Hey Android enthusiasts! Ever stumbled upon a situation where you needed to print something directly from your Android device? Maybe it's a crucial document, a boarding pass, or even just a funny meme you want to share in physical form. Well, you're in luck! Printing from your Android phone or tablet is easier than you might think. Let's dive into the secret world of Android printing and explore some fantastic apps that can make your life a whole lot easier.
Before we jump into the app recommendations, let's quickly cover the basics. Most modern printers support Wi-Fi printing, which means you can connect your Android device to the same network as your printer and print wirelessly. Android also has a built-in printing framework that allows apps to easily integrate with printers. However, sometimes you need a little extra help, and that's where these apps come in!
Here are some of the best Android apps for printing, each with its own unique features and benefits:
1. PrinterShare Mobile Print
PrinterShare Mobile Print is a powerhouse when it comes to printing from your Android device. It supports a wide range of printers, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and even USB-connected printers (with a little extra setup). You can print documents, photos, contacts, SMS messages, call logs, web pages, and more. It also offers cloud printing support, allowing you to print from Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage services.
One of the standout features of PrinterShare is its ability to print directly to older printers that don't have built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. By installing the PrinterShare software on your computer, you can share your printer with your Android device over your local network. This makes it a great option for those who have older printers that they don't want to replace.
The app offers both a free and a paid version. The free version allows you to print test pages, while the paid version unlocks all the features and removes ads. If you're a heavy printer user, the paid version is definitely worth considering.
Download PrinterShare Mobile PrintSearch PrinterShare Mobile Print on Play Store
2. HP Smart
If you own an HP printer, the HP Smart app is a must-have. It's designed to work seamlessly with HP printers, providing a user-friendly interface for printing, scanning, and managing your printer. You can easily print documents, photos, and web pages from your Android device. The app also allows you to scan documents and save them as PDFs or JPEGs.
HP Smart goes beyond just printing and scanning. It also offers features like mobile faxing, allowing you to send faxes directly from your phone or tablet. You can also monitor your printer's ink levels and order new supplies directly from the app. It's a comprehensive tool for managing your HP printer and streamlining your printing workflow.
The app is free to download and use, and it's compatible with a wide range of HP printers. If you're an HP printer owner, HP Smart is the perfect companion app to get the most out of your printer.
Download HP SmartSearch HP Smart on Play Store
3. Canon PRINT Business
Canon PRINT Business is tailored for Canon laser printers and multifunction printers. This app enables you to print documents, photos, and web pages directly from your Android device. It also supports scanning, allowing you to scan documents and save them to your device or cloud storage services.
A key feature of Canon PRINT Business is its integration with various cloud services, including Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. This makes it easy to access and print documents stored in the cloud. The app also supports printing from email attachments and web browsers.
Canon PRINT Business is designed with business users in mind, offering features like department ID management and secure printing. It's a robust and reliable app for printing from your Android device to Canon laser printers.
Download Canon PRINT BusinessSearch Canon PRINT Business on Play Store
4. Epson iPrint
Epson iPrint is the official printing app for Epson printers. It allows you to easily print photos, documents, and web pages from your Android device. The app also supports scanning, enabling you to scan documents and save them to your device or cloud storage services.
One of the standout features of Epson iPrint is its ability to print directly from cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box. You can also print from email attachments and web browsers. The app also offers advanced printing options, such as borderless printing and color adjustments.
Epson iPrint is a free app that's compatible with a wide range of Epson printers. If you own an Epson printer, this app is a must-have for easy and convenient printing from your Android device.
Download Epson iPrintSearch Epson iPrint on Play Store
5. Samsung Mobile Print
Samsung Mobile Print is designed for Samsung printers, offering a seamless printing experience from your Android device. You can print photos, documents, and web pages with ease. The app also supports scanning, allowing you to scan documents and save them to your device or share them via email.
A notable feature of Samsung Mobile Print is its NFC (Near Field Communication) support. If your printer and Android device both support NFC, you can simply tap your device to the printer to establish a connection and start printing. This makes printing even faster and more convenient.
Samsung Mobile Print also integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, allowing you to print documents stored in the cloud. The app is free to download and use, and it's compatible with a wide range of Samsung printers.
