To use Samsung DeX on a monitor, connect a DeX-compatible Galaxy phone or tablet to the monitor’s HDMI input with a DeX cable, USB-C-to-HDMI cable, or compatible USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. Unlock the Galaxy device and accept the DeX prompt. Pair a keyboard and mouse over Bluetooth, or plug them into available USB ports through a compatible multiport adapter. Eligible Galaxy models can also start DeX wirelessly on a compatible Samsung TV, Samsung Smart Monitor, or other Miracast display.
The exact steps depend on the Galaxy model, Android/One UI version, display, and connection method. Samsung maintains separate compatibility lists for wired DeX, Wireless DeX, and DeX on PC, so a device that supports one mode may not support another.
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What you need before connecting DeX
Prepare the hardware and check support before buying an adapter. A successful setup requires all of the following:
- A supported Galaxy device: Compatibility differs between phones and tablets, and between wired, wireless, and PC modes. Some Galaxy Flip and FE models are excluded from particular connection types.
- A display: For wired DeX, use a monitor or TV with an HDMI input. For Wireless DeX, use a supported Galaxy model and a compatible wireless display.
- A video connection: Use a DeX cable, USB-C-to-HDMI cable, or compatible USB-C-to-HDMI adapter. Samsung documents a standard USB-C-to-HDMI adapter as a way to start DeX.
- Input devices: A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse can pair directly with the Galaxy device. Wired devices need usable USB ports on the device, dock, or compatible multiport adapter.
- Power: A phone or tablet may need charging during a long DeX session. If your adapter or hub offers USB-C power input, check that it is compatible with the Galaxy model and the video adapter.
Do not assume that every USB-C hub supports DeX. Video output, USB data, charging, and hub compatibility can vary by Galaxy model and adapter design.
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Choose wired HDMI or Wireless DeX
| Connection | Display requirement | Galaxy requirement | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wired DeX | Monitor or TV with an HDMI input | Model must support direct cable/HDMI DeX | DeX cable, USB-C-to-HDMI cable, or compatible adapter; HDMI cable if the adapter does not include one | Consistent connection, monitors without Miracast, and setups where a cable is acceptable |
| Wireless DeX | 2018 or later Samsung TV, Samsung Smart Monitor, or another display that supports Miracast | Model must support Wireless DeX | No video cable; compatible wireless display | A cable-free desk or living-room setup |
| DeX on PC | Compatible computer software rather than a direct monitor connection | Separate PC-mode support | Computer connection and supported software | Using DeX features on a computer; not the same as connecting directly to an HDMI monitor |
Wired and wireless support are separate checks. A Galaxy device can be compatible with direct HDMI DeX but not Wireless DeX, or vice versa. Verify the exact model and intended mode on Samsung’s current support list before purchasing accessories.
Connect Samsung DeX to a monitor with HDMI
Wired HDMI is the most broadly useful route when the monitor has no wireless-display function. It also lets you use an ordinary HDMI monitor rather than limiting the setup to a compatible smart display.
Step 1: Check the monitor input
Identify an available HDMI input on the monitor or TV. Select that HDMI input with the display’s input/source control. If the monitor has several HDMI inputs, note which one you use; the display must be switched to that input after the Galaxy device is connected.
Step 2: Connect the video cable or adapter
- Plug the USB-C end of the DeX cable, USB-C-to-HDMI cable, or compatible USB-C-to-HDMI adapter into the Galaxy phone or tablet.
- Connect the HDMI side to the monitor’s HDMI input. If you are using a separate HDMI cable with an adapter, connect both ends securely.
- Switch the monitor to the matching HDMI source.
Use an adapter that explicitly supports video output and is compatible with the particular Galaxy device. A USB-C connector alone does not guarantee DeX or HDMI support.
Step 3: Unlock and start DeX
Unlock the Galaxy device if prompted. Accept the on-screen request to start DeX. The external screen should change to the DeX desktop.
