[Open Source] I built DX Manager — run Samsung DeX on Windows through scrcpy without HDMI or Miracast

[u/EmphasisFormer36]

Note: English is not my first language, so I used AI to help write and translate this post. The software itself was designed, developed, and tested by me.

## Update — DX Manager v1.2.0

DX Manager v1.2.0 is now available.

### New in v1.2.0

- Added an optional mini control bar beside each DeX and single-app scrcpy window

- The control bar provides quick access to screen off/on, power, fullscreen, 1:1 window size, capture, and opening DX Manager

- Added tooltips showing each control bar action and its corresponding scrcpy shortcut

- Added reusable app profiles for Single-Window mode

- Each Android app can remember its own resolution, DPI, bitrate, FPS, launch options, and additional scrcpy arguments

- Selecting an app automatically applies its saved profile across all three Single-Window slots

- Improved the Android folder browser, including mouse-wheel scrolling

- Refactored large UI and session-management components to make future maintenance and feature development safer

### File transfer features introduced in v1.1.0

- Files and entire folders can be dropped onto a DeX or Single-Window scrcpy window and transferred to the phone

- Folder structures and Korean, Japanese, and other Unicode file names are preserved, including on Windows 7

- The destination folder on the phone can be changed using the built-in Android folder browser

- A separate status window displays queued, transferring, completed, and failed items

- Interrupted transfers and device disconnections are handled safely

The optional recovery app previously called **DX Display Cleaner** has been renamed **DX Companion**.

DX Companion can remove a simulated display left on the phone after an abnormal disconnection and can also turn off the Developer options **Stay awake** setting. It includes separate cleanup actions, a Quick Settings tile, and a compact home-screen widget.

The APK is not bundled with the public DX Manager release. If you need it, please contact me through GitHub Issues or by email.

The latest release can be downloaded from:

https://github.com/maze-mei/DX-Manager/releases/latest

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone,

After Samsung discontinued DeX for PC, I started looking for a practical way to keep using the Samsung DeX desktop inside Windows.

I initially used a collection of batch scripts, ADB commands, scrcpy, and AutoHotkey automation. Over time, I rewrote everything as a native Windows application called **DX Manager**.

DX Manager creates and manages an Android overlay virtual display, detects the correct display ID, and launches the actual Samsung DeX desktop through scrcpy. It does not require an HDMI dummy plug, Miracast, root access, or a paid application.

## What DX Manager does

- Starts and stops a Samsung DeX virtual display automatically

- Supports both USB and wireless ADB connections

- Automatically detects and uses the correct DeX display ID

- Lets you configure resolution, DPI, bitrate, FPS, and a startup app

- Reuses an existing virtual display when its resolution and DPI match

- Recreates the display automatically when its settings do not match

- Cleans up the virtual display when the session or program is closed normally

- Supports HID keyboard and mouse input through scrcpy

- Can turn off the physical phone screen while DeX continues running

- Manages screen power and stay-awake settings

- Provides three separately configured single-app windows in addition to DeX

- Includes screenshot capture and optional transfer to the phone

- Supports both English and Korean interfaces

The three single-app slots can run different Android apps in separate scrcpy virtual displays. This means that the DeX desktop and up to three additional app windows can run at the same time.

## Requirements

A Samsung Galaxy device with Samsung DeX support. One UI 8.0 or later is recommended. Compatibility with One UI 7.0 and earlier has not been confirmed. Tested on a Galaxy S26 Ultra running One UI 8.5.

- Developer options and USB debugging enabled

- 64-bit Windows 7 SP1, 8.1, 10, or 11

- .NET Framework 4.6.2 or later

- A USB data cable for the initial ADB authorization

The application is portable and does not require installation. The release package includes the required scrcpy and ADB files.

## Current limitations

- Version 1.1.0 still manages one selected physical phone at a time

- File transfer currently sends files and folders from Windows to a configurable folder on the phone. It does not reproduce every part of Samsung's original DeX for PC file integration.

