Effortless Mobile Printing: How to Add a Printer to Your Phone

In the past, printing documents, photos, and files meant transferring them from your phone to a computer first. However, times have changed, and printing directly from your smartphone or tablet is now incredibly simple. Thanks to advancements in wireless technology, you can easily add a printer to your phone and print via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even email.

This guide will walk you through the straightforward steps to connect your printer to your Android or iOS device, allowing you to print documents and photos with ease.

Setting Up Your Printer for Wireless Connection

Before you can add a printer to your phone, it’s crucial to ensure your printer is properly set up and connected to your network. The initial setup process can vary depending on the printer brand and model. The best starting point is always your printer’s manual, which contains specific networking instructions for your device.

If you can’t find the physical manual, don’t worry. Most printer manuals are readily available online in PDF format. Simply search for your printer’s brand and model number on the manufacturer’s website. The model number is usually printed on a sticker located on the bottom or side of the printer.

Once you have your printer connected to your Wi-Fi network, you can proceed with connecting your Android or iOS smartphone.

Connecting a Printer to Your Android Device

The most seamless way to connect an Android device to a compatible printer is through the Default Print Service. This built-in Android feature replaced Google Cloud Print and simplifies the process significantly.

Connecting via Wi-Fi on Android

Android’s Default Print Service is designed to automatically detect printers that are on the same Wi-Fi network as your phone or tablet. Most major printer manufacturers, including Canon and Epson, support this service, ensuring a hassle-free connection.

Make sure both your printer and your 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 activate the Default Print Service and add a printer to your phone, follow these steps:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Search for “printing” in the settings search bar.
3. Select Printing from the search results.
4. Tap on Printing again within Connection preferences.
5. Choose Default Print Service and toggle it On.

Your Android device will then scan for and display a list of compatible printers available on your Wi-Fi network. Simply select your printer from the list to establish the connection.

Android default print service

If your printer doesn’t automatically appear in the list, you have a few alternative methods to try.

Option 1: Brand-Specific Print Service Plugin

1. Go back to the Printing settings screen.
2. Instead of selecting Default Print Service, tap Add service.
3. This will direct you to the Google Play Store, listing printer service plugins from various manufacturers.
4. Find and select your printer brand’s plugin (e.g., Canon Print Service, Epson Print Enabler).
5. Download and install the plugin.
6. Return to Printing settings. The brand-specific service should now be available. Select it and follow the on-screen instructions to find your printer.

Android print service

Option 2: Third-Party Print Service Apps

If a brand-specific plugin doesn’t work, or if your printer manufacturer doesn’t offer one, consider using a third-party print service app. These apps, also found on the Google Play Store, are designed to detect printers across various brands on your network. Popular choices include PrinterOn and PrinterShare Mobile Print. Download and install one of these apps, then follow their instructions to connect to your printer.

Option 3: Manual Printer Addition via IP Address or Wi-Fi Direct

You can manually add a printer to your phone through the Default Print Service using its IP address or Wi-Fi Direct.

• Using IP Address:

  1. Access your router’s settings page (the method varies depending on your router brand; consult your router manual).
  2. Look for a section like Attached Devices or Device List.
  3. Locate your printer in the list and note its IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
  4. On your Android device, go back to Default Print Service.
  5. Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon) in the top right corner.
  6. Select Add printer, then Add printer by IP address.
  7. Enter the IP address you noted down and tap Add. Your printer should now appear in the list.

• Using Wi-Fi Direct:

  1. In the Add printer menu (accessed via the three vertical dots in Default Print Service), select Wi-Fi Direct printing.
  2. Turn on Wi-Fi Direct printing. Your phone will scan for printers with Wi-Fi Direct enabled.
  3. Select your printer from the list to establish a direct connection without needing an internet connection.

Android WiFi direct 1

Android WiFi direct 2

Connecting via Bluetooth on Android

While less common, some printers support Bluetooth connectivity. This method simplifies the process as it doesn’t rely on a Wi-Fi network. The process is similar to connecting Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

1. Activate Bluetooth scanning on your printer. The method varies by model, so consult your printer’s manual.
2. On your Android phone, go to Settings and tap Connected devices.
3. Select Pair new device. Your phone will begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.
4. When your printer appears in the list of available devices, tap it to connect.

