How to print a document from Android to a printer via Wi-Fi: a complete guide

Printing documents directly from your phone to Wi-Fi printer saves time and eliminates the need to transfer files to your computer. Modern smartphones support wireless printing out of the box, but many users encounter problems: devices do not find each other, drivers are not installed, and documents are printed with errors. In this article, we will look at all connection methods, from standard solutions to avoiding common errors. Android 12-15 support wireless printing out of the box, but many users encounter problems: devices cannot find each other, drivers are not installed, and documents are printed with errors. In this article we will look at all connection methods, from standard solutions to workarounds for common errors.

With the development of technology Google Cloud Print (which, by the way, officially closed since December 2020, but its alternatives work more stable), printing from mobile phones has become easier. However, not all printers support modern protocols, and manufacturers often change pairing algorithms. We tested the methods on devices Samsung Galaxy S23, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Google Pixel 7 —all instructions are relevant for the latest versions of Android.

If your printer was manufactured before 2018, check its compatibility with Mopria Print Service or Wi-Fi Direct. Older models may require manual installation of drivers via a PC, but this will be discussed in a separate section.

1. Preparation: what you need to print from Android to a printer

Before you start setting up, make sure that the basic conditions are met:

• 📱 Android 8.0 or later (older versions may lack drivers).
• 🖨️ Printer with Wi-Fi support (exception - models with Wi-Fi Directwhich create their own network).
• 🌐 Both devices are connected to one Wi-Fi network (or the printer is configured as an access point).
• 📄 The print file is saved in a supported format: .pdf, .docx, .jpg, .png.

If the printer does not have a display, check the indicators on the panel: a lit green/blue LED usually means a successful connection to the network. On models HP LaserJet or Canon PIXMA you may need to press a button WPS to pair.

Important: some corporate networks (for example, in offices or universities) block the protocol mDNSwhich is used to detect printers. In this case, try connecting via Wi-Fi Direct or mobile hotspot.

2. Method 1: Printing via the built-in Android service (Mopria)

Most modern printers support the standard Mopria Print Service —a universal printing protocol for Android. Here's how to use it:

1. Open a document (for example, PDF in Google Drive or photo in Gallery).
2. Click ⋮ → Print (or Share → Print).
3. Select from the list of printers Add service → Mopria Print Service.
4. After installing the application (if it is not pre-installed), your printer will appear in the list.

If the printer is not displayed:

• 🔄 Restart both the phone and the printer.
• 📶 Make sure that both devices are in same network (check the IP addresses in the Wi-Fi settings).
• 🛠️ Update the printer firmware through the official manufacturer software (for example, HP Smart or Canon PRINT).

Mopria Print Service installed|Phone and printer are on the same network|Printer application is updated|File is open in a supported format

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Mopria does not work with printers released before 2015 - they will require proprietary software from the manufacturer.

3. Method 2: Using proprietary applications from manufacturers

Large brands offer their own printing solutions They are often more stable than built-in Android services, especially for older printer models. popular:

Printer brand	Application	Features
HP	HP Smart	Supports scanning, printing from clouds, configuration via QR code.
Canon	Canon PRINT	Works with PIXMA i imageCLASS, there is an editor before printing.
Epson	Epson iPrint	Printing with Google Drive, Dropbox, support AirPrint.
Brother	Brother iPrint&Scan	Can print web pages directly from the browser.

Instructions for HP Smart (similar for other brands):

1. Download the application from Google Play.
2. Register or log in via Google/AApple ID.
3. Click Add a printer → select a model from the list or scan the QR code on the case device.
4. Once connected, open the file and select Print via HP Smart.

⚠️ Attention: some applications (for example, Epson iPrint) require creating an account with the manufacturer. If you do not want to register, use Mopria or Wi-Fi Direct.

What to do if the application does not find the printer?

Try to connect via Wi-Fi Direct (activate direct connection mode on the printer). If this does not work, reset the network settings on the printer: this is usually done by holding down the Wi-Fi or Reset button for 10 seconds. After resetting, repeat the setup.

4. Method 3: Printing via Wi-Fi Direct (without a router)

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect your phone directly to the printer, bypassing the router. This is useful if:

• 🏠 There is no access to a shared Wi-Fi network (for example, at a party).
• 🔒 The corporate network blocks printing.
• 📡 The printer does not support standard protocols (Mopria, AirPrint).

Instructions:

1. On the printer, activate Wi-Fi Direct (usually in the menu Settings → NetworkRemember the network name and password (for example, DIRECT-xx-HP_OfficeJet_Pro_9015).
2. On On your phone, open Settings → Wi-Fi and connect to the printer network.
3. Open the document, select Printing → your printer will appear in the list.

⚠️ Attention: After printing, do not forget to reconnect to the main Wi-Fi network - otherwise the phone will be left without the Internet.

