How to print from a smartphone on Android?

The easiest way is to print the document using the computer. Especially if it is connected to to the printer using a USB cable. However, we are increasingly entering the Internet with a tablet or smartphone. In this regard, there is a regular need for printing from android when the computer is simply turned off. Is it possible to do this? And if so, how?

Use Google Print

The creators of the Android operating system understood that from time to time her users would desire to print something. At the same time, most often they will not have the ability to connect the printer to the tablet or smartphone directly. And even if such an opportunity was - in the operating system simply there are no drivers for specific printers and MFPs. That is why in Google decided to develop a "cloud" service. Your printer is attached to him, after which you can send a print request from a tablet, smartphone and in general any other device using Internet access. It turns out that at your disposal is a kind of network printer. Your initial actions should be as follows:

Step 1. Register your printer or MFP in Google Cloud Print. The service is supported by any devices, but some of them will work only in a bundle with the computer enabled. Fortunately, most modern printers are equipped with Wi-Fi or port Ethernet - such devices can receive data from the global web directly. So, run on your computer a browser Google Chrome. If you do not have it, then you will need to install it.

Step 2. Press the " menu" button. It is located in the upper right corner and looks like a vertical triple.

Step 3. Select " settings".

Step 4. In the tab that opens, select " Additional. As a rule, it is at the bottom of the page.

Step 5. Scroll through the list until you reach the “Printing” subsection. Here, click on the " Google Cloud Print" button.

Step 6. After that, click " Manage Virtual Printing Enabled Devices".

Step 7. On the page that opens, there will be two or one button « Add printers." It depends on whether your device now has the ability to access the Internet on its own. Press the top button if present. Or the bottom one, if the top one is not displayed for you.

Step 8. You will be taken to the next page. Here you need to check the box next to the name of your printer. You can also leave a checkmark next to the item " Automatically register connected printers" if you can buy a new device in the near future. And if you have several Google accounts, then do not forget to log in to the one you use on your smartphone and tablet. At the end, you will need to click the blue button " Add printer".

This completes the registration of the device in Google Cloud Print. But how now to print the document? It's very simple:

Step 9. Pick up your mobile device. Go to Google Play (Play Market).

Step 10. Search for Cloud Printer .

Step 11. In the list of results, search for " Cloud Print" from Google Inc. Click on it.

Step 12. Press the “ Set ” button.

Step 13. Now you can print any file or document. For example, open a photo through " Gallery" and click the " Share" button. Or do the same in the browser if you want to send a web page to the printer.

Step 14. Find “ Print ” in the displayed list and click on it.

Step 15. This will take you to the print settings screen where you can select DPI, number of copies, image orientation, and some other options. When you decide on the settings, click on the button that shows a paper plane (or the printer itself), this will start the printing process.

That's it. It should be noted that similar services are pre-installed by some smartphone manufacturers. For example, Samsung installs its own virtual printing service on its devices. It operates on a similar principle. Additionally, it allows you to save a web page or image as a PDF document by saving it in the cloud.

Using third-party applications

But how to print from Android directly, bypassing all sorts of "clouds"? After all, the computer may be turned off, and the printer may not be able to access the Internet on its own. In this case, you can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth by sending the document to the printer through this signal. To do this, you will need some third-party application. For example, PrinterShare would be a good choice.

Step 1. Install and launch PrinterShare on your smartphone or tablet.

Step 2. Press the “ Continue ” button.

Step 3. Here you can select the document, website or image you want to print. But first you need to connect to a printer. Therefore, pay attention to the very bottom - here you need to press the button " Select".

Step 4. In the window that appears, select how you want to connect. If your printer can receive a Wi-Fi signal, then select the appropriate item. You can also try connecting the device using a USB cable - there is a chance that the program will recognize the printer. The "Internet Printer" item is intended for those devices that provide an account on the company's website. Here you also see Google Cloud Printer, which was discussed above.

Step 5. Next, it remains to scan the nearest networks and select the one that belongs to your device. It may be necessary to enter the password which will be displayed on the printer screen. In a word, your further actions depend on the specific device model.

Summing up

Print commanders can be printed not only with Android. Relevant applications can be found on other platforms. For example, quite popular PrintHand exists on iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Phone and even Google Glass. Own utilities are produced and printer manufacturers are sufficient to recall HP EPRINT and Epson IPRINT . And do not forget that such a fairly low-touch setting is carried out only for the first time. In the future, you will only need to click " Share" and select " Printing" or the previously downloaded program.