts you already know). The best part is that everything on your phone is there and ready for you.
Samsung has included DeX in every Galaxy S series since the Galaxy S8 and Note 10. This is a slightly more recent development for the Z series, however: you’ll need a Fold 2 or later or a Flip 7 or later. The Galaxy A series and other Galaxy devices do not officially support DeX.
DeX is much more advanced than Android’s standard desktop mode, but Samsung is working with Google on the project. Ultimately, both versions should be completely up to par. For now, though, Samsung Galaxy owners are getting a superior experience. Let’s put it into service.
How to Use DeX on a Samsung Galaxy Phone
It’s easier than you think
First, we need to assess how “broken” you are working with. A Galaxy phone with a damaged but functional screen is the best candidate. However, you have options if the screen is unresponsive or completely blank. If you already have USB debugging enabled (which is a good idea), you can control it with scrcpy and connect a mouse and keyboard to use in DeX.
The most reliable way to get started with DeX is to use an HDMI to USB-C/DisplayPort to USB-C adapter or an inexpensive USB-C hub. Once you plug your phone into a monitor or TV, a prompt will appear on your screen asking if you want to start DeX. If it doesn’t show up automatically, you can still find the DeX toggle in your Quick Settings panel by swiping down from the top of your screen.
For those who hate cables, you can even go wireless. As long as you have a smart TV or monitor that supports Miracast, you can stream the entire desktop interface to the entire room with just a few clicks.
Now that you are in the DeX environment, you can modify things as you wish. If you don’t have a mouse handy and the screen still works, your phone can actually act as a touchpad. Just tap the “Use your phone as a touchpad” notification that appears on your phone when DeX is active. Of course, a cracked screen might not be ideal as a touchpad, and that’s where pairing a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse comes in handy.
Most desktop-specific options can be found by going to Settings > Connected Devices > Samsung DeX. Search for “Connected Display” to adjust the monitor settings. This is also where you’ll find the mouse and keyboard options. DeX lets you change the mouse scrolling direction and also offers a few multi-touch gestures.
From there, you’re on the right track. The beauty of DeX is that there really isn’t much to configure. It’s literally your phone displayed in a different form factor. All your apps are connected and ready to go, you’ve already adjusted your phone settings, and your photos and videos are backed up. It works.
