Gadesk app lets Galaxy Z Fold 8 run Samsung DeX on its inner screen

Samsung DeX has lived in the settings of the company's flagship phones since 2017 and turns a Galaxy device into a desktop. Users switch DeX on, connect an external display over a cable or wirelessly, and can attach peripherals such as a USB dock, mouse and keyboard. When DeX first shipped, phone screens were too small to host a desktop interface, but the Z Fold 8's large inner display makes that practical, Engadget reported. Gadesk is not a hack: the report says it does not require rooting or sideloading, and setup takes a few minutes of settings changes before DeX runs on the Z Fold 8 alone.

The process begins with turning off Auto Blocker under Settings, then Security and privacy, because leaving it on can disable steps needed to connect the app. Users then enable wireless debugging through Developer options, which are unlocked by tapping Build number seven times under About phone, then Software information, entering a passcode and confirming. Wireless debugging requires a Wi-Fi connection, and the phone prompts the user to always allow the chosen network for it.

The app is then launched, with the user selecting "Connect driver" and "First-time pairing." After notifications are allowed, the phone should open Developer options; if it does not, the user returns to wireless debugging and taps "Pair device with pairing code." A code appears on screen and must be entered through the notification titled "Pairing screen detected. Enter the code." Once paired, "DeXprobe" appears in the wireless debugging menu, confirming the connection. Back in Gadesk, the user taps "Allow Driver," then "Allow," followed by "Enable accessibility" and "AGREE AND OPEN SETTINGS," which opens the Z Fold 8's accessibility settings. There the user finds Gadesk under Installed apps, toggles it on and allows it, then returns to the app and taps "Start desktop."

Under the hood, Engadget reports, the app works by convincing the Z Fold 8 that it is connected to an external display through the wireless debugging feature. It then intercepts the desk screen output and uses the accessibility permission to overlay that output onto the inner screen.

Several settings inside Gadesk are worth adjusting once DeX is running. Orientation is one: Gadesk runs DeX in landscape by default, but portrait better suits the Z Fold 8's aspect ratio, especially for multitasking. Users who prefer a virtual trackpad can enable one, and it supports copy, paste and zoom in and out, with adjustable opacity. A gesture action menu offers three-finger and two-finger taps, set by default to Home and Back, both of which can be reassigned or disabled.

Gadesk is not entirely free. The free version limits each DeX session to 15 minutes and shows ads. A one-time payment of $20 removes the time limit and the ads. Users who want to test the app longer before paying can extend sessions by 10 minutes at a time by viewing promotions.

Although Gadesk is built for the Z Fold 8's dimensions, it also supports other DeX-capable Galaxy phones running One UI 8 or later, as well as Google Pixel devices through Android's built-in desktop mode, according to the report.