HK - DEX Desktop

Not long ago, smartphones were clearly secondary devices—great for calls, messages, and light browsing, but nowhere near a replacement for a desktop computer. Today, that line has blurred almost completely. Modern smartphones, even midrange models, pack powerful processors, ample RAM, fast storage, and advanced graphics capabilities that rival or exceed the performance of many traditional PCs.

With a simple connection to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse, these pocket-sized devices can transform into fully functional desktop computers. From productivity tasks and web development to media editing and multitasking, smartphones have evolved into versatile computing hubs, redefining what “personal computer” really means in the modern era.

You don't need to spend a lot of money to get a flagship Samsung or Pixel phone in order to use the built-in desktop (DEX) functionality via HDMI cable. There is another way by using a chromecast dongle and a very clever app which works on any Android phone.

I recently discovered FreeForm Desktop app which can be downloaded from GooglePlay store.

FreeForm Desktop app from JDA Android apps developer:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pt.jdai.freeformdesktop

My current setup has the following:

1- Samsung A53 midrange phone (2022)

2- Google chromecast dongle (Gen 2 and above)

3- Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

4- Asus 24 inch 1920x1080 monitor.

5- FreeForm Desktop app from GooglePlay store.

The chromecast dongle is directly connected to the HDMI input of the Asus monitor.

If you would like to use your phone as a desktop while travelling you can bring with you the chromecast dongle or any Miracast low-latency dongle.

My setup is now used as my main home desktop computer. Actually, my Samsung A53 phone has become my only computer which perfectly fills my needs, I can do serious work on spreadsheets, writting documents, computer code or simply browse the net on a big comfortable screen and keyboard. This web page was completely written and published using this exact setup.

The convenience of having just ONE computer device to manage, sync and update, is amazing. All my files, apps, everything in one place. Need to go out, bring it in my pocket. Need to do serious work, no need of laptops, tablets or any other computer, I just connect my phone to my external monitor and keyboard. You will be surprized how well it works, you quickly forget you are working on a phone!

As you can see on the following pictures, I have mounted the google chromecast dongle along with 2 USB power adaptors on the base on the rear of my Asus monitor and can power both my phone and chromecast dongle. My phone rests at the front bottom of the external monitor, and you can also see my bluetooth keyboard and mouse on a tray which I can take from the desk and put on my lap when needed :-)

Once you have installed the FreeForm Desktop app, go in its help menu to read the instructions on how to enable freeform windows on your phone and also how to automate the screen DPI setting so once connected to an external monitor via casting your screen, the phone interface scales accordingly so you can see more on the screen like a true desktop.

The setup is very straight forward, it's a few switch toggles in your phone developer menu and a simple ADB command via USB port for the DPI (enable USB debugging in the developer's menu of your phone) and you are all set to go. Be carefull when entering DPI values, a wrong (very low) value can make the screen elements appear so big that will make it very hard to scale back, even if you reboot your phone. On my Samsung A53 I use 1000 DPI value when FreeForm Desktop app is run and 380 when the app is shut-down (app shut-down button available when you click on the apps menu at bottom left). You need to click on the FreeForm Desktop shutdown button when you finished working on your desktop so that the phone reverts back to its original DPI.

On Samsung phones, to cast the screen use the built-in SmartView screen casting. It gives you the option to match your monitor's resolution (which I do) and once you run the FreeForm Desktop app it will automatically (once you initially set it up) switch to a higher DPI and you are ready to use your phone as a desktop! Here are some screenshots of FreeForm Desktop in action (the little icon on the top left is only shown on the screenshots and not on the monitor, it's Samsung's SmartView connection icon). FreeForms Desktop also has a built-in feature which dims the phone screen while connected to the external monitor.

I am very happy to have discovered this app and very greatful to the developer of FreeForm Desktop, I am truly amazed that I am able to connect my phone in a few seconds and use it as a desktop computer. This web page was designed entirely using FreeFrom Desktop with a Samsung mid-range A53 phone connected to an external Asus monitor with a Targus Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Here is a video showing a sample session: