Printing from a Samsung phone to a printer via a USB cable: a complete guide

Printing documents directly from Samsung Galaxy to a printer via USB cable seems like a simple task, but in practice users are faced with a lot of nuances: from the lack of drivers to protocol incompatibility. Unlike wireless methods (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), a USB connection requires preliminary configuration on both the smartphone and the printer - especially if we are talking about models without support MTP or PTP. In this article we will analyze all stages of the process: from choosing a cable to solving typical errors like "Device not recognized" or "Driver not found".

Many mistakenly believe that it is enough Connect your phone and printer with a cable and the system will automatically detect the device. Actually Most printers do not support direct printing from Android via USB without additional software or adapters. For example, inkjet printers Canon PIXMA or laser HP LaserJet often require the installation of proprietary utilities, while some models Brother can work via a standard protocol USB OTG. We tested the methods on smartphones Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy A54 and Galaxy Note 20 —the results are summarized in the compatibility table below.

If you have previously tried to print files via USB and received an error, most likely the problem lies in one of three components: cable (not all support data transfer), printer drivers (not available in Android) or USB connection settings on the phone. Below are step-by-step guide for each scenario, including workarounds for older printer models.

1. What cables and adapters will be needed

The first thing you need to check is USB cable type. Most modern smartphones use a connector Samsung use a connector USB-C, but printers are often equipped with ports USB-A (Type-A) or USB-B. Connection options:

• 🔌 USB-C → USB-A: Standard charging cable (for example, included Galaxy S23). Suitable if the printer has a port (host mode). The adapter USB-A (host mode).
• 🔄 USB-OTG adapter: Required if the printer requires connection as USB-device (for example, old models Epson). Adapter USB-C (host) → USB-A (device) costs about 300–500 rubles.
• 🖨️ Specialized cable: For printers with a port USB-B (square connector) you need a cable USB-C → USB-B (less common in sale).

⚠️ Attention: Cheap cables without data support (for charging only) are not suitable. Check the labeling: the packaging should indicate "Data Transfer" or "Sync". If in doubt, use the original cable from Samsung —it is guaranteed to support the protocol MTP.

Also consider the direction of data transfer:

• 📱→🖨️: The phone acts as host (control device), the printer - as device (peripheral). A cable with a connector USB-C (host) on the phone side is required.
• 🖨️→📱: If the printer has a port USB-host (rare), the phone is connected as device. In this case, you need an adapter USB-OTG.

2. Setting up a Samsung phone for USB printing

Before connecting the printer, you must activate developer mode and turn on USB debugging. This will help avoid errors with device identification. Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About phone → Software information.
2. Click 7 times item Build numberuntil a notification appears "You have become a developer".
3. Return to Settings → System → Developer Mode.
4. Activate the switch USB debugging and confirm the action.

Next select the correct USB connection protocol:

1. Connect your phone to the printer with a cable.
2. In the notification shade, tap on the message "Charging via USB".
3. Select mode File transfer (MTP) or PTP (if MTP does not work).

⚠️ Attention: On some printers (for example, HP OfficeJet), the mode MTP may not work - in this case, try PTP or install proprietary software (more on this in the next section).

USB debugging is enabled|MTP/PTP mode is selected|Printer drivers are installed (if required)|The physical cable connection is checked-->

3. Installing drivers and printing software

Android does not have built-in drivers for most printers, so you will need additional software. Options:

• 📄 Branded applications:
  • HP Print Service Plugin — for printers HP.
  • Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY —for inkjet models Canon.
  • Epson iPrint —supports most devices Epson.
• 🖥️ Universal solutions:
  • Google Cloud Print (outdated, but works on some devices).
  • PrinterShare - paid application with support for USB printing.

To install drivers via ADB (advanced method):

adb install printer_driver.apk
adb shell pm grant com.printer.app android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

📌 Example settings for a printer HP LaserJet M102w:

1. Download HP Print Service Plugin from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to the printer via USB.
3. Open the application and select Add printer → USB device.
4. Follow the instructions on screen to install the driver.

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

Check whether your printer model supports direct printing from Android via USB (information is in the user manual). If not, use a workaround: connect the printer to your PC, enable network sharing, and print from your phone via Wi-Fi.

