Earlier this year, I expanded my Samsung ecosystem with the addition of a Galaxy Book 4 Edge. Among the many features that stood out was the seamless integration it offered with my Samsung phone, enhancing my overall experience with Windows 11. Having personally tested the latest iteration of Galaxy Connect, I find it to be a remarkable enhancement.
Galaxy Connect’s two best features
Upon downloading Galaxy Connect to my PC, I discovered a suite of four features: Continue on other devices, Storage Share, Multi Control, and Second Screen. The first two come bundled with the initial download, while the latter two require additional installations.
Of these, Multi Control and Second Screen have emerged as my favorites. Multi Control, reminiscent of Apple’s Universal Control, allows users to connect their Samsung phone or tablet as a secondary display. Unlike traditional mirroring, this feature maintains the Android interface on the mobile device. As I navigate my primary display, my mouse seamlessly transitions to the phone’s screen, enabling me to control it as if it were directly connected.
This functionality opens up a world of possibilities. For instance, I often listen to music while working. Instead of the hassle of pairing my earbuds with my PC, I keep them connected to my Fold 7. With YouTube Music and Telegram displayed in split-screen mode, I can effortlessly control my music and message my wife without monopolizing my monitors. Additionally, I find the Android version of Google Keep more user-friendly than its web counterpart, allowing me to jot down notes swiftly using my mouse and keyboard.
Share files and sync your clipboard
The Second Screen feature enables users to utilize a Galaxy tablet as a wireless display for their Windows computer. While this capability has existed for some time, the Second Screen app addresses a significant drawback: lag. By connecting my tablet directly to my PC, I can eliminate latency issues that previously hindered my experience. This means I can now use my Galaxy Tab S10 Plus as an effective secondary monitor, complete with S Pen functionality.
The remaining features, while useful, are not part of my daily routine. Storage Share allows access to files on your Samsung device directly from your PC’s File Explorer, making it easy to transfer photos and documents without the need for cables. The screenshots from my Fold 7, for example, were effortlessly dragged into our media library.
Meanwhile, the Continue on other devices feature syncs your clipboard, which has proven invaluable for two-factor authentication. Using the Google Authenticator app, I can now easily copy my 2FA code from my phone and paste it into my PC without the usual manual entry delays. Although I prefer Chrome over Samsung Internet, the ability to sync tabs across devices is an added bonus for those who do use it.
However, it’s worth noting that not everything is flawless. Users with ARM-based PCs may find themselves excluded from these features, which is puzzling given that my Galaxy Book 4 Edge is ARM-based and fully supports them. Additionally, some users without Intel network adapters have reported issues with Galaxy Connect’s functionality.
Despite these limitations, Galaxy Connect stands out as one of Samsung’s most impressive offerings in recent memory. The enhancements brought by Multi Control and Second Screen have significantly improved my desktop workflow, allowing me to replicate the efficiency I enjoy on my Galaxy Book.
