I turned my Android cellphone right into a full desktop PC with an open-source app

There’s one thing satisfying about giving an previous piece of tech another excuse to exist. My Pixel 4 XL has had a number of inexperienced traces operating throughout its display screen after a fall broke it. The contact has been hit-or-miss, and whereas the cellphone nonetheless works, utilizing it was irritating sufficient that I simply left it sitting and moved to my pill as an alternative.

But I believe I simply discovered a strategy to make the old phone useful again with out watching its broken display screen. I linked it to my laptop computer to see for myself.

This wasn’t the mirroring I anticipated

I did not assume an previous cellphone might really feel like this

The device I used is Android DeX, a free Windows app that delivers a Samsung DeX-like expertise for Android gadgets.

Now, there are some variations between Samsung DeX and Android DeX. For instance, I anticipated Android DeX to reflect the cellphone to my PC like DeX, however Android DeX requires you to put in software program on the system you need to use because the mirror. In that, it is an additional step, however it may be value it to get an previous cellphone up and operating once more.

First, I downloaded Android DeX and put in it on my laptop computer, then enabled USB debugging within the cellphone’s Developer Options. With the app put in on my Windows 11 laptop computer, I plugged the Pixel in with a USB-C cable.

I used to be a little bit shocked to search out that Android DeX opens in a Windows utility as an alternative of merely mirroring the cellphone display screen. I obtained a desktop-style strategy to entry the Pixel’s Android atmosphere from my laptop computer. I might use the Android apps in their very own home windows whereas nonetheless utilizing Windows usually outdoors Android DeX.

There was a taskbar, an app drawer, and separate home windows, giving me a DeX-like experience with out Samsung {hardware}.

I opened YouTube, Brave, Telegram, Chrome, and a bunch of different apps inside Android DeX to see how far I might push it. I resized, minimized, expanded, snapped two aspect by aspect, and closed them like common Windows apps. I even positioned a name with no points in any respect. My laptop computer’s mouse and keyboard labored too. I might reply to messages, sort in apps, and drag home windows round with out touching the cellphone.

That was in all probability what I preferred most about Android DeX. The Pixel remained helpful by itself with out interfering with the desktop expertise, which is a plus for me, because the phone occasionally ghost-touches and disrupts my work.

I forgot my cellphone display screen was damaged

The display screen stopped being the purpose

The greatest profit was apparent. I did not have to make use of the Pixel’s broken display screen anymore. Android DeX is its personal atmosphere. In truth, turning off the cellphone’s display screen did not have an effect on it in any respect.

It has fast settings, quantity controls, Android settings, a Now taking part in widget, and all lively app icons within the taskbar beneath. Copying textual content on one aspect confirmed up on the opposite virtually immediately, and each notification, Telegram, WhatsApp, and even the climate app, dropped in DeX’s personal notification bar.

At one level, I forgot I used to be nonetheless inside Android and reached for the Windows Start menu to open one other app.

Though I might use most of my deserted apps once more, some will keep locked in portrait even after you broaden their home windows to full display screen. Video playback additionally stuttered within the background if my mouse was targeted on different apps. Small issues, however they had been there.

It works wirelessly, too

I did not need to maintain my cellphone plugged in

After utilizing Android DeX over USB, I attempted the wi-fi connection. I enabled Wireless debugging in Developer Options and added the cellphone to Android DeX utilizing its IP deal with and port. I did not want to put in anything on the cellphone because the Windows app dealt with the desktop aspect.

With the cable out of the way in which, the setup turned extra sensible. I moved the Pixel out of the way in which and will deal with utilizing the apps by way of Android DeX on the laptop computer with out worrying about cable shake or disconnection.

I’d at all times assumed solely Samsung phones could do something like this, and I envied that. So seeing it work with my previous Pixel with out root or any particular specs was a nice shock.

It comes with some prices

Everything rests on Windows to work

The extra I used Android DeX, the extra apparent its greatest limitation turned. My laptop computer was a part of the setup and was doing the heavy lifting. This wasn’t turning my Pixel right into a standalone PC that I might take wherever and use like a laptop computer. I used to be solely utilizing the cellphone by Windows.

So, once I opened Telegram on the Pixel whereas utilizing it on DeX, the desktop model stopped responding. YouTube and different video gamers did the identical factor. Whatever apps I touched on the Pixel took over.

There are additionally efficiency points. The extra apps I used, the slower DeX turned. The session would self-close if I had greater than six apps operating concurrently. Although I do not use that many apps when utilizing the Pixel usually, possibly a number of at finest. I used to be simply curious to search out its restrict.

The drain on the laptop computer’s battery was an excellent greater concern for me. It went from absolutely charged to useless in below an hour. So I attempted a lighter session with solely an app open and nothing else operating on Windows moreover Android DeX. I nonetheless misplaced half the battery in below thirty minutes.

I checked what was actually draining the laptop, and the Task Manager confirmed DeX utilizing round 45% CPU at one level.

While I would not say that is the benchmark for everybody as a result of my laptop computer is a bit previous, it nonetheless offers me between three and 5 hours of normal use. So, seeing the battery drained that quick was a shock.

For my setup, operating Android DeX removed from a charger is not one thing I’d strive until I completely have to. The laptop computer remains to be doing sufficient work that I’d slightly maintain it plugged in.

My Pixel 4 XL earned its place again

Before the display screen obtained unhealthy, I primarily used the Pixel. I did not count on I’d ever use it for something critical once more as soon as I dropped it, however Android DeX gave me a manner to make use of it with out counting on the damaged display screen.

Obviously, the display screen remains to be broken, and DeX merely is not changing my laptop computer. The battery value alone guidelines that out, plus I would not use it away from residence.

But at residence, the place I can maintain all the things charged, it’s now one of many first apps operating each time my PC is on. In truth, I’ve been utilizing it excess of the pill now with out interested by it, as a result of it centralizes my work. I can place or obtain a name and do all the things else with out trying away from my PC. And most significantly, I haven’t got to squint to see by the traces to do something anymore.