How to print from Android
Streamline your workflow with Android printing
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With the increasing use of smartphones in daily activities, including sharing and managing documents, printing from mobile devices has become a common necessity.
Fortunately, printing from anAndroid phoneis easier than ever, thanks to built-in features and apps that support wireless printing.
Whether you’re printing a document, an image, or a web page, this guide offers a simple step-by-step tutorial through the available different methods.
A step-by-step tutorial
Tools & requirements
1. Print using Google Cloud Print (if still supported or available in your region)
GoogleCloud Print was officially discontinued in December 2020. However, some regions or older devices might still have access to it. If that’s the case for you, here’s a quick guide on how to use it. Otherwise, you can move to newer alternatives mentioned later in this article.
Steps
For most users, it’s better to switch to built-in Android printing features or third-party apps, as these are more future proof.
2. Print using built-in Android printing features
Android offers a built-in printing service, which is compatible with many wireless printers. If you have a Wi-Fi-enabled printer or a printer that supports Android’s printing service, this method is straightforward and efficient.
Steps:
Note: If your printer isn’t showing up, you may need to install a specific print service plugin for your printer’s brand (e.g.,HPPrint Service Plugin,EpsoniPrint,CanonPrint Service). These plugins can be found on theGoogle Play Store.
3. Print from apps like Gmail or Google Docs
Many popular apps on Android, including Gmail, Google Docs, andGoogle Drive, come with native print options. If you need to print an email, a document, or a file stored in Google Drive, follow these steps.
Steps for Gmail:
Steps for Google Docs:
These steps also apply to Google Sheets and Google Slides, making it easy to print spreadsheets or presentations.
4. Print images or PDFs directly from your phone’s storage
Android makes it easy to print images, PDFs, and other files directly from your phone’s internal storage or SD card. This method is particularly useful for printing saved images, receipts, or scanned documents. You can easily do this by following the few steps below.
Steps:
Please note that for this to work, the printer typically needs to be connected to the phone via Wi-Fi. Most wireless printers operate over a Wi-Fi network, allowing your phone to communicate with the printer.
5. Print via third-party apps
If you have a printer that doesn’t natively support Android printing, you can use third-party apps like PrinterShare, Mopria Print Service, or HP Smart (depending on your printer’s brand). These apps provide additional features like remote printing, print-from-cloud services, and advanced print settings.
Steps for PrinterShare:
Other apps, such as Mopria Print Service, work similarly and often offer extended support for printers from various manufacturers.
Tips for Printing from WhatsApp
Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master’s and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking. Efosa developed a keen interest in technology policy, specifically exploring the intersection of privacy, security, and politics. His research delves into how technological advancements influence regulatory frameworks and societal norms, particularly concerning data protection and cybersecurity. Upon joining TechRadar Pro, in addition to privacy and technology policy, he is also focused on B2B security products.
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