4 Methods to print from android phone

This post will show you how to print from an Android phone – and there are more than a few ways to do it. Don’t worry, we’ll cover them all.

Method 1: Use Phone Default Printing Service

To use this method, your printer needs to be WI-FI enabled and then follow the steps below.

  • Go to Settings on your phone, scroll to Connected Device tap on it, tap on Connection Preferences, tap on Printing, tap on Default Printing Services, toggle it on.
  • Turn on your printer (must be Wi-Fi enabled), and it will appear on your default print service list.
  • Minimize the Settings tab and go to the file you want to print.
  • While viewing the file, tap on the menu and then tap Print.
  • Tap on Select a Printer and then tap on the name of the printer you initially connected.
  • Tap Ok to continue and complete the process.

Method 2: Use the Printer Plugin/App

Most of these printers have phone apps and we are going to show how they can be used below.

  • Tap on Settings on your phone, then tap on connected devices.
  • From Connected Devices, tap on Printing, then tap on Default Printing Service.
  • Tap on Add Services. It will take you to the App Store app and show lists of printer apps available.
  • Select your printer app from the list and install it.
  • After installing, go back to the printing service page, the app should be on the list.
  • Close the Settings and open the file you intend to print.
  • While on the file app, tap the menu button and then tap Print.
  • Select your printer from the list of options that are going to display.
  • Tap Ok to print after selecting the printer.

Method 3: Print Over Email

Another option you could use if you have a supported printer is printing over email. Some printers come with an email address that you can use to print from anywhere. Simply open your email app, attach the file that you want to print, and the printer will take care of the rest.

The benefit of this is that you can print from anywhere at any time (as long as your printer is switched on and connected to a network). The printer doesn’t have to be on the same network as your phone.

The downside is that it only supports certain file types. These do include all common image and office files, but if you’ve got a proprietary file type from a specific app then you won’t be able to print that over email.

Method 4: Print Using Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi direct is another simple way to print from your mobile phone wirelessly. Your printer should support Wi-Fi Direct to use this feature.

  • Go to the settings of your android phone.
how to print from my android phone
  • Now, find “Network & Internet” and open it.
how to print from my android phone
  • Open Wi-Fi and click on “Wifi Preferences”.
how to print from my android phone
  • Click on “Advances Wi-Fi settings” and open WiFi Direct.
  • It will start scanning for the printer. To connect with the printer, accept the connection.
  • Now, choose the file you would like to print, and click on share. A dialogue box will pop up, choose the print option from here, and choose the printer you wish to print with.
  • If you want to print photos, go to Google Photos or open your phone gallery.

Tap on the share, and choose the “Print” option, select the printer and configure the settings like Color Print or Black and White, and then click on print, the photo will be printed.

How to Print Documents on Android?

When you are ready to print, the process is different depending on which apps you’re using. Some apps, including Google apps and third-party file managers and image viewers, have a dedicated Print option in the menu.

  • Tap the Print button.
  • Select your printer from the drop-down menu (it may default to the Save as PDF option).
  • Swipe down from the top to change the print settings, such as the number of copies, page orientation, paper size, and so on.
  • When finished, tap the printer icon to print. It’s essentially the same as printing from your desktop.

Some apps don’t have a dedicated print button. Instead, the option is often hidden beneath the Share menu. Tap the Share button to find the print option. You might need to swipe left in the options before you see it. The actual steps for printing are the same as above.