Samsung Discontinues DeX for Windows: Transition to Phone Link Explained

In an unexpected twist for Samsung Galaxy power users, news has surfaced that Samsung will officially discontinue its DeX app for Windows PCs when One UI 7 rolls out. If you're still relying on those seamless, cable-dependent desktop experiences from your Galaxy device, it's time to rethink your workflow. Here's the full breakdown—and why you might need Microsoft's Phone Link app to keep your productivity intact.

The DeX Legacy: Turning Phones Into Desktop PCs​

First introduced in 2017, Samsung's DeX (short for "desktop experience") was a revolutionary feature designed to elevate high-end Galaxy smartphones to a PC-like interface. At its inception, a dedicated docking device was required to connect your phone to an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard, mimicking the functionality of a desktop computer.
By 2019, Samsung ditched the dock, making the feature more accessible and portable. And in 2020, wireless DeX emerged, enabling users to connect their Galaxy phones to smart TVs, desktops, and laptops without so much as a cable. It became increasingly user-friendly, embedding functionality via the DeX app on Windows PCs. This allowed users to leverage their Galaxy devices as secondary computers that could run mobile apps, manipulate multitasking, and share files—all through the Windows interface.
But now, as One UI 7 looms on the horizon, Samsung DeX's Windows PC integration is set to end.

Why Is Samsung Killing DeX for Windows?​

The Official Statement (or Lack Thereof)​

Samsung hasn't detailed precisely why the DeX app for Windows PCs will meet its demise, but it seems their recommendation of Microsoft's Phone Link app shows a clear intent to migrate users to Microsoft's ecosystem. A little footnote on Samsung's UK DeX page spills the beans: support for DeX on Windows will terminate alongside the release of One UI 7.
Surprisingly, this important update has only been noted subtly (and regionally). The U.S. Samsung DeX page doesn't yet mention the change. Could this mean that the discontinuation is region-specific? Unlikely. It appears more probable that the U.S. page just hasn’t been updated yet.

Probable Factors Behind the Move​

1. Redundancy with Phone Link: Microsoft’s Phone Link application already offers features users might utilize DeX for, such as viewing notifications, sending text messages, accessing photos, and even running apps directly on a Windows 11 PC. Continuing to maintain DeX for Windows may have been deemed redundant.
2. Focus on Wireless Ecosystems: Samsung DeX isn't outright dying—it will still exist in the form of wireless DeX for compatible TVs and non-Windows platforms. Shifting toward a more streamlined, brand-agnostic interface aligns with the broader industry trend of wireless and device-independent software.
3. Collaborations with Microsoft: Samsung and Microsoft have shown a growing partnership over recent years, with features like "Link to Windows" deeply embedded into Galaxy devices. By pivoting to Phone Link, Samsung could further cement an ecosystem symbiosis with Microsoft.
4. Resource Allocation: Let’s face it, hardware and software innovation is resource-intensive. Prioritizing other growth areas—like foldable devices, AI, and hardware integrations—might make more sense for Samsung at this point.

What’s Next for DeX Users?​

Here’s the reality: Samsung DeX as a feature will still exist. You’ll still be able to enjoy the dock-free, wireless benefits of using your Galaxy phone with peripherals and smart displays. What disappears is the specific ability to run DeX on Windows PCs.
For those lamenting the loss of the DeX app on Windows, though, Microsoft’s Phone Link offers a robust alternative, albeit with some differences in feature sets.

What Does Microsoft's Phone Link Offer?​

If you haven't explored Microsoft's Phone Link app, now's a good time to familiarize yourself with it. Previously named "Your Phone," Phone Link provides robust Galaxy to Windows integration:

• Syncing Notifications: Get real-time notifications from your phone on your PC, ensuring you never miss an important update while working.
• Text Messaging: Read and send SMS directly from your desktop.
• App Mirroring: Use select Samsung apps directly within Windows. Want Instagram or Samsung Notes on your large monitor? Phone Link can make that happen.
• File Sharing: Drag and drop files between your Galaxy phone and Windows with ease, no cables required.

While it’s not a one-to-one replacement for the desktop interface experience of DeX, Phone Link more than covers functionality like app and file access as well as inter-device synchronization.

Implications for the Windows Ecosystem​

This development further tightens the integration between Galaxy flagship devices and Microsoft's Windows ecosystem—good news if you’re big on cross-platform synergy. Yet, it could leave some die-hard DeX users scratching their heads about what hardware to invest in next.
Although it’s unlikely that Samsung’s move will cripple most existing users, it subtly pushes Android aficionados deeper into the Microsoft ecosystem, which is already flirting with Apple's ecosystem-building techniques. From the vantage point of convenience, Phone Link users won’t miss a beat—but the absence of DeX’s desktop-first philosophy could disappoint those who enjoyed a true multi-window Android-on-Windows approach.

For Users Who Prefer Alternatives​

If you’re not ready to jump on Microsoft Phone Link (or if it lacks the deep integration features you're used to), there are other tools you may consider:

• Samsung's Smart View: For mirroring your phone's screen on larger displays.
• Third-Party Tools: Vysor or scrcpy could provide similar mirroring functions for running Android apps or controlling your phone from a PC.

Wrapping Up: The Transition Ahead​

As One UI 7 hits beta testing in December 2024, Samsung DeX users on Windows PCs have a limited timeframe to prepare for this shift. By early 2025, your trusty DeX app will likely cease to function on Windows. While this is a change that demands adaptation, the alternatives available ensure that life after DeX will go on pretty smoothly for most users.
In storytelling terms, this marks the end of an era—Samsung's bold DeX hardware-centric dream giving way to the slick, software-driven schemes of cross-platform compatibility. It’s bittersweet, but it also speaks to the evolving needs of the Windows-Android intersection.
Have thoughts about Samsung's decision? Will you miss DeX for Windows or is Phone Link enough to satisfy your workflow needs? Let us know in the comments!

---

Source: PCWorld Samsung is discontinuing its DeX app for Windows PCs