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dotnetdreamer/open-android-dex

Turns an Android phone into a desktop-style workspace on a PC, Mac or Linux machine, or on the phone and a monitor, without root.

Open-source alternative to:Samsung DeXVysor

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Stars
279
Forks
15
Open issues
5
Last commit
4 days ago

What is it?

Open Android DeX shows a desktop on your computer when an Android phone is plugged in over USB or Wi-Fi. The desktop has a taskbar, an app drawer, and phone apps that open in resizable windows with title bars. Phone notifications, calls and a touchpad mode are routed through the computer, and the phone returns to normal when the session ends.

It can also run standalone on the phone or a compatible external monitor, and includes a web viewer for accessing the desktop from a browser. Built-in modules provide an Ubuntu 24.04 Linux environment with XFCE, a Docker engine, and file transfer. The PC setup works on Android 8 or newer and requires no root or Samsung hardware.

The project is written in Java for the Android side and uses Tauri with Rust and React for the desktop app. It is licensed under GPL-3.0.

Key features

  • 01Shows a desktop with taskbar and app drawer on a PC, Mac or Linux computer over USB or Wi-Fi.
  • 02Runs phone apps in resizable windows with title bars and snapping.
  • 03Mirrors notifications and lets you answer calls from the computer.
  • 04Runs Ubuntu 24.04 with XFCE and Docker on the phone without root.
  • 05Provides a web viewer for opening the desktop in any browser.
  • 06Restores the phone's settings when the session ends.

Use cases

  • Using a phone's messaging apps on a computer while working.
  • Turning an Android phone into a portable workstation with an external monitor.
  • Running a Linux development environment or Docker containers on a phone.
  • Accessing a phone's desktop from a browser on another machine.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Download the app for Windows, Mac or Linux from the releases page and install it

  2. 2

    Turn on USB debugging in the phone's Developer options

  3. 3

    Plug the phone into the computer and tap Allow when prompted

Things to know

  • Requires USB debugging and a cable for the PC setup, with Wireless debugging only on Android 11 and newer.
  • Some features depend on the phone, such as external monitor support and freeform windows.
  • Custom title bars require the PC app and Android 14 or newer.

In collections

Android apps & phone tools

Topics

#android#linux-desktop#desktop-environment#screen-mirroring#docker#ubuntu#remote-access#android-desktop#opo#samsung

FAQ

What is open-android-dex?
Turns an Android phone into a desktop-style workspace on a PC, Mac or Linux machine, or on the phone and a monitor, without root. Open Android DeX shows a desktop on your computer when an Android phone is plugged in over USB or Wi-Fi. The desktop has a taskbar, an app drawer, and phone apps that open in resizable windows with title bars. Phone notifications, calls and a touchpad mode are routed through the computer, and the phone returns to normal when the session ends.
Is open-android-dex free to use? What license does it have?
open-android-dex is open source under the GPL-3.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.
Is open-android-dex still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to open-android-dex was on Nov 2, 2026.
What can I use open-android-dex for?
Using a phone's messaging apps on a computer while working. Turning an Android phone into a portable workstation with an external monitor. Running a Linux development environment or Docker containers on a phone. Accessing a phone's desktop from a browser on another machine.
How do I install open-android-dex?
Download the app for Windows, Mac or Linux from the releases page and install it Turn on USB debugging in the phone's Developer options Plug the phone into the computer and tap Allow when prompted
Where can I get open-android-dex?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/dotnetdreamer/open-android-dex

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