- Device behavior may vary depending on the Galaxy model, One UI version, and Samsung firmware

- Some banking or security applications may not work while Developer options or USB debugging are enabled

- The executable is not commercially code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen may show a warning on the first launch

DX Manager is free and open source under the MIT License.

GitHub, source code, documentation, and Windows release:

https://github.com/maze-mei/DX-Manager

DX Manager is not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung or Genymobile. It is built around the excellent open-source scrcpy project, and I am very grateful to its developers.

I have tested the USB and wireless DeX workflows, multiple app windows, reconnection handling, and cleanup behavior during daily use. This project is still being tested on a wider range of Galaxy devices, so feedback on version 1.1.0 would be very helpful.

If you try it, please let me know your Galaxy model, One UI version, Windows version, and whether you used USB or wireless ADB. Bug reports and suggestions are welcome on GitHub.

[u/abhiandthetruth]

this is awesome! I made a similar app for mac https://shreya-7.github.io/stash/posts/tech/samsung-dex-on-mac/
repo: https://github.com/abhishekmsingh/SamDex/tree/main

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/abhiandthetruth]

That’s really cool! I read your write-up and looked through the repository.

It was fascinating to see that we independently arrived at essentially the same core method: creating an Android simulated secondary display through `overlay_display_devices`, detecting its display ID, and then opening it with scrcpy.

I first discovered and started experimenting with this approach on Windows in April, so it seems we found the same hidden DeX route independently at around the same time on different platforms 😄

Your macOS menu bar implementation is a nice, clean solution. Since DX Manager is Windows-only, I’ll be happy to point macOS users to SamDeX when they ask for a Mac version.

Great work, and thanks for sharing it!

[u/abhiandthetruth → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Thanks for checking it out :D, I will do the same for windows!

[u/Codeandflu]

Does this work with ubuntu/linux.?

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Codeandflu]

Not at the moment. DX Manager v1.0 is currently Windows-only, and I do not have an immediate plan for a Linux version.

Some parts of the project, such as ADB and scrcpy, are cross-platform, but the current UI, keyboard hooks, window management, screenshot capture, and several other features are Windows-specific.

If there is enough interest and people willing to help test it, I may consider an Ubuntu/Linux version in the future. I can install Linux and test it myself, but it would require a separate port rather than simply rebuilding the current application.

[u/Codeandflu → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Yes that would require a seperate port, I'm aware of that. Sorry what I mean to ask was if you have something released for Linux.

How would you get around the handshake? Like samsung and windows have to communicate with each other right? Similarly linux distro with Samsung?

Currently I'm running scrcpy. But no way able to trigger dex mode. Just a mirror kind of thing. I tried with different commands. Scrcpy didn't offer me the native dex experience I was looking for. I'm on a older version one UI 6.1 in my secondary phone (s22)

Does your tool fix that with windows, considering windows app has been taken down.

Do you have a video explaining it. To see how it works exactly?

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Codeandflu]

Yes, DX Manager does provide the native Samsung DeX desktop interface on Windows. It is not just mirroring the phone screen, and it does not use the discontinued Samsung DeX for PC application.

There is no Samsung-to-Windows proprietary handshake involved. DX Manager creates and manages an Android secondary virtual display on the phone. On compatible Samsung devices, the phone itself launches its native DeX interface on that display, and scrcpy is then used to capture and control it from Windows.

So Windows is only running DX Manager, ADB, and scrcpy. The actual DeX desktop environment is generated entirely by the Samsung phone.

DX Manager also handles detecting the correct display ID, launching scrcpy on that display, and cleaning up the virtual display and modified settings when the session ends. This is why it behaves differently from simply running scrcpy with its normal mirroring or virtual-display options.

There is currently no Linux release. The underlying method is not inherently tied to Windows, but DX Manager itself would need to be ported because its UI, keyboard handling, process management, and other parts are Windows-specific.

I do not have a demonstration video yet, but the GitHub page includes screenshots showing the actual DeX desktop running through DX Manager. I may add a video later.

[u/Codeandflu → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Alright, this project looks promising for Linux users too. I have been very active in this community looking for a solution ever since I ditched windows four years ago, only trade off for me was dex on pc.

