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Samsung DeX on a MacBook (Apple silicon) in 2026

Yes, you can run Samsung DeX on an M1, M2, M3, M4 or M5 MacBook. Just not with Samsung's app. The old DeX for Mac app never got an Apple silicon version, and Samsung retired it in January 2022. Galaxy phones with One UI 8 or later can now send DeX to a window on any Mac, though. scrcpy (free, from Terminal) and Deskbridge ($12, a menu-bar app) both run natively on Apple silicon. Plug in a USB-C cable or pair over Wi-Fi, and DeX opens in a resizable window on your MacBook's screen.

Updated November 3, 2026 · We make Deskbridge

What you need

A MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (Apple silicon or Intel) on macOS 13 Ventura or later.
A Galaxy phone, foldable or tablet with One UI 8 or later. Check Settings › About phone › Software information › One UI version. More on compatible phones.
A USB-C cable that carries data, or a Wi-Fi network both devices share.

Set it up

On the phone, turn on Developer options (Settings › About phone › Software information › tap Build number seven times), then turn on USB debugging.
Install Deskbridge on the Mac, or brew install scrcpy if you'd rather use the free route.
Plug the phone into the MacBook and tap Allow on the phone's debugging prompt.
Deskbridge opens DeX on its own. With scrcpy, run the command from our scrcpy guide.

Making DeX feel at home on a laptop

Trackpad gestures: two-finger scroll works in DeX like a mouse wheel. Right-click (two-finger tap) opens context menus.
Keyboard: type straight into DeX apps with the MacBook keyboard, and copy and paste between macOS and the phone. Deskbridge keeps ⌘ shortcuts (⌘H, ⌘B and so on) for controlling the window.
Sharp text on Retina: pick a higher resolution and a larger text size in Deskbridge's menu, or pass --new-display=2560x1600/240 to scrcpy.
Battery: the phone charges from the MacBook over the cable. With Secure Blackout, the phone's own screen stays dark while DeX runs.
Full screen: put the DeX window in its own macOS Space with the green button and swipe between macOS and your phone desktop.

Does it slow the MacBook down?

The phone does the work of running DeX, apps and all. The Mac only decodes a video stream, which Apple silicon handles in dedicated hardware, so the load on the MacBook stays light.

FAQ

Does the old Samsung DeX for Mac app work on M1 or later?

No. Samsung only built it for Intel Macs, stopped supporting it in January 2022, and it doesn't work with current phones. Use scrcpy or Deskbridge instead.

Can I use DeX on a MacBook without a cable?

Yes. Pair the phone once with Wireless debugging (Android 11+), and DeX opens over Wi-Fi. A cable gives the lowest lag and charges the phone.

Will DeX use the MacBook's display at full resolution?

You choose the resolution. DeX renders at whatever size you set, up to the MacBook's native resolution, and the window can be resized or made full screen.

Can I plug an external monitor into my MacBook and use DeX on it?

Yes. The DeX window is an ordinary Mac window, so you can drag it to any display connected to the Mac.

DeX on your MacBook in one click

A native Apple silicon and Intel app. Free for 7 days, then $12 once.

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