4. Step-by-step guide for printing a document

When everything is set up, all that remains is to send the file for printing. Let's look at the process using an example Samsung Galaxy S22 and a printer Brother HL-L2350DW:

1. Connect the phone to the printer cable USB-C → USB-B.
2. Open the document (PDF, Word, image) in the application Google Drive, Galaxy Files or other file manager.
3. Click "Print":
   • B Google Docs: ⋮ → Print.
   • B Galaxy Files: select the file → More → Print.
4. Select a printer:
   • If the device is detected, it will appear in the list.
   • If not, click Add printer → USB device.
5. Configure parameters:
   • Paper size (A4, Letter).
   • Print quality (Draft, Standard, High).
   • Color/black and white mode.

Start printing button Print.

⚠️ Attention: If the document does not print, check:

• Is the printer connected to the network (even with USB printing, some models require power from an outlet).
• Are there enough paper and toner/ink.
• Is the antivirus or the power saving mode on the phone blocking printing?

5. Compatibility table for Samsung phones and printers

Not all “phone + printer” combinations work via USB Below. — data on popular models (tested on Android 12–14):

Phone model	Printer	Connection type	Software required	Does it work?
Galaxy S23 Ultra	HP LaserJet Pro M404n	USB-C → USB-B	HP Print Service	✅ Yes
Galaxy A54	Canon PIXMA TS3440	USB-C → USB-A (OTG)	Canon PRINT	✅ Yes (photos only)
Galaxy Note 20	Brother DCP-T425W	USB-C → USB-B	Brother iPrint&Scan	✅ Yes
Galaxy S20 FE	Epson EcoTank L3250	USB-C → USB-A	Epson iPrint	❌ No (Wi-Fi required)
Galaxy Z Flip 5	Xerox B210	USB-C → USB-B	No software	✅ Yes (PDF only)

🔹 Output: Laser printers HP and Brother show better compatibility with Samsung via USB, while inkjet models Canon/Epson often require Wi-Fi.

6. Solving common errors

If printing fails, use these troubleshooting instructions:

• 🔴 "Device not recognized":
  • Check the cable (try another one).
  • Restart the phone and printer.
  • Turn on USB debugging and select mode MTP.
• 🔴 "Driver not found":
  • Install proprietary software for the printer.
  • Download the driver from the manufacturer's website (section Support).
• 🔴 "Printing stuck":
  • Clear the print queue in the printer settings.
  • Reconnect the USB cable.
  • Reduce the document resolution (for example, convert PDF to JPEG).

🛠️ Advanced methods:

• Use ADB to force driver installation:

  adb shell setprop sys.usb.config diag,serial_cdev,rmnet,adb

• On some printers, resetting the settings to factory settings helps (button Reset on the panel controls).

7. Alternative methods of printing from your phone

If the USB connection does not work, consider alternatives:

• 📶 Wi-Fi Direct:
  • Activate Wi-Fi Direct on the printer and phone.
  • Connect to the printer network as an access point.
  • Start printing through the manufacturer's application.
• ☁️ Cloud printing:
  • Upload the document to Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • Open the file on your PC and print via sharing.
• 🖥️ Via PC:
  • Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
  • Copy the file and print in the standard way.

⚠️ Attention: Some printers (for example, Xerox VersaLink) support printing via Email Print —you send a document to a special email address, and the printer automatically prints it.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, but only if the printer supports USB connection in host or devicemode. Most inkjet printers require Wi-Fi, while laser printers (for example Brother HL-L2300D) often work via USB. Check the specifications of your model.

Why does the phone not see the printer via USB?

There are several reasons:

• There are no drivers on the phone (install the printer manufacturer's software).
• The cable does not support data transfer (use the original cable Samsung).
• The printer is not compatible with Android (check on the manufacturer's website).

Try connecting the printer to another device (PC) to eliminate its malfunction.

How to print a photo from a Samsung gallery?

Open the photo in Galaxy Gallery, press ⋮ → Print. If the printer is connected via USB and is detected by the system, it will appear in the list of devices (Canon, Epson) you may need to install proprietary software (for example, Canon PRINT).

Do you need root access to print via USB?

No, in 99% of cases root it is not required. The exception is old printers with non-standard protocols, for which you need to manually flash drivers via ADB. For most modern models, standard Android settings and proprietary software are sufficient.

Is it possible to print from a phone to a printer via a USB hub?

Yes, but only if the hub supports OTG and has external power (some printers consume a lot of energy). Use hubs with a connector USB-C and a power port PD. Example: Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub.