Samsung Dex app now available on Windows, Mac: Here's why you should try it out

Samsung touted improved Dex capabilities with the Galaxy Note 10 series, allowing users to access the phones’ desktop environment via a laptop and a USB cable. Now, the required Windows and Mac apps have gone live (h/t: XDA-Developers), enabling users to see what all the fuss is about.

The apps are available for Windows 7, Windows 10, and MacOS (10.13 or higher), and allow you to run Samsung Dex on a Windows or Mac laptop. You might be wondering why you’d want to run Dex on a laptop, especially when computers offer powerful programs already.

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One major benefit to running Dex on a notebook is that you don’t need to buy or carry extra peripherals such as a mouse and keyboard. Simply plug your phone into the laptop and you can use the machine’s trackpad and keyboard.

Another advantage to using this iteration of Dex is that you can quickly drag and drop files between smartphone and PC — no need to email yourself or use cloud storage. And the setup also means you can play many Android games on a bigger screen, without having to install Bluestacks or other emulators.

XDA also says you should be able to run Linux on your laptop via this method, opening the door for more programs and functionality than running Android apps alone.

It’s unclear whether accessories plugged into the laptop’s USB ports (e.g. external hard drives and gamepads) can be recognized and used via Dex. It’s also worth noting that the ability to access Dex via a computer only applies to the Galaxy Note 10 series. Nevertheless, we’re glad to see Samsung deliver significant upgrades like this in the first place.

Dex is also getting attention outside tech circles this week, as the Chicago police department has announced that it’s testing the feature in its police cars. The move will see police officers being able to dock their phones to a dash-mounted display and keyboard. This will enable officers to quickly access dispatch functionality, run background checks, upload photos/videos, and more without a dedicated laptop.

Have you used Dex on your Samsung device? Give us your thoughts on the feature below!