Android · Devices
Set up and manage printers
Printing settings let Android discover printers on your Wi-Fi network or connect to manufacturer print services, so you can print documents, photos, and web pages directly from apps using the system Print option.
How to open Printing
- Open Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing.
- Make sure Default Print Service (or your printer's app) is turned on.
- From any app, tap Share or the menu, then choose Print.
- Select your printer, adjust options, and tap the print icon.
What you should know
- Android's built-in 'Default Print Service' finds printers on the same Wi-Fi network automatically.
- Manufacturer print services (HP, Epson, Canon, etc.) can be installed separately for extra features.
- Any app with a Share or Print menu option can send jobs to a configured printer.
- You can add a printer manually by IP address if automatic discovery doesn't find it.
Printing requires the phone and printer to be on the same Wi-Fi network unless the printer supports Bluetooth or cloud printing.
Why it matters
Being able to print directly from a phone saves time when you need a quick boarding pass, receipt, or document copy without transferring files to a computer first.
Best practices
- Install your printer manufacturer's dedicated print service for features like duplex printing and tray selection.
- Keep the phone and printer on the same Wi-Fi network rather than a guest network, which often blocks local discovery.
- Use 'Save as PDF' from the print preview screen when you just need a digital copy, not paper.
Common problems and fixes
- No printers are found during a search.
- Confirm the printer and phone share the same Wi-Fi network, and that a print service (like Default Print Service) is enabled in Printing settings.
- Print jobs stay queued and never print.
- Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi, restart it, and resend the job — most stuck jobs are a printer-side connectivity drop.
Tips and tricks
- Use the print preview screen to select specific pages or a page range before sending the job, saving paper on long documents.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special app to print from my phone?
No, any app with a Print option in its Share menu can use Android's built-in printing framework.
Can I print over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi?
Some printers support Bluetooth printing, but it requires a manufacturer-specific print service since Android's default service is Wi-Fi based.
Related settings
- Connected DevicesConnected devices is the hub screen for every accessory linked to your phone, including Bluetooth headphones, watches, car systems, and USB or NFC connections, plus shortcuts to Cast and Nearby Share preferences.
- CastCast lets you send audio, video, or your entire phone screen wirelessly to a Chromecast-built-in TV, Chromecast device, or other Cast-enabled speaker on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair headphones, speakers, watches, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
More Devices guides for Android
- USB PreferencesUSB Preferences controls what happens when your phone is plugged into a computer or other USB device — whether it charges only, transfers files, shares a network connection, or acts as a MIDI/audio device.
- Android AutoAndroid Auto projects a simplified, driving-friendly interface — navigation, calls, messaging, and media — onto your car's built-in display, either over a USB cable or wirelessly on supported vehicles.
- Fast PairFast Pair detects nearby supported Bluetooth accessories, such as earbuds or speakers, in pairing mode and shows a one-tap notification to connect instantly, skipping the usual manual Bluetooth pairing menu.
- Previously Connected DevicesThis screen lists every Bluetooth accessory, Chromecast, or other device the phone has connected to in the past, even if currently disconnected or out of range, so you can reconnect, rename, or permanently forget them.
- Phone Hub / Cross-Device ServicesCross-device services link an Android phone to a Chromebook or other trusted devices signed into the same Google Account, enabling features like viewing phone notifications, texting, checking battery level, and instantly tethering internet access from the Chromebook's Phone Hub panel.
- Physical Keyboard SettingsPhysical Keyboard settings appear once a Bluetooth or USB keyboard is connected, letting you select the correct keyboard layout, remap modifier keys, and enable keyboard shortcuts for navigating Android without touching the screen.