How to use ‘Second Screen’ to set the Galaxy Tab as a secondary monitor

Tablet computers are handy for more than simply playing games and viewing movies. The Samsung Galaxy Tab has the most basic and useful functions. It is a Second Screen program that allows you to connect your tablet to your PC and use it as a second display in a matter of seconds.

Why should we care about this feature? This is because the lightweight Galaxy Tab fits effortlessly in your luggage and serves as an excellent imitation monitor while on a work trip. More displays equals more productivity.

To connect a standard Android tablet to a Windows 10/11 PC, you generally need to install a third-party program on both the tablet and the PC, such as SpaceDesk or Duet Display. The Duet Display is particularly beneficial for iPad owners, since it wirelessly or wiredly extends the desktop to Apple’s tablet.

Samsung’s second screen app comes preinstalled on Galaxy PCs and tablets. It requires the One UI 3.1 tablet interface, which was launched in Tab 2021.

At PCWorld’s request, Samsung delivered the Galaxy S8+ tablet and Galaxy S22 smartphone. I wanted to see whether I could get the Samsung-branded environment without having to combine another Android smartphone with a Windows PC. As a Windows PC, I utilized the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 reviewed here. Because Microsoft Surface tablets lack a stand, we suggest that you use a product like the Samsung Book Cover Keyboard Slim to support the tablet.

1. Launch the second screen app in a new tab

Starting with the Galaxy Tab is the fastest method to connect your Windows 11 PC to your Samsung Galaxy Tab. Swipe down from the tab screen to expose shortcuts for Bluetooth, flashlight, airplane mode, and other features. To access further controls, swipe the screen to the right. Select ‘Second Screen.’

2. Choose your display experience

When you launch the Second Screen app, you’ll be greeted with a screen that explains what a second screen is and how it works. The greatest experience, as mentioned on the screen, is when both the tablet and PC are linked to the same Wi-Fi network. You may also choose between a display designed for media playback (which is smoother and more reliable) and a gaming display (quickly responsive).

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3. On your Galaxy PC, enable the second screen app

Then, on your Samsung PC, you must enable the Second Screen software. Second Screen is included in the Samsung installation kit. When you launch the app, the second screen instantly discovers and connects to adjacent tablets. At this point, you may add the tab to the list of displays that can be customized using the Windows 10/11 settings menu (System Display).

(In our testing, the tablet sometimes disconnected owing to a timeout (though no control indicated this) or a momentary issue in the wireless connection. Fortunately, Windows 11 returns the display to its previous position before it disconnected. The procedure is really straightforward.)

On your PC, you will notice a little pop-up box indicating that you are linked to an external tablet (in my example, ‘Mark’s Tab S8+’). There is a little Disconnect button in the pop-up window that disconnects the PC from the tablet.

Tips

Depending on your requirements, the tablet may be used just as a display without an input device, or it can be operated via the tablet’s touchscreen or a connected S Pen or keyboard. The Cast menu (shortcut Win+K) allows you to control the input device.

While linked to the PC, you may also access other programs on the tab. Swipe up from the bottom of the tab screen to display the navigation icons. (A tooltip in the tab creation process explains how.) To easily return to the second screen app, click the ‘cast’ symbol in the upper-right corner of the screen.

A PC program called Samsung Flow may also be used to operate the tablet. It links the tablet and PC in the same way as the second screen feature does, but Flow allows you to control the tablet/smartphone from the PC. It operates in the same way as the Windows Phone Link app.

I enjoy choices like the FOPO Triple Portable Monitor, but sometimes simplicity is required. Furthermore, Samsung’s second screen provides both convenience and greater productivity.

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