Some devices initially mirror the phone screen instead of opening the desktop interface. In that case, open Quick Settings or the notification panel on the Galaxy device and select the DeX control to switch from mirroring to DeX.
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Step 4: Connect the keyboard and mouse
Once the display is active, connect your input devices using one of the methods below. You can pair them before or after starting DeX.
Pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse
Bluetooth is the simplest option when the Galaxy device has no convenient USB ports or you want a clean desk.
- Put the keyboard and mouse into pairing mode according to each device’s instructions.
- Open the Galaxy device’s Bluetooth controls and select each accessory when it appears.
- Confirm any pairing code shown on the phone or tablet and finish the connection.
- Test typing in a text field and move the pointer across the DeX desktop.
Samsung documents Bluetooth keyboard and mouse use with DeX. If an accessory pairs but does not respond, disconnect it from another nearby computer or tablet first; many Bluetooth peripherals maintain only one active host connection. Replace or recharge its batteries, then pair it again.
Connect a wired keyboard and mouse
Wired USB accessories work when the Galaxy device, adapter, or dock provides compatible USB ports.
Direct USB connection
If your Galaxy tablet or phone has a usable USB port arrangement, connect the keyboard and mouse and wait for them to be recognized. A USB hub may be needed when the device has only one port.
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Using a USB-C HDMI hub
A multiport USB-C HDMI hub can combine HDMI video with USB-A or USB-C accessory ports. Connect the hub to the Galaxy device, connect HDMI from the hub to the monitor, and plug the keyboard and mouse into the hub’s USB ports. Check the specific hub and Galaxy model for compatibility; Samsung does not imply that every generic hub works with every device.
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If the display works but one or both USB accessories do not, disconnect other USB devices, test each accessory separately, and check whether the hub requires external power. A hub can have enough bandwidth for video but still lack reliable support for a particular peripheral or Galaxy model.
Start Wireless DeX
Wireless DeX removes the video cable, but it has stricter display and model requirements than wired HDMI.
Confirm the wireless display
Samsung says Wireless DeX works with Samsung TVs from 2018 onward, Samsung Smart Monitors, and other displays that support Miracast screen mirroring. The display must also be compatible with the Galaxy model. A TV that can mirror a phone is not automatically guaranteed to support the full Wireless DeX mode.
Connect from Quick Settings
- Turn on the compatible TV or monitor and select its screen-mirroring or relevant wireless-display mode if required.
- On the Galaxy phone or tablet, open Quick Settings.
- Select DeX.
- Choose the TV or monitor from the available displays.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to approve the connection and start DeX.
After DeX starts, pair a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse with the Galaxy device, or use supported wired accessories through an available USB connection. Wireless DeX avoids the HDMI cable but does not eliminate the need for a supported Galaxy model and display.
Configure the desk after DeX starts
DeX presents a desktop-style interface on the external screen while the Galaxy device remains the host. Keep the phone or tablet within reach for notifications and connection controls, especially during wireless sessions.
- Use the mouse to select apps, open windows, and move between desktop controls.
- Use the keyboard to type in messaging, office, browser, and other apps that support keyboard input.
- If the screen is mirrored rather than showing the desktop, return to Quick Settings or the notification panel and select DeX.
- Keep the device connected to power for lengthy sessions when possible. A video adapter or hub may need a separate power connection if it is designed to accept USB-C charging.
App behavior remains dependent on the Android app and the Galaxy model. DeX provides the desktop environment and input support; it does not turn every mobile app into a full desktop application.
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Compatibility checks that prevent most failures
Do not mix Samsung’s compatibility lists
Samsung publishes distinct support information for Wireless DeX, direct cable/HDMI DeX, and DeX on PC. Treating one list as proof of support for another is a common buying mistake. Confirm the exact model number and the connection mode you intend to use.
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Some Galaxy Flip and FE models are excluded from particular DeX connection modes, and tablet support varies as well. The product family name is not enough: two devices in the same broad family can have different external-display capabilities.