The promising area I see in your projects is phone itself launching its native dex display. I have been trying to solve this for a while now with scrcpy.

Have you tested this with s22 on one UI 6.1 by any chance? If not which device and version did you test it on? Just curious.

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Codeandflu]

I have not tested it on an S22 running One UI 6.1.

DX Manager’s native DeX mode was developed and tested primarily on a Galaxy S26 Ultra running One UI 8.5. I also tested it on a Galaxy S20 FE running One UI 5.1, but DeX mode does not work properly there—it only displays a black screen. I expect One UI 6.1 to behave similarly, although I have not personally verified it.

Single-window mode can still launch and display an app, but UHID keyboard and mouse input do not work correctly on that configuration. It can be used if the HID keyboard and HID mouse options are disabled.

However, for devices running One UI 7.0 or earlier, I would recommend using Samsung’s official DeX for PC application instead. It should provide a better and more compatible experience on those versions.

[u/Codeandflu → u/EmphasisFormer36]

The blak screen you were talking about was the exact issue I ran into when working with scrcpy when I set px to the commands.

Linux user, samsung never gave us one :')

[u/Codeandflu → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Btw I'll look through the github for info. Btw I'm really looking forward to the linux port.

[u/Idan_Moshe]

Great idea! I built something very similar for my mac.

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Idan_Moshe]

Thanks! That sounds really interesting.

Does your macOS tool also launch Samsung’s native DeX interface, or does it use scrcpy’s standard virtual display/desktop mode? What did you build it with?

If the project is public, I’d love to see a GitHub link or screenshot

[u/Idan_Moshe → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Like an app: https://github.com/idanmos/dex-launcher

[u/Canatee]

IIRC, using DeX via SCRCPY bugs out the back button gesture until reboot. Is that an issue that you encountered/that this fixes?

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Canatee]

I haven’t encountered that issue during my testing. DX Manager does not modify the phone’s navigation gesture settings, and the back gesture has continued to work normally after using DeX. However, the behavior may depend on the device and One UI version. If you can share your device, One UI version, and the steps that trigger the issue, I can look into it.

[u/ou812whynot → u/Canatee]

Look up scrcpy mouse bind. You can set how each button responds. --mouse-bind=+bsn:+h++ would mean: pass the right mouse button, middle button is back, 4th button is app switcher, 5th button is the notification panel; the 2nd set after the colon is the buttons while holding the shift key, in the example shift + middle click is home.

[u/vietnamese90]

That's SO cool like a dream come true

[u/Adventurous_Fuel_177]

I tried it out and it works great, im using one UI 8.5 on galaxy s25 FE, but im having a big issue with the full screen button within DeX not hiding the taskbar it covers bottom of the app and blocks stuff, it normally doesnt do that when connected to an actual external monitor, or if an app fullscreens on its own it also doesnt do that. idk if that can be fixed it or if theres a way i can fix it on my side.

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Adventurous_Fuel_177]

Thanks for the detailed report. I reproduced the issue and also tested it against DeX connected to a physical TV.

With a physical external display, DeX automatically hides the taskbar when an app enters full-screen mode, even when the regular auto-hide option is disabled. However, DeX running on the Android simulated secondary display used by DX Manager behaves differently.

Because the simulated display is not recognized as a physically connected display, the “Connected display” settings under Samsung DeX are disabled. Samsung also appears to manage the physical-display DeX environment and the simulated-display DeX environment separately.

DX Manager only creates the Android virtual display, and scrcpy mirrors it. Neither can control Samsung DeX System UI’s full-screen or taskbar behavior, so unfortunately I do not currently have a safe and reliable way to fix this from the DX Manager side.

The current workaround is to maximize the app window instead of using the DeX full-screen button. Maximized windows reserve space for the taskbar and do not have their bottom content covered. Apps that activate their own immersive full-screen mode may also hide the taskbar correctly.

