3 easy methods to print from an Android phone

Printing from an Android phone

Ever felt like getting your documents printed from the comfort of your Android device? Do you ever feel a little impatient with transferring your files to your email, opening the mail on your computer, and then printing it? I’m sure most of us are sick of this tedious process. 

With the advancements in Android technology, people’s needs have also changed. Today, I’m going to show you how you can get anything printed, right from your Android phone. 

The methods I’m going to list down are really simple and you will be able to print from your Android phone much quicker than the conventional email transfer and print from the computer process. Read on to find out the simple and easy methods to print from an Android phone!

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3 ways to print from Android phone

You can print anything from an Android phone with these methods:

1. Print local files wirelessly

2. Print from Chrome

3. Add a print service

1. Print local files wirelessly 

Did you know you can wirelessly print any file on your Android phone? Be it a PDF, docs, or an image, you can print them just with the tap of a few buttons. 

To print local files on your Android phone, 

Step 1: Connect your phone to a wireless network

Step 2: Make sure your printer is connected to the same wireless network as your phone, either wirelessly or via an ethernet cable

Step 3: Open the file you want to print

Step 4: Tap the kebab menu (three dots) on the top right corner

Step 5: Tap ‘Print’

Step 6: Tap on the arrow on the top to select the printer. If the printer isn’t listed, tap ‘All printers.’ The scanning process will start and your printer will be detected. 

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If the printer isn’t detected, you can manually add the printer using the IP address of the printer. Select the printer added.

Step 7: Select the number of copies, paper size, layout, color, number of pages, etc.

Step 8: Tap on the print button

The document will start printing. Ensure your printer has enough paper to complete the printing process. 

How simple was that?! Such a hassle-free printing experience, right? Next time you want to print something, just try this method to save your precious time. 

Also read:

5 Best Android Printer Apps to Put Ink on Paper

2. Print from Chrome

Not sure how many of you know this, but you can print web pages on Chrome without having to download them, right from the Chrome app. Here’s how to do it: 

Step 1: Open the Chrome app on your Android phone

Step 2: Open the web page you want to print

Step 3: Tap the kebab menu on the top right corner 

Step 4: Tap ‘Share’

Step 5: Look for the print option and tap it

Step 6: Tap on the arrow on the top to select the printer. If the printer isn’t listed, tap ‘All printers.’ The scanning process will start and your printer will be detected. 

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Select the printer added to start printing.

Step 7: Select the number of copies, paper size, layout, color, number of pages, etc.

Step 8: Tap on the print button

The process is similar to printing the local files on Android. 

Related:

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3. Add a print service

You can manually add a print service to your phone to print files effortlessly. Print services are apps you can install from the Google Play Store. Plugins or apps are available for Canon, HP, Samsung, Epson, Brother, and other name-brand printers. 

Once you add a print service, you need not manually add a printer everytime you want to print from your Android phone. Here’s how to set up a new print service:

Step 1: Go to Settings

Step 2: Tap ‘Connected devices’

Step 3: Tap ‘Connection preferences’

Step 4: Tap ‘Printing’

Note: You will see the Default Print Service option. Turn it on and try connecting the printer wirelessly or by entering the IP address. If it doesn’t connect, add a new print service. 

Step 5: Tap on Add service option to add a new printer service 

Step 6: Select the plugin you want to add. Make sure it is the same as the printer you possess, although other printing services may also detect your printer.

Step 7: Install the app from the play store and set it up

Once the app is set up, it will wirelessly detect the printer if connected to the same network. You can also manually add the printer in the HP Smart app. 

Tip: If you don’t have a WiFi network, you can still connect to a HP printer using WiFi direct, HP direct, or NFC touch. 

If you are using the HP print service, you’ll be asked to install the HP Smart app from which you can scan files and integrate other apps like Drive, Dropbox, Photos, and Instagram. 

What next? Just select the file you want to print and start the printing process as mentioned in the first method. Or select the files from the printing app and start printing.

FAQs

Print anything from your Android phone

Printing from Android phones has never been easier with smartphone manufacturers and printing companies empowering the smartphone users with wireless detection and easy-to-connect printing apps. 

While we still use email to get our printing job done from the computer, it’s time we use these easy hacks and save time in our busy lives. Just with the tap of a few buttons, you can get the content on your Android phone printed. 

I hope this article brought some value to your Android usage. Try these easy printings tips and let me know if your printing experience went smoothly. Until next time, cheers!