Separate direct-monitor DeX from DeX on PC
DeX on PC is a different feature from plugging a Galaxy device into an HDMI monitor. Samsung says DeX on PC is not supported on listed newer models or on devices running Android 15 with One UI 7 or later, and directs users toward Link to Windows for those cases. That limitation should not be interpreted as a general ban on direct HDMI DeX. Check the direct cable/HDMI support list for monitor use.
Troubleshoot a blank or “no signal” monitor
The monitor shows no image
- Confirm the monitor is on the HDMI input used by the cable.
- Unplug and firmly reconnect the USB-C and HDMI ends.
- Try a different HDMI input or cable.
- Verify that the Galaxy model supports wired DeX, not merely another DeX mode.
- If using a hub, test a direct USB-C-to-HDMI adapter to isolate hub compatibility.
The phone only mirrors its screen
Open Quick Settings or the notification panel and use the DeX control to change from screen mirroring to DeX. If no DeX option appears, recheck model support and the adapter’s video capability.
DeX starts and then disconnects
Check for a loose connector, an underpowered hub, or an adapter that does not support the device. Save work before unplugging HDMI: Samsung notes that removing the HDMI connection can restart the DeX session on some devices.
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The display does not appear in the DeX list
- Confirm the TV or monitor supports Miracast and is a supported Samsung display generation where applicable.
- Check Wireless DeX support for the exact Galaxy model; wired compatibility does not prove wireless compatibility.
- Place the Galaxy device and display closer together and retry discovery.
- Restart the display’s wireless or screen-mirroring function and reopen Quick Settings.
The connection is slow or unstable
Samsung’s regional guidance cautions that wireless performance varies with network conditions, distance, and compatibility. Treat wireless quality as specific to the room, network, display, and Galaxy model rather than expecting a guaranteed speed or range. For a work session where interruptions are unacceptable, use a compatible wired HDMI connection.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot the keyboard or mouse
- Bluetooth accessory is not found: Put it back into pairing mode, charge it, and disconnect it from another host device.
- Bluetooth accessory pairs but does not type or move: Turn Bluetooth off and on, remove the accessory, and pair it again.
- USB accessory is not detected: Reseat the plug, try the other USB port, and test without the hub or with only one accessory connected.
- Both accessories stop working after adding HDMI: The hub may not provide adequate compatibility or power for simultaneous video and USB. Test a different compatible hub or use Bluetooth accessories.
- Pointer or keyboard works on the phone but not the external display: Confirm that DeX, rather than mirroring, is active and then reconnect the accessory.
Which setup should you buy?
| Your situation | Recommended route | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You already own a normal HDMI monitor | Compatible USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or cable | Direct HDMI DeX does not require a Miracast display. |
| You want no video cable and own a compatible smart display | Wireless DeX | Quick Settings can connect to supported Samsung displays and Miracast devices. |
| You need two USB peripherals and HDMI from one port | Compatible USB-C HDMI hub | Combines video and USB, but hub compatibility must be checked for the Galaxy model. |
| You want the fewest wireless variables | Wired HDMI plus Bluetooth or USB peripherals | The display path is cable-based, while input devices can remain wireless or wired. |
| Your device is affected by the DeX-on-PC restriction | Direct HDMI DeX, if listed as supported, or Link to Windows for PC use | DeX on PC and direct-monitor DeX are separate features. |
Final pre-purchase checklist
- Write down the exact Galaxy phone or tablet model and software version.
- Check Samsung’s current list for direct cable/HDMI DeX if you plan to use a monitor cable.
- Check the separate Wireless DeX list if you plan to connect without HDMI.
- Confirm the monitor has HDMI, or confirm that the wireless display supports Miracast.
- Choose a USB-C-to-HDMI cable or adapter documented as compatible; do not rely on the USB-C plug shape alone.
- Decide whether the keyboard and mouse will be Bluetooth or USB.
- If using a hub, verify simultaneous HDMI, USB, and charging support for the exact Galaxy model.
- Save open work before disconnecting HDMI, because the DeX session may restart when the cable is removed.
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