Download Samsung Mobile PrintSearch Samsung Mobile Print on Play Store
6. Brother iPrint&Scan
Brother iPrint&Scan is the official app for Brother printers and all-in-one devices. It allows you to print photos, documents, and web pages directly from your Android device. The app also supports scanning, enabling you to scan documents and save them to your device or cloud storage services.
One of the key features of Brother iPrint&Scan is its user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and find the features you need. The app also supports printing from cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. You can also print from email attachments and web browsers.
Brother iPrint&Scan is a free app that's compatible with a wide range of Brother printers and all-in-one devices. If you own a Brother printer, this app is a must-have for easy and convenient printing and scanning from your Android device.
Download Brother iPrint&ScanSearch Brother iPrint&Scan on Play Store
7. Google Cloud Print (Deprecated, but still relevant for some)
While Google Cloud Print is no longer officially supported by Google, it's still worth mentioning because it might be relevant for some users with older printers or specific setups. Google Cloud Print allowed you to print to any printer connected to the internet, regardless of whether it was a cloud-ready printer or a classic printer connected to a computer.
To use Google Cloud Print, you needed to connect your printer to your Google account. Once connected, you could print from any device that was also logged into your Google account, including your Android device. While Google has officially ended support for Google Cloud Print, some third-party apps and services may still utilize its underlying technology.
It's important to note that Google recommends migrating to alternative printing solutions, such as the built-in printing framework in Android or the printer-specific apps mentioned above. However, if you're still using Google Cloud Print, it's worth exploring alternative options to ensure continued printing functionality.
Search Google Cloud Print on Play Store
Tips for Successful Android Printing
Now that we've covered some of the best Android printing apps, here are a few tips to ensure a smooth and successful printing experience:
- Make sure your printer is compatible: Before downloading any printing app, check to see if it's compatible with your printer model. Most apps provide a list of supported printers on their website or in the app description.
- Connect to the same Wi-Fi network: Your Android device and printer need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network in order to print wirelessly.
- Install the necessary printer drivers: Some printers may require you to install printer drivers on your Android device. The printing app will usually guide you through this process.
- Adjust printing settings: Most printing apps allow you to adjust printing settings such as paper size, orientation, and print quality. Experiment with these settings to get the best results.
- Troubleshoot connection issues: If you're having trouble connecting to your printer, try restarting both your Android device and your printer. You can also check your Wi-Fi connection to make sure it's stable.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Printing Techniques
Once you've mastered the basics of Android printing, you can explore some advanced techniques to further enhance your printing experience:
- Printing from cloud storage: Most printing apps allow you to print directly from cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. This is a great way to print documents that you've stored in the cloud.
- Printing from email attachments: You can also print directly from email attachments using most printing apps. Simply open the email attachment and select the Print option.
- Printing web pages: Printing web pages from your Android device is easy with most printing apps. Simply open the web page in your browser and select the Print option.
- Printing photos: Printing photos from your Android device is a great way to share your memories with friends and family. Most printing apps offer advanced photo printing options, such as borderless printing and color adjustments.
- Using mobile printing services: Some mobile printing services allow you to print documents remotely, even when you're not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. This can be useful if you need to print something while you're on the go.
The Future of Android Printing
The future of Android printing looks bright, with continued advancements in both hardware and software. We can expect to see more printers with built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, making it even easier to print wirelessly from our Android devices. We can also expect to see more sophisticated printing apps with advanced features and improved user interfaces.
One exciting development is the rise of mobile printing services, which allow us to print documents remotely from anywhere in the world. These services are becoming increasingly popular, and we can expect to see even more innovative solutions in the future.
Conclusion
Printing from your Android device is easier than ever, thanks to the wide range of printing apps available on the Google Play Store. Whether you need to print documents, photos, or web pages, there's an app out there that can meet your needs. By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you can unlock the secret world of Android printing and enjoy a seamless and convenient printing experience.
So, go ahead and explore the world of Android printing. Download a few of the apps mentioned above and start printing from your phone or tablet today! You'll be amazed at how easy and convenient it is.
Remember to always check the compatibility of the app with your printer model and to connect to the same Wi-Fi network. With a little bit of setup, you'll be printing like a pro in no time!
Happy printing, Android enthusiasts!