5. Solving problems: the printer is not found or does not print

If printing fails, check these. moments:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
The application does not see the printer	Devices on different networks	Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi networks or use Wi-Fi Direct.
The document goes to print, but is not printed	Out of paper/toner	Check the indicators on the printer, replace the cartridge.
Error "Incompatible format"	File in a rare format (for example, .odt)	Convert to .pdf via Google Docs or LibreOffice.
Slow printing or connection breaks	Weak signal Wi-Fi	Move the printer closer to the router or use a signal repeater.

To diagnose the connection:

1. On your phone, open Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi.
2. Find your network and check IP address (must be in the range 192.168.x.x).
3. Print on a printer Network report (usually through the menu Settings → Network → Print report) and compare IP.

If the IP addresses of the phone and printer are very different (for example, 192.168.1.x vs 10.0.x.x), then the devices are connected to different networks (the phone may be using mobile data).

6. Printing via cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox)

If the direct method does not work, you can upload the document to the cloud and print from there. Suitable for printers with support Google Cloud Print (although the service is closed, some models are still compatible) or proprietary cloud solutions (for example, HP ePrint).

Instructions for Google Drive:

1. Upload the file to Google Drive.
2. Open it in the application, click ⋮ → Open with → Print.
3. Select a printer from the list (must be connected to the same network).

For HP ePrint:

1. Register the printer in the service HP Connected (via the website or application HP Smart).
2. The printer will be assigned a unique email (for example, printer12345@hpeprint.com).
3. Send a document to this address from your phone - it will automatically print.

7. Alternative methods: USB-OTG and third-party applications

If Wi-Fi printing is not possible, there are two options:

1. Connection via USB-OTG

• 🔌 Buy OTG adapter (for example, USB-C → USB-A for modern smartphones).
• 🖨️ Connect the printer with a cable USB-A → USB-B (standard for most printers).
• 📱 Install the application PrinterShare or PrintHand to control printing.

2. Third-party printing applications

• 📄 PrinterShare —supports more than 5,000 printer models, works via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB.
• 🌐 PrintHand Mobile Print —can print web pages and email directly.
• 🖼️ Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY —specialized solution for photo printing.

⚠️ Attention: when connected via USB, some printers require additional drivers. For example, for models Brother you may need to install the .apkfile from the official website.

8. phone

Wireless printing is convenient, but creates risks of data leakage Follow these rules:

• 🔒 Use WPA3 to protect the Wi-Fi network (in the router settings, select Security → WPA3-Personal).
• 📂 Delete files from the print queue after completion (in applications like HP Smart there is an option Clear queue).
• 🚫 Do not print confidential documents (passports, bank statements) through public networks.

For corporate users:

• Set up VPN on your phone before connecting to an office printer.
• Use Secure Print (if the printer supports): the document is printed only after entering the PIN code on the device panel.

If the printer supports AirPrint (for example, many models Epson), but you are using Android, install the application AirPrint Enabler to emulate this protocol.

How to check if the printer is not saving your documents?

Some office printers (for example, Xerox WorkCentre) have internal memory and can store printed files. To clear it:

1. Go to the printer menu: Settings → System settings → Clear memory.
2. Select Clear all data or Reset settings.
3. To be completely sure, disable the function Saving tasks (if it is available).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about printing from Android to a printer

Is it possible to print from Android to a printer without Wi-Fi?

Yes, there are three options:

1. Wi-Fi Direct — directly connecting the phone to the printer.
2. USB-OTG — via an adapter and cable (printer support required).
3. Bluetooth —rarely found, but some models (for example, Canon Selphy) support.

The most universal method is Wi-Fi Direct, but it does not work on all printers.

Why does the printer print blank sheets or hieroglyphs?

This problem occurs due to:

• Incompatible file format (for example, .xlsx without conversion to .pdf).
• Failure Printer driver (update the firmware via Manufacturer's software).
• Shortages Printer memory (try printing page by page).

Solution: convert the document to .pdf via Google Docs or reduce the resolution of images before printing.

How to print from a phone to a printer connected to a computer?

If the printer is connected to a PC via USB, but you want to print from Android, there are two ways:

1. Sharing via PC:
   • On your computer, open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
   • RMB on the printer → Printer properties → Access → Shared access.
   • On your phone, connect to this PC via the app PrinterShare.

Virtual printer:

• Install on PC Google Cloud Print (via Chrome) or PaperCut Mobility Print.
• Add the printer to the cloud and print from your phone.

⚠️ To do this, the computer must be turned on and connected to the same network as the phone.

Is it possible to print from Android to a 3D printer?

Yes, but only through specialized applications such as:

• PrusaLink (for printers Prusa).
• OctoPrint (requires connection to Raspberry Pi).
• AstroPrint (cloud service for managing 3D printing).

Standard methods (via Mopria or Wi-Fi Direct) for 3D printing not suitable - you need G-code files and firmware with support for network management (for example, Marlin 2.0+).

How to cancel a print job from your phone?

Cancel methods depend on the printing method:

• Via Mopria/Google: open the notification panel → tap on the print notification → Cancel.
• Through proprietary software: in the printer application (for example, HP Smart) find the section Print queue.
• On the printer itself: click button Cancel or Reset (usually red).

If the job is stuck, restart the printer (turn off for 30 seconds).