If you have a modern Galaxy and you like to tinker with it, you've probably wondered at some point if it is possible to combine Samsung DeX with a complete Linux environment to work as if your mobile phone were a computer. The idea sounds very powerful: connect the phone to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, and boot up a Linux desktop with your favorite development, office, or system administration tools.
For a time, that vision was very close to becoming official thanks to Linux on DeX (or Linux on Galaxy)A Samsung initiative that many advanced users remember with a certain nostalgia. Official support no longer exists, but the community has found a way to make it work: TermuxPROOT, CHROOT, Termux X11, virglrenderer and a bunch of other tricks allow you to keep Linux running inside DeX if you're willing to dedicate some time to it.
Linux on DeX: Samsung's initial bet and why it's so highly regarded
A few years ago, Samsung surprised the community by introducing Linux on DeX as the perfect complement to DeX modeThe proposal was brilliant: to run a complete Linux distribution within the phone itself, taking advantage of the desktop interface offered by DeX when connecting the mobile phone or tablet to an external screen.
In practice, the Linux distribution functioned like just another Android application, but underneath There was a complete Linux operating system with its own graphical environment and native applicationsIn official demonstrations, programs like GIMP or Firefox were seen running completely normally, which opened up a huge range of uses for developers, designers, and advanced users.
The beta was launched in a fairly limited way: only users of Galaxy Note9 and Galaxy Tab S4 with Android Oreo or higherAnd you had to enroll in a special developer program. Even so, those who participated in that phase speak of enormous potential, especially in the educational field and in programming tasks.
A very common case was that of computer science and technical discipline teachers who They used Linux on DeX in class to demonstrate development environments and local servers without relying on a classroom full of PCs. For these people, their Galaxy literally became the teacher's computer, capable of running a complete Linux desktop simply by connecting an HDMI cable.
Eventually, the beta came to an end and Samsung has stopped updating official information about Linux on DeX.The show's website froze, and forums were flooded with questions about whether the project would ever return. To this day, there are no official announcements of its return, but the memory of that experience remains very much alive among those who enjoyed it.
The mobile-PC convergence vision behind DeX and Linux
Beyond the Linux on DeX beta, the underlying idea was clear: bringing the smartphone closer to the role of a desktop computer. Samsung DeX It is, in fact, one of the most mature proposals in this sense, allowing you to use your mobile phone or tablet as a "mini PC" by connecting them to a large screen.
Linux on Galaxy fit naturally into this strategy because The dock and DeX mode brought the desktop interface to lifeMeanwhile, Linux provided the operating system preferred by the development community and many technical professionals. In developer talks, Samsung demonstrated how this combination allowed the use of desktop editors, programming tools, and browsers with quite decent performance on a mobile device.
The initial documentation mentioned compatibility with Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and later versionsSamsung emphasized that Linux is the reference environment for much of the software world. Samsung's move was in line with what other companies were doing simultaneously, such as the ability to install Linux distributions from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10.
Although the beta version was frozen, the current situation has improved: Today's high-end mobile phones easily outperform many laptops from a few years ago.And with remote work becoming increasingly common, the idea of reviving an updated Linux on DeX is particularly appealing to both users and Samsung itself.
Why are so many users asking for Linux on DeX to return?
If you browse official forums or user communities, you'll see that every so often someone appears complaining: “Samsung, devolve Linux on DeX, now it would work.”It's not just a nostalgic request; there are very solid arguments supporting that idea.
The first point is hardware. Models like the The Galaxy S24 Ultra and other recent high-end phones have CPUs, GPUs, and memory worthy of work laptops.In addition to fast storage and plenty of connectivity, running a full Linux desktop today would be much smoother and more stable than in the days of the Note9 and the Tab S4.
The way we work has also changed. More and more people It combines remote work, mobility, and leisure on the same devicesAnd they greatly appreciate being able to carry a complete system without a separate laptop. For developers, engineering students, or system administrators, a Linux integrated into DeX would be an incredible tool: IDEs, containers, servers, text-based tools… all accessible from their phone.
Another recurring argument is integration into the Galaxy ecosystem. Enthusiastic users suggest that Linux on DeX will return as a native feature of DeX mode.allowing you to switch from Android to Linux from the same interface, without strange intermediate applications and with support for a wide range of mobile phones and tablets.
