Picture this: You’re running Samsung DeX on your external monitor, and instead of that persistent taskbar eating up valuable screen real estate, your apps finally stretch edge-to-edge like they should. Does it sound too good to be true? Welcome to One UI 8’s hidden ‘immersive’ mode, a feature that’s so deeply buried in the code that even Samsung’s own developers seem to be silent about it.
Here’s what we know: Samsung’s developer documentation confirms that “apps launched in DeX mode can be expanded to an immersive full-screen window” to “display all the features of an app without the expense of screen real estate.” However, current One UI 8 beta users report the exact opposite experience. The XDA forums show frustrated testers complaining that they “can’t get apps to run in full screen” because “the taskbar is still visible, yet the app is running behind the taskbar.” Meanwhile, several sources, including SamMobile, have spotted references to this immersive functionality hidden in the latest firmware versions.
This strategic moment is no coincidence. Samsung’s developer site reveals that “Samsung’s latest Galaxy foldable devices will be unveiled later this year and will be the first devices to launch with One UI 8 on Android 16,” suggesting that this feature could be saved for the launch of hardware that can really show its desktop replacement potential.
Why Samsung plays hide and seek with full screen
Let’s look at what’s really happening behind the scenes. Samsung’s developer documentation shows that they’ve created sophisticated controls for immersion in DeX, including “the ability to add a delay to the header and footer translucent bar” and customization options for “a more immersive full-screen experience.” This is no accident: it’s designed with the precision of a prime-time-ready feature.
But here’s the kicker: Android Authority tested the current implementation of One UI 8 and found that “opening an app, game, or video in full screen does not hide the taskbar or header bar at this time.” 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 allowed users to force higher resolutions and better screen control.
This elimination is not oversight: it is a strategic elimination of alternative solutions. When Samsung deliberately removes community-developed solutions from Good Lock, it indicates complete confidence in its native implementation. The granular timing controls they’ve created to manage “the delay until the translucent bar is displayed” suggest that Immersive Mode isn’t just a nice-to-have addition: it’s a critical feature that requires precise timing with upcoming hardware releases.
Having followed the evolution of Samsung’s DeX since the original launch of the Galaxy S8, this pattern seems familiar. The company constantly maintains innovative features during beta phases, preferring to present major improvements along with flagship hardware that can demonstrate its full potential.
The desktop experience that Samsung really 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 advanced multitasking features built into the Samsung DeX user interface” and that apps must support “minimizing, maximizing, and resizing.” However, current users are stuck with what one beta tester describes as apps that launch “in a desktop aspect ratio while taking up about 60% of the screen.”
Frustration deeply affects users’ productivity. Community reports show that people “using my phone as primary desktop setup through Dex” are encountering “quite a few 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 the 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 run at 60fps” with external displays), but Samsung’s software artificially limits the experience.
Beyond the technical metadata, Samsung’s documentation reveals clues about business strategy. They’re not just creating an immersive mode as a catch-up feature; They are timing their debut to gain maximum competitive advantage. With foldable devices positioned as laptop replacements, true full-screen DeX becomes the differentiator that justifies the premium prices.
What this means for your DeX setup right now
While we wait for Samsung to officially unlock Immersive Mode, the current options remain frustratingly limited. Community fixes previously relied on Good Lock’s MultiStar module, but Android Authority confirms that this approach “does not work when toggled” in the current state of One UI 8.
Good Lock’s deliberate removal of these workarounds sends a clear message: Samsung is confident enough in its native immersive mode to remove competing solutions. This aggressive removal of alternative paths suggests that the full implementation is almost ready: why else would they burn bridges with power users who rely on these customizations?
In the case of gaming and media consumption, current limitations are affecting the most. During our testing on multiple external monitors, the persistent taskbar becomes more 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 offers an immersive gaming experience.” But without true full-screen support, that “immersive” experience comes with a permanent reminder that you’re still operating in engaged mode.
PRO TIP: If you currently rely on DeX for productivity work, consider sticking with One UI 7 until Samsung officially launches immersive mode. The current One UI 8 beta actually represents a step back in functionality for serious DeX users.
When Samsung could actually deliver the products
Evidence points to Samsung retaining 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 full feature set appears destined for a premium foldable launch later this year.
SamMobile’s analysis of the latest firmware releases shows that Samsung is actively polishing the visual experience, noting that “Samsung appears to have added a glass-like transparent background to more pop-up menus in the UI.” This level of aesthetic refinement suggests they’re preparing the immersive experience for a major marketing moment, not a quiet beta launch.
The strategic pause makes business sense when viewed through Samsung’s competitive lens. With Apple reportedly developing its own desktop iPad experience and Microsoft pushing more toward mobile desktop convergence, Samsung needs a standout feature that clearly differentiates its approach. DeX immersive 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 retention typically precedes its most significant advancements. The original release of DeX Station, the over-the-air introduction of DeX, and now the potentially immersive mode all followed similar development arcs: extensive beta testing with deliberately limited functionality, followed by a full feature rollout scheduled with flagship hardware that can showcase improvements.
The beauty lies in Samsung’s technical confidence: they wouldn’t remove popular Good Lock workarounds unless they were absolutely sure their native solution would exceed user expectations. For DeX enthusiasts willing to wait, that confidence suggests the reward will justify the temporary frustration.