How to Connect Phone to Printer: Step-by-Step Guide for Android & iPhone Users 

Introduction 

Printing directly on your smart phone seems tricky in the beginning, but with the right method, it can be done quickly and conveniently. You can print the document, photo, or invoice directly from your smartphone once you know the right method. In fact, it is very simple and convenient without using the computer. In this blog, you will learn how to connect phone to a printer using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, and smart printing apps. 

Check if your printer supports mobile printing 

Before starting, make sure your printer supports mobile printing. Usually, modern printers have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth features. How to check:  

• Look Wi-Fi or Bluetooth symbol on the printer 

• Open your printer manual. 

• Download your printer’s mobile app (like Canon print or HP smart). 

• However, if your printer is an older model, you need a USB OTG cable to connect your phone directly to the printer. 

Connect phone to printer via Wi-Fi  

For android: 

• Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi to whom your printer is connected. 

• Then, open the document or photo you want to print. 

• Finally, tap the print option. 

• Select your printer from the list and tap print. 

For iPhone: 

• Connect iPhone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network. 

• Open the document or photo. 

• Tap the share icon. 

• Choose your printer and press print. 

Tip: Restart your printer if it doesn’t appear or check your network connection. 

Connect using Bluetooth 

Alternatively, Bluetooth is another way to connect, if Wi-Fi is not available 

• Turn on Bluetooth on both your phone and printer. 

• Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings and select your printer. 

• After pairing the devices, open your file and tap the print option. 

• Choose your Bluetooth printer and hit print. 

Connect using a USB cable (OTG method) 

For android users: 

Insert USB OTG adapter into your phone. Connect your printer’s USB cable to the adapter. Your phone will automatically detect the printer. Open the file, tap print, and select your printer. 

For iPhone users: 

The iPhone does not have USB printing, so Wi-Fi or Air Print is the best option. 

Use printer-specific mobile apps 

Many printer brands offer free apps to make printing quick and convenient.  

• HP Smart- for HP printers 

• Canon Print Inkjet/SELPHY- for Canon Printers 

• Epson iPrint- For Canon printers 

• Brother iPrint&Scan- For Brother printers 

These apps scan print and check ink levels directly from your phone. 

Print from cloud storage or third-party apps 

You can print from: 

• Google drive 

• Dropbox  

• Microsoft OneDrive 

• Pdf viewers apps (like adobe acrobat) 

Many of these services “Print” options that work with your printer app. 

Troubleshooting Tips 

If your phone is not connected to your printer:  

• Make sure both devices are connected to the same network 

• Restart your phone, printer, and router 

• Update your printer’s firmware 

• Reinstall the printer app 

Usually, these steps fix most connection problems. 

Best free printing apps for Android and iPhone 

Here are a few reliable apps to try: 

• PrintShare Mobile Print 

• Mopria Print service (Android) 

• PrintHand Mobile Print 

• HP Smart App  

• Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY 

All these apps support different types of printing brands and make mobile printing easy to use for users. 

Conclusion 

Now that you have learned how to connect your phone to a printer, you can enjoy effortless printing whenever you need it. These simple methods will make printing from your phone quick and reliable whether you are using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a USB connection. It saves time and keeps your workflow going smoothly. Just follow the steps shared in this guide, and you will be able to print anything, anytime, and anywhere- right from your phone. 

FAQs