Finally, the community factor must be taken into account. The number of people interested in Linux continues to grow, and A good portion of that audience would be delighted to have a native Linux environment on their GalaxyFor Samsung, this would be a very clear way to differentiate itself from Apple and other Android manufacturers, winning over technical profiles that often have a significant influence on brand choice among family and friends.
What exactly was Linux on DeX and what devices did it support?
During the beta period, Samsung progressively expanded The list of devices compatible with Linux on DeXThe idea was always the same: to leverage DeX to offer a Linux-based “desktop experience”, using the smartphone or tablet as the system's brain.
Initially, support was limited to Galaxy Note9 and the Galaxy Tab S4However, a subsequent update expanded compatibility to a whole new generation of devices. Specifically, it could also be used with the Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e, and S10 5G, in addition to the Galaxy S9, S9+, and the Galaxy Tab S5e tablet; it was even verified to work on the Galaxy Note 8.
The basis of the system remained a A customized version of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS maintained by SamsungIt was an extended support edition that continued to receive security updates for years. Everything pointed to the next logical step being to jump to Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, but the project was put on hold before that update was officially released.
It is important to understand that, although marketing talked about “turning the mobile phone into a PC”, Linux on DeX was designed as a basic PC geared towards light tasks and productivity.It wasn't intended to replace a professional workstation or a powerful gaming rig, but rather to make better use of the phone's hardware when you were at a desk with a monitor and peripherals.
The beauty of it was that, by connecting an external screen and a keyboard and mouse (or simply using the device's touchscreen), You could enjoy a complete Linux environment anywhereFor many people, this largely justified the price of a high-end Galaxy by multiplying its possible uses.
From the official solution to workarounds: how to get Linux on Samsung DeX today
The demise of Linux on DeX did not stop the community, which immediately began exploring alternative paths to Setting up a Linux environment within DeX using Android toolsThe most widespread approach currently involves combining Termux with PROOT or CHROOT environments and graphical clients such as Termux X11.
The typical starting point is to install Termux as a terminal and base environment in AndroidFrom there, you can set up a Linux system that runs in a PROOT container (without root access) or a CHROOT container (if your device is rooted). There are public projects that offer ready-to-use scripts and configurations, saving a lot of manual work.
Among the most popular options for non-root environments, the following stand out: Termux-Desktops by LinuxDroidMaster developerLinux Deploy provides several pre-configured desktops and distributions to boot from PROOT. For those with root access seeking higher performance, Linux Deploy is often recommended, as it simplifies the creation of Linux systems in CHROOT.
Linux Deploy is responsible for Download the distribution, prepare the image, define the boot type, and configure the graphical serverThis allows you to get a pretty decent desktop without having to struggle with too many complicated commands, which is ideal if you want something functional with minimal time investment.
If you want to understand the whole process in depth, there are advanced guides that explain how set up a CHROOT environment “by hand” within TermuxThese guides detail step-by-step how to create the file system, configure users, integrate with Android, and boot a graphical server that looks good in DeX. It's more laborious, but perfect for learning.
PROOT vs. CHROOT: Using Linux without root or squeezing it with root
One of the key decisions when considering using Linux in DeX is choosing between a PROOT environment without root or a CHROOT with root accessBoth models allow you to have your own Linux file hierarchy, with your /home, /etc, etc., but they differ considerably in speed and capabilities.
PROOT-based setups operate in user mode, so They do not require modifying the system or rooting the deviceFor most users, it's the logical choice because it avoids headaches with the warranty, OTA updates, and the potential security problems that rooting entails.
The price to pay is that PROOT introduces a translation layer that It slightly penalizes performance and limits direct access to the hardware.For light or console-based tasks it's usually more than enough, but if you want to get the most out of the CPU and GPU, it might fall short.
With a CHROOT the movie changes quite a bit, because The Linux system runs more directly on top of Android.This allows you to make better use of the device's power, improve input/output, and make graphics acceleration solutions much more effective, in exchange for assuming the risks associated with having a rooted device.
Those who opt for CHROOT usually use Linux Deploy to simplify the installation, but it's also common to find tutorials that explain how Create the file system, mount the necessary points, and launch the desktop environment alongside an efficient X server like Termux X11.With some patience, you can achieve results very close to what the official beta offered.