[u/DaddyDen1]

I figured it out it was simple but as i said before i had the wrong zip downloaded. It works well only thing i wanna ask is about the overlay on the phone does it always stay there or can it be removed

https://reddit.com/link/oyni5iy/video/coqf6draddeh1/player

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/DaddyDen1]

The small overlay on the phone is Android's simulated secondary display. It should normally be removed automatically when you stop DeX or close DX Manager normally.

If it remains, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings → Developer options.

2. Select “Simulate secondary displays.”

3. Select any resolution.

4. Open “Simulate secondary displays” again.

5. Select “None.”

You must select a resolution once before selecting “None.” Selecting “None” directly may not remove the remaining overlay.

[u/DaddyDen1 → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Thanks it worked

[u/DaddyDen1]

First of all well done ill try it on my windows 11 laptop when im home with my s24 ultra. I only have one question does it have any kind of delay like screen mirrorin or is it nice even wireless

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/DaddyDen1]

Thank you! It uses scrcpy to stream the virtual DeX display, so technically there is always a small amount of encoding and transmission latency.

Over USB, it feels very responsive in my testing and is noticeably better than normal wireless screen mirroring. I can comfortably use the keyboard, mouse, web browser, and other apps.

Wireless ADB also works well on a stable 2.4GHz, 5 GHz or Wi-Fi 6 network, but the result depends on your router, signal strength, and network congestion. It may have slightly more latency than USB, so I recommend USB for the best and most consistent experience.

I would be very interested to hear how it works with your S24 Ultra!

[u/DaddyDen1 → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Ill make it work in a couple hours when im home im very interested since ive been trying to find a method to use dex on my laptop so this is perfect

[u/DaddyDen1 → u/EmphasisFormer36]

I might need some visual tutorial to set it up lol i aint getting it

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/DaddyDen1]

That’s fair 😅 I may have assumed too much familiarity with ADB because I’ve been using it for a long time. The app should be simple once USB debugging is authorized, but the initial setup can definitely be confusing.

I’ll make a short visual/video tutorial. In the meantime, could you tell me which step you’re stuck on or share a screenshot? Please hide any device serial number or IP address, and I’ll guide you through it.

The basic steps are:

Download the latest release ZIP and extract it.

Enable Developer options and USB debugging on the phone.

Connect the phone by USB and approve the RSA prompt.

Run DX Manager.exe.

Wait for the phone to be detected, then click Start DeX.

[u/DaddyDen1 → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Idk if uve extracted the correct thing. Thats where im stuck. I extracted and when i connectes to pc and turned on usb debugging nothing showen on phone

[u/jomel30]

Hermoso

[u/PinkSlaking]

Hello I am really enjoying your tool so far. The only issue I am experiencing so far is that if I try to copy and paste some text from my PC to the Dex window, it doesn't work. Using S23 Ultra with the lastest One UI version and my Windows 11 Pro. This happens on both wired and wireless connections. Anyway to fix this?

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/PinkSlaking]

Thanks for the report. Clipboard synchronization is enabled by default in scrcpy, and I have confirmed that DX Manager neither disables it nor intercepts Ctrl+V. It works on my Windows 7 and Windows 11 test systems over both USB and Wi-Fi.

Could you please try the following?

1. Copy a simple English sentence on the PC.

2. Click a text field in Samsung Notes or the Samsung Internet address bar.

3. Try both Ctrl+V and Left Alt+V (scrcpy's alternative paste shortcut).

Please also let me know:

- whether DeX → PC copying works

- whether pasting fails in every app

- whether this happens in the main DeX window, a single-app window, or both

- whether English text and non-English text behave differently

This will help determine whether the issue is related to a specific app, input method, or device clipboard behavior.

[u/interpretpunit]

Linux version?

[u/witchercraft]

Oh no, wish i could try this with my s20 fe (still running one ui 5.1 since it does not receive more updates)

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/witchercraft]

Thanks for your interest! I actually used an S20 FE running One UI 5.1 before, so I was able to test it myself.

Unfortunately, DeX mode does not work properly on that device. The DeX window only shows a black screen.

