Picture this: you're running Samsung DeX on your external monitor, and instead of that persistent taskbar eating up precious screen real estate, your apps finally stretch edge-to-edge like they should. Sound too good to be true? Welcome to One UI 8's hidden 'Immersive' mode—a feature that's buried so deep in the code, even Samsung's own developers seem to be keeping quiet about it.
Here's what we know: Samsung's developer documentation confirms that "apps launched in DeX mode can be expanded into a full screen, immersive window" to "showcase the full features of an app without the expense of screen real-estate." Yet current One UI 8 beta users are reporting the exact opposite experience. XDA Forums shows frustrated testers complaining they "can't make apps proper full screen" because "the task bar is still visible however the app is running behind the task bar." Meanwhile, multiple sources including SamMobile have spotted references to this hidden immersive functionality in the latest firmware builds.
This strategic timing isn't coincidental. Samsung's developer site reveals that "Samsung's latest Galaxy foldables will be unveiled later this year and will be the first devices to launch with One UI 8 on Android 16," suggesting this feature might be getting saved for the hardware launch that can truly showcase its desktop replacement potential.
Why Samsung's playing hide-and-seek with full screen
Let's break down what's actually happening behind the scenes. Samsung's developer documentation shows they've built sophisticated controls for DeX immersion, including "the ability to add a delay on the translucent header and footer bar" and customization options for "a more immersive full screen experience." This isn't accidental—it's engineered with the precision of a feature ready for prime time.
But here's the kicker: Android Authority tested the current One UI 8 implementation and found that "opening an app, game, or video in full-screen doesn't hide the taskbar or header bar at the moment." Their analysis reveals that "One UI 8 and the new DeX remove the 'I ♥ Samsung DeX' menu from MultiStar"—the Good Lock module that previously let users force higher resolutions and better display control.
This removal isn't oversight—it's strategic elimination of workarounds. When Samsung deliberately strips away community-developed solutions from Good Lock, it signals absolute confidence in their native implementation. The granular timing controls they've built for managing "the delay until the translucent bar is displayed" suggest immersive mode isn't just a nice-to-have addition—it's a cornerstone feature requiring precise coordination with upcoming hardware launches.
Having tracked Samsung's DeX evolution since the original Galaxy S8 launch, this pattern feels familiar. The company consistently withholds breakthrough features during beta phases, preferring to debut major improvements alongside flagship hardware that can demonstrate their full potential.
The desktop experience Samsung actually owes us
After eight years of DeX development, we deserve better than the current compromise. Samsung's own developer guidelines emphasize that "desktop mode includes all the advanced multitasking features built in to the Samsung DeX UI" and that apps should support "minimizing, maximizing, and resizing." Yet current users are stuck with what one beta tester describes as apps launching "in a desktop aspect ratio whilst filling approx 60% of the screen."
The frustration cuts deep among productivity users. Community reports show people who "use my phone as my primary desktop setup via Dex" are finding "quite a lot of issues compared to Dex in One UI 7." For Remote Desktop workflows, the inability to truly go full screen isn't just annoying—it breaks the fundamental promise of mobile-to-desktop transformation.
Think of it like buying a sports car that's permanently stuck in second gear. The hardware capabilities are there—Reddit users report that "Samsung DeX can work at 60fps" with external displays—but Samsung's software artificially limits the experience.
Beyond the technical metadata, Samsung's documentation reveals business strategy clues. They're not just building immersive mode as a feature catch-up play; they're timing its debut for maximum competitive advantage. With foldables positioned as laptop replacements, true full-screen DeX becomes the differentiator that justifies premium pricing.
What this means for your DeX setup right now
While we wait for Samsung to officially unlock immersive mode, current options remain frustratingly limited. Community solutions previously relied on Good Lock's MultiStar module, but Android Authority confirms this approach "doesn't work when toggled" in One UI 8's current state.
The deliberate elimination of these Good Lock workarounds sends a clear message: Samsung is confident enough in their native immersive mode to eliminate competing solutions. This aggressive removal of alternative paths suggests the full implementation is nearly ready—why else would they burn bridges with power users who depend on these customizations?
For gaming and media consumption, the current limitations hit hardest. During our testing across multiple external monitors, the persistent taskbar becomes most intrusive during full-screen gaming sessions where every pixel matters. Samsung's developer site promotes DeX for "console gaming experiences" and notes that "whether you prefer native Android games or cloud gaming services like GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming, Samsung Dex delivers an immersive gaming experience." But without true full-screen support, that "immersive" experience comes with a permanent reminder that you're still operating in compromise mode.
PRO TIP: If you're currently relying on DeX for productivity work, consider sticking with One UI 7 until Samsung officially rolls out the immersive mode. The current One UI 8 beta actually represents a step backward in functionality for serious DeX users.
When Samsung might actually deliver the goods
The evidence points to Samsung holding back this feature for strategic hardware coordination. Developer communications indicate that "the One UI 8 Beta program launched on May 28 for Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra users" in select markets, but the complete feature set appears destined for the premium foldable launch later this year.
SamMobile's analysis of the latest firmware builds shows Samsung actively polishing the visual experience, noting that "Samsung appears to have added a glass-like transparent background to more pop-up menus across the user interface." This level of aesthetic refinement suggests they're preparing the immersive experience for a major marketing moment, not a quiet beta rollout.
The strategic pause makes business sense when viewed through Samsung's competitive lens. With Apple reportedly developing its own desktop-class iPad experience and Microsoft pushing harder into mobile-desktop convergence, Samsung needs a knockout feature that clearly differentiates their approach. Immersive DeX mode—properly implemented—could be that differentiator.
Having witnessed Samsung's approach to major DeX milestones over the past eight years, this pattern of strategic withholding typically precedes their most significant leaps forward. The original DeX Station launch, wireless DeX introduction, and now potentially immersive mode all followed similar development arcs: extensive beta testing with deliberately limited functionality, followed by full feature rollout timed with flagship hardware that can showcase the improvements.
The beauty lies in Samsung's technical confidence—they wouldn't eliminate popular Good Lock workarounds unless they were absolutely certain their native solution would exceed user expectations. For DeX enthusiasts willing to wait, that confidence suggests the payoff will justify the temporary frustration.
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