Termux X11 and virglrenderer: a fluid Linux desktop within DeX
Once you have the Linux base up and running, the next challenge is Display the desktop and graphical applications smoothly in Samsung DeXAt first, many people used VNC, but the experience wasn't the best: lag, low image quality, and the feeling of always being one step behind your movements.
That's where Termux X11 comes in, a component specifically designed to offer an optimized X graphics server within the Termux and Android ecosystemInstead of connecting to a remote desktop, you're launching the X server directly on the device, which greatly improves latency and responsiveness.
Users who have tried both approaches often comment that Termux X11 is significantly faster than a traditional VNC server.Especially when working in DeX mode with a mouse and keyboard. Window navigation, scrolling, and typing become much more natural, which is key if you plan to use this for several hours a day.
Furthermore, if you add virglrenderer to enable some 3D accelerationThe leap in quality is even greater. With the right configuration, you can even run Linux applications with advanced graphical support, something that seemed like science fiction on a mobile device just a few years ago.
Various tutorials and projects like Termux-Desktops explain How to activate virglrenderer in both PROOT and CHROOT environmentsBy adjusting environment variables and leveraging the device's GPU capabilities, the result is a fairly capable Linux desktop for graphics tasks, multimedia playback, and even some simple games within DeX.
Recording the screen in DeX when working with Linux: methods with and without root
Whoever sets up this whole operation usually wants to show it off, and that's precisely where a recurring problem arises: Samsung's screen recorder sometimes doesn't appear as an option within DeXThis makes it much harder to create video tutorials or show others your Linux desktop running on your mobile device.
Some curious users have started investigating and have discovered Ways to manually launch the screen recorder using ADB or TermuxThis usually requires root permissions. The basic idea is to directly start the recording app's internal activity using the "am start" command.
From Termux, for example, you can use a command like this: su am start -n com.samsung.android.app.smartcapture/com.samsung.android.app.screenrecorder.ScreenRecorderStarterActivity -a com.samsung.android.app.screenrecorder.ACTION_START -ez FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK trueIn an ADB shell the idea is similar, encapsulating the command within a “su -c” to elevate permissions.
For those who don't want to (or can't) use root, an interesting alternative is analyze the logcat of the screen recorder process and experiment with automation tools like Llamalab's Automate. Automate lets you create visual flows that launch system activities, manage intents, and interact with widgets, so you could set up a shortcut that starts recording without touching the classic menu.
If all of this seems too complicated, there is still one other possibility: pull the native binary /system/bin/screenrecord accessible from ADB or from a shellThis utility allows you to record what happens on the screen, although without audio, but it is very useful for capturing DeX sessions or demonstrations of your Linux desktop.
The usual procedure involves first looking at the help with /system/bin/screenrecord -help and then locate the identifiers of the physical screens using dumpsys SurfaceFlinger -display-idThis last command returns a list of screens with long IDs like “Display 4613571866842539268…”, and that number is the one that must then be passed to screenrecord with the display-id option.
A real-world example of use would be something like screenrecord -display-id 4613571866842539268 /sdcard/Download/tmp_file_1.mp4 To record the output of the external monitor connected to DeX and save the video to the Download folder. To stop the recording, simply press Ctrl + C in the terminal from which you launched the command, and the file will be ready to share or edit.
Useful tweaks in Samsung DeX to improve your Linux experience
It's not all about booting up Linux; it also helps a lot to know certain Samsung DeX settings that make everyday life more convenientOne of the most useful features is the additional screen dimming for those who work in dimly lit environments or with very bright monitors.
Within Settings > Accessibility > Visibility Enhancements > Additional Dimming, you can activate a layer that It darkens the screen further and allows you to adjust the intensity of that dimming.It's a simple detail, but it's appreciated when you spend hours in front of the monitor using DeX, whether with Android or with a Linux desktop on top.
Another key aspect is the keyboard. In Linux environments, especially if you use the terminal a lot, Having your key mapping and shortcuts properly configured makes all the difference.Applications like Keymapper, which is open source, allow you to remap key combinations, launch applications, and create custom shortcuts that work very well with DeX.
If you need something even more advanced, Automate comes back into play because It allows you to build complex flows that react to keystrokes, system changes, or app events.You can even get Keymapper and Automate to collaborate, sending intents and broadcasts to trigger actions both on Android and within your DeX sessions.