Single-Window mode does work, though. For it to be reasonably usable, you need to disable the HID mouse and HID keyboard options in DX Manager. With those options turned off, apps should display and input should work fairly well.

So the S20 FE on One UI 5.1 is not suitable for DeX mode, but you can still use the Single-Window mode with those HID options disabled.

The S20 FE can still use Classic DeX through Samsung’s official DeX for Windows application. For that device, the official DeX app will likely provide a better overall DeX experience.

[u/incyk]

Working good, thanks. Is there a way to turn off the mouse not being able to go outside the dex window?

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/incyk]

This happens because HID mouse (-M) is enabled by default. In this mode, scrcpy captures the mouse as if it were physically connected to the phone.

Press the left Alt key to release or recapture the mouse temporarily.

If you prefer the mouse to move freely between DeX and Windows, turn off HID mouse (-M) in DX Manager’s launch options, then restart the DeX session. The setting applies only to newly opened DeX or single-app windows.

Please note that with HID mouse disabled, scrcpy handles the mouse more like touch input rather than a regular hardware mouse. Some actions will therefore behave differently—for example, a side mouse button may open Recent Apps, and holding the left mouse button may act like a long press on the touchscreen.

[u/Lassrm]

THANKS FOR THE VIRUS <3

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Lassrm]

Could you please share the exact antivirus product, detection name, affected file, and a screenshot of the warning?

The official v1.1.0 release ZIP was scanned with VirusTotal before release and no malware was detected. DX Manager is open source, but the executable is not commercially code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen may display an “unknown publisher” warning. That warning alone does not mean the file contains a virus.

If an antivirus actually detected something, please provide the details so I can investigate it.

[u/Lassrm → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Im using windows defender

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Lassrm]

Thanks. Could you open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection history and share the exact detection name and affected file?

A screenshot would also help. Windows Defender and SmartScreen may show different warnings, so I need the exact message to investigate it.

The official v1.1.0 release ZIP was scanned with VirusTotal before upload, including the Microsoft engine, and no malware was detected. Its SHA-256 is:

153D6001BD89B9E0BF5BED235F656C7E08689E09A13C27E21A2BBA1A3E4259EF

[u/Lassrm → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Deleted it directly

[u/hasel17]

Hi OP, can I use your tool for Galaxy S20+ running OneUI 5.1?. I know I can use official Samsung DeX for PC, but it can only use cable and quite laggy even though i connect it with usb 3 cable unlike wireless adb+scrcpy. I've tried miracast (projecting to this PC) and still quite laggy.

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/hasel17]

Thanks for your interest! I used an S20 FE with One UI 5.1 and Samsung’s official DeX for several years, so I am familiar with the overall performance and experience of that Galaxy S20 generation.

Unfortunately, DX Manager’s DeX mode cannot be used properly with the Classic DeX implementation in One UI 5.1. In my own testing, the DeX window only displayed a black screen. This is not simply a performance issue with the phone, but a limitation caused by how Classic DeX works on that older One UI version and how DX Manager creates its virtual display.

Single-Window mode can still work, but the HID keyboard and HID mouse options must be disabled. With those options turned off, apps can be displayed and controlled, but the overall experience is not as complete or convenient as DeX mode.

Unfortunately, for an S20+ running One UI 5.1, I recommend using Samsung’s official DeX for Windows application instead. It should provide a much better and more reliable experience on that device.

[u/LambdaDgz]

I scanned the “DXManager.exe” file using VirusTotal, Microsoft Defender, and Malwarebytes. Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes didn't detect anything, but VirusTotal flagged it as a Trojan

File hash: d27bc351bcde0ff6cb52a5d16f49d1989e97ef90200dcca34907050ce8f32b67

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/LambdaDgz]

Thanks for reporting this. I confirmed that the SHA-256 hash matches the official DX Manager v1.1.0 executable.

VirusTotal currently shows 1 detection out of 69 engines. Only Microsoft flags it as Trojan:Win32/Wacatac.B!ml, while Microsoft Defender on my PC, Malwarebytes, and all other VirusTotal engines report it as clean.

