How to Set Up Wireless Printing on Android Phones
By Liam Davis
-Oct 16, 2025Why Wireless Printing from Android Is So Convenient
The days of emailing files to your computer just to print them are long gone. Modern Android phones, especially those running Android 9.0 (Pie) or newer, come with built-in wireless printing features that work with most major printer brands — HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother among them.
Wireless printing is perfect for:
Home office users who want to print without setup headaches
Small business owners handling invoices and shipping labels
Students printing assignments straight from cloud apps
In short: if your printer and phone share the same Wi-Fi connection, you can print almost anything in seconds.
Step 1 – Check Compatibility and Network Setup
Before printing, make sure your devices are ready to connect.
Here’s your quick pre-print checklist:
✅ Android version: Make sure your phone is running Android 9.0 (Pie) or newer.
✅ Printer support: Verify that your printer supports Wi-Fi printing or Bluetooth.
✅ Network: Both your phone and printer must be connected to the same wireless network.
If your printer uses dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), ensure both devices are on the same frequency. For Bluetooth printers, pair your phone directly through the Bluetooth settings before proceeding.
Step 2 – Enable Printing Services on Android
Android includes a built-in system to manage printing services. To access it:
1. Open Settings on your Android phone.
2. Tap Connected devices → Connection preferences → Printing.
3. You’ll see existing or available print services. Tap Add service to find more.
Common Manufacturer Print Services
Most printer brands provide their own print service plugins. These ensure compatibility and better print control:
HP Print Service Plugin
Canon Print Service
Epson Print Enabler
Brother Print Service Plugin
Install the plugin for your printer brand from the Google Play Store, then toggle it on in your phone’s Printing settings.
Step 3 – Add and Connect Your Printer
Once your chosen print service is enabled, it’s time to connect your printer.
Automatic detection:
Most modern printers will appear automatically when connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Tap your printer from the list to pair.Manual connection:
If your printer isn’t showing up, you can manually add it by entering its IP address or hostname (available from the printer’s network menu or a printed configuration page).
Troubleshooting Tip:
If the printer still doesn’t appear, restart both your phone and printer, then ensure your printer’s wireless mode is enabled or set to “discoverable.”
Step 4 – Print from Android Apps
With your printer connected, you can now print directly from apps like Google Drive, Docs, Photos, Gmail, or Chrome.
Here’s how:
1. Open the document, image, or webpage you want to print.
2. Tap the Menu (⋮) or Share icon.
3. Select Print.
4. Choose your printer and customize options like paper size, color, pages, and copies.
5.Tap Print to start.
Apps That Support Direct Printing
Google Docs and Sheets
Gmail
Chrome
Photos and Gallery
Microsoft Word and Excel
For apps that don’t have a print option, simply take a screenshot and print it from your gallery quick and effective.
Troubleshooting and Tips
Wireless printing can occasionally be tricky, especially with older printer models or complex Wi-Fi setups. Here are a few tips to get things running smoothly:
Use your manufacturer’s print app (e.g., HP Smart, Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, Epson iPrint) if the Android service can’t detect your printer.
Try third-party solutions like Mopria Print Service or ezeep Blue for cross-manufacturer compatibility.
Restart your router, printer, and phone to refresh network connections.
Update your Android OS and printer firmware regularly for improved performance.
Printing Without Native Support
If an app doesn’t support printing, save your document as a PDF or take a screenshot, then print it using your preferred image or file viewer.
Summary and Key Takeaways
Wireless printing on Android phones is easier than ever in 2025 no cables, no fuss.
Here’s the quick recap:
Use Android 9.0+ for the best built-in print support.
Connect your printer and phone to the same Wi-Fi network (or pair via Bluetooth).
Enable your printer’s service plugin from the Play Store.
Print directly from apps using Android’s Share → Print feature.
Once set up, your Android phone becomes a powerful, portable print center.