It is also worth mentioning the which is independent of Android developer optionsActivating it unlocks additional desktop environment settings related to window behavior, app compatibility, and other useful parameters for fine-tuning the experience.
To activate it, go to Settings > Samsung DeX > About Samsung DeX within DeX and Tap quickly five times on the title “Samsung DeX”A message will appear asking you to confirm enabling developer options, and after accepting and restarting DeX, you will see that new menu in the settings.
It's a good idea to combine it with the option of “Multi-window for all apps” available in Settings > Advanced features > Labsor from DeX's own developer options. This feature forces virtually any app to open in resizable windows, even if it wasn't originally designed for large screens.
Force mobile apps and access the One UI launcher from the DeX desktop
A common complaint from heavy DeX users is encountering applications that They resist working in desktop mode or behave strangely when resizedAlthough developer mode and labs solve part of the problem, the community has discovered some other tricks to take advantage of the system.
Among these tricks, one stands out as a kind of "bug turned into a function" that allows Get the classic One UI launcher within a DeX environmentIn practice, you see your home screens, icons, and widgets as if you were in mobile mode, but without leaving the DeX desktop.
The most discussed method involves installing a backup app such as Swift Backup from Google PlayYou don't need to use it to make backups; just open it, go to the applications section, select any app and tap the three-dot menu to choose the "Add to home screen" option.
By accepting, for some reason, the system It changes the active launcher and displays the One UI launcher, with its home screens, widgets, and app drawer.While maintaining the taskbar and DeX floating windows, it's a kind of hybrid mode that combines the best of both worlds in a single view.
If you want to return to the classic DeX experience, simply Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable or use the keyboard shortcut Windows + W twice to switch modes. This way you can play with this hybrid state when you want access to widgets or shortcuts specific to mobile mode.
This option is especially useful if you are using a Linux desktop in Termux X11 running simultaneously with Android applicationsBecause it allows you to quickly access widgets, settings, and apps that you would normally only see in mobile mode, all without giving up DeX's resizable windows.
Ideas and proposals for a possible return of Linux in DeX
With the experience gained since the Linux on DeX beta and all the workarounds the community has developed, very specific proposals have emerged regarding How could Samsung relaunch a modern and robust version of Linux integrated into DeX?Many of these ideas combine the best of the old beta with what was learned using Termux, PROOT, and CHROOT.
One frequently repeated suggestion is that Samsung collaborate with popular distributions like Ubuntu or Fedora to offer optimized official imagesaccessible directly from the DeX app. This would allow switching from Android to Linux with a single click, without intermediate steps or complex installations for the end user.
There are also plans to expand the number of supported devices from the outset, including both high-end Galaxy phones and Galaxy Tab tabletsGiven that current SoCs have more than enough power, it wouldn't make much sense to limit the feature to one or two specific models, as happened with the original beta.
From a brand perspective, bringing Linux on DeX back properly would mean to strengthen Samsung's image as a leading company in innovation against Apple and other Android manufacturersOffering an officially supported Linux desktop environment sends a very clear message to developers, system administrators, and students of technical fields.
Furthermore, it would fit in very well with the rest of the Galaxy ecosystem, in which it already coexists Galaxy Book (laptops), Galaxy Tab tablets, and smartphones that can turn into pseudo-PCsFor many professionals, the mobile phone would become the true center of their workflow, with the rest of the devices as natural extensions of that core.
While that possible relaunch may (or may not) arrive, the reality is that The community continues to use ingenuity to make Linux coexist with DeX. Using Termux, PROOT and CHROOT environments, Termux X11, virglrenderer, and a handful of other tricks, a kind of "collective recipe" has been woven to transform many Galaxy devices into true portable Linux-based workstations. Between accessibility settings, keyboard shortcuts, developer modes, and curious system behaviors, a kind of "collective recipe" has been created.
This entire ecosystem of solutions demonstrates that Samsung DeX and Linux can work together quite smoothly, even without direct official support.It also makes clear that, if the company decides to revive the idea of Linux on DeX, it has a highly motivated user base, more than enough powerful hardware, and a wealth of lessons learned about how to make mobile-PC convergence truly useful in everyday life.
