In the past, printing documents or photos from your phone required a computer as an intermediary. Thankfully, modern technology has made printing directly from your smartphone or tablet a breeze. Whether you need to print important documents, cherished photos, or web pages, you can now do it wirelessly via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even email.
This guide will walk you through the straightforward steps to connect your phone to your printer, regardless of whether you use an Android or iOS device.
Setting Up Your Printer for Wireless Connection
Before connecting your phone, ensure your printer is properly set up for wireless printing. This typically involves connecting your printer to your Wi-Fi network. The exact steps vary depending on your printer brand and model, so the best starting point is your printer’s manual.
If you’ve misplaced the physical manual, don’t worry. Most printer manufacturers provide digital manuals online. Simply search for your printer’s brand and model number (usually found on the printer itself) to find a PDF version on their website.
Once your printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can proceed to connect your Android or iOS phone or tablet.
Connecting an Android Phone to Your Printer
For Android devices, the simplest method for connecting to compatible printers is through the Default Print Service. This built-in Android feature replaced Google Cloud Print and offers seamless connectivity.
Connecting via Wi-Fi on Android
Android’s Default Print Service is designed to automatically detect printers on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or tablet. Most major printer manufacturers, including Canon and Epson, support this service, making the setup process smooth and efficient.
Ensure both your printer and Android device are connected to your home Wi-Fi network. This method will not work if your phone is using a cellular data connection (4G or 5G).
To connect via Wi-Fi:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Search for “Printing” in the settings search bar.
- Select Printing from the search results under Connection preferences.
- Tap on Default Print Service.
- Toggle Default Print Service to the On position.
Your phone will now scan for and display a list of compatible printers on your Wi-Fi network. Simply select your printer from the list to establish a connection.
Android default print service
Android Default Print Service interface displaying a list of available printers on the Wi-Fi network.
If your printer doesn’t automatically appear, you have a few alternative options:
1. Adding a Manufacturer-Specific Print Service:
- Return to the Printing settings screen.
- Instead of Default Print Service, tap Add service.
- This will direct you to the Google Play Store, listing printer services from various manufacturers.
- Select your printer’s brand and install the corresponding service/plugin.
- Once installed, go back to Printing settings, and the manufacturer’s service should help locate your printer.
Android print service
Google Play Store interface showing various manufacturer-specific print services for Android.
2. Using a Third-Party Print Service:
- If a manufacturer-specific service isn’t available or doesn’t work, explore third-party print services on the Google Play Store.
- These apps scan your network for printers regardless of the brand.
- Popular options include PrinterOn and PrinterShare Mobile Print, although it’s advisable to research user reviews before installing.
3. Manually Adding Your Printer via IP Address or Wi-Fi Direct:
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IP Address:
- Access your Wi-Fi router’s settings page (steps vary by router brand).
- Find the section usually labeled Attached Devices or similar.
- Locate your printer in the device list and note its IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.XXX).
- In Android’s Default Print Service, tap the three vertical dots (menu) in the top right corner.
- Select Add printer, then Add printer by IP address.
- Enter the printer’s IP address and tap Add.
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Wi-Fi Direct:
- In Add printer menu, enable Wi-Fi Direct printing.
- Your phone will scan for Wi-Fi Direct-enabled printers nearby, creating a direct connection without needing an internet connection.
Android WiFi direct 1
Android Default Print Service menu showing the “Add printer” options.
Android WiFi direct 2
Screens showing options to add a printer by IP address (left) and via Wi-Fi Direct (right) in Android Print Service.
Connecting via Bluetooth on Android
While less common than Wi-Fi, some printers support Bluetooth connectivity. Bluetooth pairing can be simpler as it doesn’t rely on a network.
- Activate Bluetooth scanning on your printer (refer to your printer manual for specific instructions).
- On your Android phone, go to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device.
- Your phone will scan for Bluetooth devices. When your printer appears in the list, tap to connect.
Android Bluetooth
Android Bluetooth device pairing screen, showing a printer available for connection.
