Printing documents and photos directly from your phone has become increasingly easy and convenient over the years.
Whether you need to print a family photo or a work document, many of the best Android phones and printers offer a seamless printing experience to let you turn digital to physical in a matter of moments.
Here’s how to get started.
How to print from an Android phone
Printing from an Android phone involves a few simple steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Connect your printer
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Ensure your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Android phone.
For Bluetooth printers, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both devices and they are paired.
Add a printer to your Android phone
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Most modern Android phones can automatically detect printers on the same network. However, sometimes you might need to add a printer manually.
To do so, go to your phone’s settings, type “printing” in the search bar and select ‘Printing’ from the results.
Then, tap ‘Add service’ to download and install the necessary print service plugin for your printer brand.
Once the plugin is installed, your printer should appear in the list of available printers.
Print a document or photo
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Now that your printer is connected, you can print directly from apps that support printing. Use an app like Google Docs, Gmail, the Gallery app or simply go through your files to open the one you want to print.
Next, tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and select ‘Print’. You may need to tap ‘Share’ first and then select ‘Print’.
And finally choose your printer from the list of available devices and tap the print icon to send the document or photo to your printer.
Use manufacturer apps
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For more control and additional features, you can also use printer-specific apps. Here are some popular ones:
- HP Smart: Allows you to print, scan, and troubleshoot HP printers.
- Canon PRINT: Supports printing and scanning for Canon printers.
- Epson iPrint: Enables printing and scanning for Epson devices.
- Brother iPrint&Scan: Provides print and scan functionality for Brother printers.
Download the relevant app from the Google Play Store, follow the setup instructions and use it to manage your printing tasks.
Which Android phones can you print from?
Most Android phones manufactured in the last several years support printing. This includes phones from popular brands like:
- Samsung: Models from the Galaxy series, including S, Note and A lines
- Google: Pixel phones, including the Pixel 3, 4, 5, 6 and newer models
- OnePlus: Devices like the OnePlus 6, 7, 8 and later
- Huawei: Models from the P series, Mate series and others
- Sony: Xperia series.
Most Android devices running Android 4.4 (KitKat) and above come with native printing capabilities integrated into the operating system. This makes it possible for a wide range of Android devices to support printing without additional software.
Which printers let you print from an Android phone?
To print from an Android phone, you need a compatible printer that is connected directly via Bluetooth to your phone or to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
Popular printer models compatible with Android printing include:
- HP: Models like HP Envy, HP OfficeJet and HP LaserJet.
- Canon: PIXMA, MAXIFY and imageCLASS series.
- Epson: EcoTank, WorkForce and Expression series.
- Brother: MFC series, HL series and DCP series.
- Samsung: Xpress and ProXpress series.
If you need one, be sure to check out our list of the best printers you can buy right now. You can also opt for one of the best 3D printers or best portable printers to print on the go.
Author: Artur Tomala, Mobile Writer, Tech Advisor
Artur is a Mobile Writer at Tech Advisor, where he covers a range of smartphone, tablet and smartwatch-related topics. He has been working in the tech industry since 2021, including time spent leading a team focused on mobile news, reviews and product rankings. As an ambassador for the productivity app Notion, he runs training workshops and creates advanced templates to help people stay organised and productive.