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Samsung DeX for Mac alternative (2026)
There's no official Samsung DeX app for Mac anymore: Samsung ended DeX for PC on macOS in January 2022. But Galaxy phones on One UI 8 or later can still run the full DeX desktop on a virtual display, and two tools show it in a window on your Mac: the free, open-source scrcpy (set up in Terminal) and Deskbridge ($12 once, opens DeX when you plug in).
Updated November 6, 2026
What you probably want
The old DeX for PC experience: plug in your Galaxy, and its DeX desktop (taskbar, resizable windows, your phone's apps) appears in a window on your Mac, driven by your Mac's keyboard and trackpad. Not a mirror of the phone screen, and not a second monitor on your desk.
The options on a Mac
| Option | DeX desktop in a Mac window? | Cost | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deskbridge | Yes, on One UI 8+ | $12 once (7-day free trial) | Menu-bar app; opens when you plug in, USB or Wi-Fi |
| scrcpy (free, open source) | Yes, on One UI 8+ | Free | Terminal commands each time (our tested guide) |
| DeX on a monitor or TV | No: needs a separate screen | A monitor/cable | Built into the phone |
| Screen-mirroring apps | No: they show the phone's own screen | Varies | App on Mac and phone |
Why One UI 8 made this possible again
On One UI 8 and later, when Android creates a new virtual display, a Galaxy phone starts the full DeX desktop on it. That's a standard Android feature, so no Samsung software is needed on the Mac: a tool that creates the display and streams it gets you real DeX, with your Mac's keyboard, trackpad and speakers. On older One UI versions you only get a mirror of the phone screen.
Requirements
- A Samsung Galaxy phone with DeX on One UI 8 or later (which phones).
- A Mac on macOS 13 or later, Apple silicon or Intel.
- USB debugging turned on once on the phone (both scrcpy and Deskbridge need it).
scrcpy or Deskbridge?
If you're comfortable in Terminal and only need the desktop now and then, scrcpy is free and works well. Deskbridge wraps the same idea in a Mac app and adds what DeX for PC never had: DeX opening by itself when you plug in, Wi-Fi after the first USB connection, a dark phone screen that doesn't freeze DeX, call and notification banners on your Mac, and Android apps in their own Mac windows.
Have a Pixel instead?
Pixels on Android 16 QPR3 or later have their own desktop mode, which also needs an external display. Deskbridge's Pixel desktop mode on Mac support is in beta and not yet verified on a physical Pixel, so start with the free trial.
FAQ
Is there a Samsung DeX app for Mac in 2026?
No. Samsung ended DeX for PC on macOS in January 2022 and there is no official replacement for Mac. Galaxy phones on One UI 8 or later can run DeX on a virtual display, which third-party tools show in a Mac window.
What is the best DeX for Mac alternative?
If you want the real DeX desktop in a window on your Mac: the free, open-source scrcpy (set up in Terminal) or Deskbridge ($12 once, a menu-bar app that opens DeX when you plug in). Screen-mirroring apps show your phone's screen, not the DeX desktop.
Do I need a monitor for DeX on a Mac?
No. On One UI 8 or later the phone starts DeX on a virtual display, so the DeX desktop appears in a Mac window with your Mac's keyboard and trackpad.
Does this work with a Google Pixel?
Pixels on Android 16 QPR3 or later have their own desktop mode. Deskbridge's Pixel support is in beta and not yet verified on a physical Pixel, so try the free trial first.
Get DeX back on your Mac
Free for 7 days: plug in and see it work. Then $12, once. 14-day refund.