Even though more and more people are living their lives online, this doesn’t mean that we have gone paperless. Even though emails and texts are convenient, sometimes an image or document on a computer is not enough. Printing to a physical printer was easy when we all used laptops or desktops. More and more people are now using their smartphones to do their computing. How can you print from your smartphone? You can use the new network printer.
Printing directly from Android devices via USB
You might not realize it, but you could plug your printer directly into your smartphone. The USB Type B cable (the square one), which connects printers to computers, is usually a USB Type A cable (the normal one). You’ll need either a USB hub, or an On-The Go adapter to connect the old USB cable to your smartphone.
Other printers may require that you install software in order to connect to the printer. HP, as an example, requires the installation of an app on your smartphone.
You can now print wirelessly from your Android device
Wireless printing comes in a couple of basic flavors, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. No matter what method you prefer, it can be a difficult process to set up. It can also be different between printer models and printer manufacturers. Once you’ve set up your printer, it will work on all Android devices. However, there are some differences between apps.
Google Docs Printing
Google Docs is available for free on all modern Android devices. You can also print easily.
- Open Google Docs Click on the desired option ⋮ Click to view the icon In the lower-right hand corner of the document that you want to print.
- Scroll down the list and tap the bottom. Print.
- Once the preview of the document appears, tap the button. Printer icon.
Printing is available in the document view as well, but it is a slightly different process.
- Tap the Print button to open the Google Doc you wish to print. ⋮ Click to view the icon The upper-right corner.
- Tap Share & export Click on the menu.
- Select Print.
- The button will appear when you tap it. Printer icon.
This method also works with Google Drive, Sheets and Slides (which can display Word and PDF documents),
Google Chrome: Printing
It’s not as common to print from a website as it used to be, but it is possible if you wish.
- Select the webpage you wish to print.
- Tap to learn more ⋮ Click to view the icon The upper-right corner.
- Select the desired menu item. Share.
- Scroll right and tap Print.
- The button will appear when you tap it. Printer icon.
Firefox mobile doesn’t offer a printing option. However, you can save the page as a PDF and then open it in Google Drive to print it.
Printing Gmail messages
You may want to print your emails, even though it isn’t common anymore.
- Open the email message you want to copy.
- Tap to learn more ⋮ Click to view the icon The upper-left corner.
- Select Print From the menu.
- The button will appear when you tap it. Printer icon.
Google Photos: Printing Photos
It’s not all about business when you print from your Android. You may want to print your photos in order to keep them as a reminder of the memories you have instead of letting them disappear into the cloud.
- Select the photo that you want to print from Google Photos.
- Touch it ⋮ Click to view the icon The upper-right corner.
- Slide the menu below the photo and tap Print.
- The button will appear when you tap it. Printer icon.
By long pressing a photo within your album, you can access the menu that includes the option to print.
The right to print
Printing from our smartphones is now easier than ever thanks to the ubiquitous wireless home networks, and the sophistication of our mobile computers. You’ll have to navigate your printer’s terrible UI in order to connect it to your network. If you don’t want to stay in the Google ecosystem then check out these alternatives to Google Docs.