Android Bluetooth

Keep in mind that Bluetooth connections are range-limited. If your phone moves too far from the printer or Bluetooth is turned off, the connection will drop. Reconnection should be automatic when Bluetooth is active and the devices are in range. If not, go to the Connected devices list and select your printer.

You can also personalize your printer’s name in Bluetooth settings. Tap the cog icon next to your printer in the connected devices list, then the pencil icon next to Device details. Enter a new name and tap Rename.

How to Print from an Android Phone

Once you have successfully connected your printer to your Android phone using any of the methods above, printing is straightforward, regardless of the connection type.

To print an image or document:

1. Open the image or document you want to print.
2. Tap the three vertical dots (menu icon), usually located in the top right corner of the app.
3. Look for the Print option in the menu. You may need to scroll horizontally to find it.
4. Tap Print.

This will open the print preview screen. Here, you can:

1. Tap Select a printer to choose your connected printer if it’s not already selected.
2. Adjust print settings like paper size, orientation, and number of copies as needed.
3. Preview your document to ensure it looks correct.
4. Tap the print icon (usually a printer symbol) to start printing.

Android print 1

Android print 2

Connecting and Printing from an iOS Device (iPhone or iPad)

Similar to Android, iOS offers a built-in print service called AirPrint, which simplifies connecting to compatible printers over Wi-Fi. Apple maintains 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.

Setting up AirPrint on your Printer

1. Connect your AirPrint-compatible printer to your Wi-Fi network following the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Ensure AirPrint is enabled in your printer’s settings. Accessing printer settings is usually done through a web browser by entering the printer’s IP address.
3. Navigate to the Network or similar tab in your printer’s settings interface.
4. Look for the AirPrint section and make sure it is turned on.

Printing via AirPrint from iOS

The following steps apply to iOS 18, but the process is generally similar for recent iOS versions.

1. Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards), typically located at the bottom of the screen.
3. In the share options menu, scroll down and select Print. This will open the Printer Options screen.

Print from iOS 18 – 1

4. If this is your first time using Printer Options, you’ll see Select Printer at the top. Tap it and choose your AirPrint-enabled printer from the list of detected printers. iOS will usually remember this selection for future printing.
5. Once your printer is selected, tap Print in the top right corner to print your document.

Print from iOS 18 – 2

Printing from Non-AirPrint Printers on iOS

If your printer doesn’t support AirPrint, you’ll need to use the manufacturer’s app.

1. Search for your printer brand in the App Store.
2. Download and install the official app.
3. Follow the app’s instructions to connect to your printer. Some apps require you to open and print files directly from within the app, while others allow you to add a print shortcut to the iOS share sheet for easier access.

Alternatively, consider third-party apps like Printopia 3 or Print n Share, which offer broader printer compatibility and potentially additional features.

Bluetooth Printing on iOS

While some sources suggest Bluetooth printing is possible with iOS, Apple doesn’t officially support it, and reliable Bluetooth printing from iPhones or iPads is generally not available. It’s best to rely on AirPrint or Wi-Fi for printing from iOS devices.

Tap and Print with NFC on iOS and Android

Near Field Communication (NFC) offers an even simpler Bluetooth pairing method. Some printers and Android phones support NFC.

1. Ensure both your printer and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Enable NFC on your Android phone (usually found in connection settings).
3. Locate the NFC touchpoint on your printer (marked with the NFC icon).
4. Tap your phone against the NFC touchpoint on the printer. NFC should automatically handle the connection process.
5. Once connected, you can print as usual.

NFC

Printing via Email from Android or iOS

Many printer brands offer an email printing feature, providing a convenient way to print documents and photos remotely.

1. Set up an email address for your printer. The setup process varies by brand. Some require software installation, while others involve product registration. Some brands assign an email address, or let you create one.
2. Once set up, you can email documents, photos, and webpages to your printer’s email address. The printer will automatically print the attachments.
3. This method works regardless of your location, as long as your printer is powered on and connected to the internet.

Refer to your printer manufacturer’s website for specific instructions on setting up email printing for your model.

By following these methods, you can easily add a printer to your phone and enjoy the convenience of mobile printing, whether you are using an Android or iOS device.