How to Print from Tablets or Phones Running Android

Printing something from a mobile device hasn’t always been the most straightforward process in the world. Previously, you might have had to email pictures to yourself and open them on a computer, or hook your camera or phone up via USB, before you could print a photograph, for example.

Believe it or not, you can print directly from your Android phone or tablet even without having a Wi-Fi connected printed in your home or office. Google have implemented a way for you to connect your printer to your Google Chrome account and device, so that you can print remotely. Below, we've put together a guide of how to get set up.

Getting connected to Google Cloud Print

Many modern printers support printing over Wi-Fi internet networks or Bluetooth connections, though older or cheaper printers may not. Thankfully, Google Cloud Print allows you to register a printed and connect it to the internet through their services, which allows you to control it remotely, provided you're connected to the internet.

Although most printers will be compatible with this setup, not every printer is. Google have a list of compatible devices that can easily be found through a quick search online. Once you've clarified that your printer is supported, just follow the below steps to connect it to Google Cloud Print.

1. Open Google Chrome on your laptop or computer;
2. Log into Google Chrome using your Google account;
3. Open the 'Menu' button in the top-right of the browser window;
4. Choose ‘Settings’;
5. Find the section for Google Cloud Print and then choose ‘Manage’;
6. Select ‘Add Printers’;
7. Locate the printer you have connected and then check the box and click 'Add Printers'.

Once you’ve followed all the above steps, you’ll be ready to print directly from your tablet or phone, regardless of whether you’re in close proximity to the printing device.

How to print from your Android phone or tablet

Depending upon the type of Android smartphone that you have, you may or may not need to download an application. Some Android devices, such as the Google Pixel, will have Google Cloud Print compatibility built directly into the Android operating system. If yours doesn't, then you will need to open the Google Play Store and locate the 'Cloud Print' application; this won’t cost you anything to download.

Using the application is straightforward; it almost functions as an add-on for your phone, and you don't have to run it to be able to use it. Just follow the below steps to get going.

1. Open whatever document or photo you would like to print;
2. Choose 'Menu', which is the three dots in the upper right of the screen;
3. Select ‘Print’;
4. Select the arrow and change ‘Save as PDF’ to the printer you set up above;
5. Finally, click on ‘Print’.

Alternatives

If for any reason you would prefer not to download the Google Cloud Print application, then there are a couple of alternative methods that you can use to get your files from your phone onto your computer. We have previously published an article on how you can transfer files from an Android device onto a Windows PC, using email, Bluetooth, USB cable or SD card. Simply click on the above link to find out more.

WiseGuys support

WiseGuys can provide more Android support and advice like the steps set out above. If you’d like to know anything more about what your Android phone or tablet can do, or have any questions at all, then you can reach us on 0808 123 2820.