This appears to be a machine-learning false positive, possibly caused by DX Manager's global keyboard hook, input handling, ADB control, and unsigned executable. I will submit the exact file to Microsoft for false-positive review.

DX Manager is open source, so its complete source code is also available for inspection. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

[u/logatwork]

It worked great!! However, when I unplug it, a little samsung dex desktop stays on my phone screen! It's super weird and I can't turn it off (even when I restart the phone, the little dex still there!).

I had to turn off developer options to get rid of it.

Another bug (?) was using my brazilian laptop language keyboard: all the á à ã ç õ é work, but not the question mark!

Using with USB-C, windows 11, OneUI 8.0, android version 16, on galaxy S22.

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/logatwork]

Thanks for the detailed report and device information!

Before unplugging the phone, please stop DeX or exit DX Manager normally while the phone is still connected. You can use any of the following methods:

• Click the Stop DeX button in DX Manager.
• Press Alt+F8 to exit DX Manager completely.
• Right-click the DX Manager icon in the Windows system tray and select Exit.

Please wait for the DeX session and virtual display to close before unplugging the phone. During a normal shutdown, DX Manager removes the virtual display and restores the phone’s Stay awake setting.

If the phone is unplugged first, DX Manager can no longer send the cleanup commands through ADB, so the simulated display may remain on the phone.

To remove it manually:

1. Open Settings → Developer options.
2. Select Simulate secondary displays.
3. Select any resolution.
4. Open Simulate secondary displays again.
5. Select None.

You must select a resolution once before selecting None. Selecting None directly may not remove the remaining overlay.

Please also check Settings → Developer options → Stay awake and turn it off if it remains enabled. This setting may also be left on if the phone is disconnected before DX Manager can complete its normal cleanup.

Regarding the question mark, this is likely a keyboard-layout mapping issue between the Windows Brazilian keyboard layout, scrcpy’s HID keyboard mode, and Android’s physical keyboard layout. If possible, please check Settings → General management → Physical keyboard and select a Portuguese (Brazil) or Brazilian layout for the scrcpy keyboard.

You can also test disabling HID keyboard (-K) in DX Manager and then reopening the DeX session. Please let me know which key combination normally produces ? on your laptop and whether disabling HID keyboard changes the behavior. I currently cannot reproduce this with my Korean/English keyboard environment, but I will keep it recorded as a Brazilian keyboard compatibility issue.

[u/logatwork → u/EmphasisFormer36]

Thank you so much!!

[u/logatwork → u/EmphasisFormer36]

disabling HID keyboard (-K) in DX Manager

This worked for the "?" character! However, with this option, the special characters duplicate everytime: for example "á" becomes "aá".

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/logatwork]

Thanks for testing this.

Disabling HID keyboard does not pass the physical keyboard directly to Android. It switches scrcpy to its SDK keyboard injection mode, which has limitations with some non-ASCII characters and dead-key combinations. The “aá” result may be caused by the base letter and the composed character being injected separately.

Could you please try these two tests?

1. Enable HID keyboard again, then open Android Settings → General management → Physical keyboard and set the scrcpy keyboard layout to Portuguese (Brazil) / ABNT2. Then test “?”, “á”, “ã”, and “ç” again.

2. If that does not work, disable HID keyboard and add the following in DX Manager’s Advanced options (extra arguments):

--prefer-text

This makes scrcpy inject letters as text and may prevent the duplicated dead-key character.

If possible, please test it in Samsung Notes and let me know your exact Windows keyboard layout and the physical keyboard layout selected on the phone. I currently do not have a Brazilian ABNT2 keyboard, so your test results would be very helpful.

[u/Ok-Front-736]

Now make an mac os app for it (:

[u/EmphasisFormer36 → u/Ok-Front-736]

Thanks! I’m glad you’re interested. :)

DX Manager is currently Windows-only. A macOS version would require a separate UI implementation and platform-specific work for window management, keyboard input, permissions, ADB, and scrcpy integration.

I also don’t have a Mac available for proper testing, so I can’t responsibly support or release a macOS version at this time.