Once paired, your printer will appear in the list of connected devices. Bluetooth connections are typically short-range, and the connection may disconnect if the devices are too far apart or Bluetooth is turned off. Reconnection should be automatic when Bluetooth is active and devices are in range. You can also manually reconnect from the Connected devices menu. You can rename your printer in Bluetooth settings for easier identification by tapping the cog icon next to the printer’s name, then the pencil icon, and entering a new name.
Printing from Your Android Device
Once your printer is connected, printing from your Android phone is straightforward, regardless of the connection method.
To print an image:
- Open the image in your Photos app or Gallery.
- Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon).
- Scroll through the options and tap Print.
To print a document (e.g., PDF):
- Open the document in a document viewer app.
- Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon).
- Select Print.
In the print preview screen:
- Tap Select a printer and choose your connected printer.
- Adjust print settings as needed (e.g., paper size, color, number of copies).
- Preview the document.
- Tap the print icon to start printing.
Android print 1
Android print menu for images, accessed via the three-dot menu.
Android print 2
Standard Android print screen with options to select printer and adjust settings, and the print icon highlighted.
Connecting and Printing from an iOS Device (iPhone or iPad)
Like Android, iOS has a built-in print service called AirPrint, which simplifies connecting to compatible printers over Wi-Fi. Apple provides a comprehensive list of AirPrint-compatible printers on their website.
When purchasing a new printer for use with your iPhone or iPad, look for the AirPrint logo on the packaging to ensure compatibility.
Once you have an AirPrint-enabled printer connected to your Wi-Fi network, ensure AirPrint is enabled in the printer’s settings. Access your printer’s settings through a web browser (refer to your printer manual). Typically, within the Network or Wireless settings, you’ll find an AirPrint section where you can enable it.
To print from iOS:
- Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap the Share icon (square with an upward arrow), usually located at the bottom of the screen.
- Scroll down the share options and select Print to open Printer Options.
Print from iOS 18 – 1
iOS share sheet with the “Print” option highlighted, leading to Printer Options.
If it’s your first time using Printer Options, you’ll see a Select Printer option at the top. Tap it and choose your AirPrint printer from the list. iOS should remember this printer as the default for future use.
Once your printer is selected:
- Adjust print options in the Printer Options menu if needed.
- Tap Print in the top right corner to print your document.
Print from iOS 18 – 2
iOS Printer Options screen with printer selection and print button highlighted.
If Your Printer Isn’t AirPrint Compatible:
- Download the printer manufacturer’s app from the App Store. Search for your printer brand and install the official app. These apps often provide printing functionality for non-AirPrint printers.
- Some apps require you to open and print files directly from within the app, while others may allow you to add a shortcut to the iOS share sheet for more convenient printing from other apps.
- Consider third-party printing apps like Printopia 3 or Print n Share, which may offer broader compatibility or additional features.
Bluetooth and NFC on iOS
While Bluetooth printing from iOS devices is sometimes mentioned, Apple doesn’t officially support it, and reliable Bluetooth printing may be limited. AirPrint over Wi-Fi is generally the recommended and most reliable method.
NFC (Near Field Communication):
Some printers offer NFC for simplified Bluetooth pairing. Ensure both your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Enable NFC on your phone and tap it on the NFC touchpoint on the printer (usually marked with an ‘NFC’ logo). NFC should automate the connection process, and you can then print as usual.
NFC
NFC icon indicating the touchpoint on a printer for NFC-based connection.
Printing via Email from Android or iOS
Certain printer brands offer a convenient “email to print” feature. This allows you to print documents, photos, and webpages by simply emailing them to your printer.
- Set up an email address for your printer (this process varies by printer brand and may involve printer registration or using provided software). Some printers automatically assign an email address, while others let you create one.
- Once set up, you can email files to your printer’s email address, and it will automatically print them.
This method is advantageous as you don’t need to be on the same network as the printer – as long as the printer is powered on and connected to the internet, it can receive and print emailed documents from anywhere. Check your printer manufacturer’s website for specific instructions on setting up and using the “email to print” feature.
By following these steps, you can easily connect your phone to your printer and enjoy the convenience of mobile printing.
