Samsung’s DeX (short for “desktop experience”) revolutionized smartphone functionality when it launched in 2017. By allowing Galaxy phones to transform into desktop PCs via a dock, it catered to users seeking a portable productivity solution. Over the years, Samsung refined DeX, eliminating the dock in 2019 and introducing wireless DeX by 2020, accessible on Windows via the DeX app.
However, with the arrival of One UI 7, Samsung is ending support for the DeX app on Windows. Instead, users are being encouraged to transition to Microsoft’s Phone Link app for similar functionality. According to a small footnote spotted on the UK Samsung DeX page by Windows Central, “The DeX for PC on Windows OS will end support from One UI 7 version. We encourage customers to connect mobile phone and PC through the Link to Windows feature.” While this statement appears on the UK site, the US page lacks such an update, leaving ambiguity about whether this change will apply globally or is region-specific.
It’s worth noting that Samsung DeX as a feature isn’t disappearing. Users can still utilize DeX for connecting to external displays. What’s changing is the ability to access DeX via a Windows PC, a shift that aligns with Samsung’s deeper integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem. The Phone Link app, which facilitates phone-to-PC connections, offers similar features such as syncing notifications, sending texts, and running Android apps directly on Windows desktops.
One UI 7 is expected to enter beta testing in mid-December, with a full rollout anticipated in early 2025, starting in the US. This transition underscores Samsung’s strategy to consolidate functionality and leverage Microsoft’s well-established tools to maintain seamless phone-PC integration.
