Thursday, March 28, 2024

How to print from your Android device

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As Android technology progresses, so does your ability to get everything done right from your Android phone or tablet. Google has designed a cloud printing app that works with your printer connected either to your wireless network or to your computer via USB. Here’s how to set up Google Cloud Print within Chrome on your computer and how to start printing directly from your Android device.

Products used in this guide

  • Google Store: Pixel 3 ($799)
  • Amazon: HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 ($200)

How to add your printer to Google Cloud Print

Launch Chrome on your computer.

Click on the menu button in the top right corner. It looks like three horizontal lines.

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Click Settings.

Click Show advanced settings.

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Scroll down and click Manage under the Google Cloud Print heading.

Click Add printers.

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Click the printers you want to be added to Google Cloud Print.

Click Add printer(s).

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How to add the Google Cloud Print app to your Android phone or tablet

Launch Play Store from your Home Screen or app drawer.
Tap the search field.

Type cloud print.

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Tap the Search button (it looks like a magnifying glass).
Tap Cloud Print by Google Inc.

Tap Install.

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As long as the Google account you have activated on your computer is the same Google account activated on your phone or tablet, you’ll be able to see your printer. If you don’t know how to add Google accounts to your Android device, check out our guide.

How to print a local file from your Android phone

Open the file you’d like to print. You can open files stored locally (found in Photos, Gmail, Docs, file manager apps, etc.) or files stored on cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. In this case, we chose a picture in Photos.
Tap the menu button in the top right of your screen. It looks like three stacked dots.
Tap Print.

Tap the drop-down arrow. It’s located near the top of your screen.

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Tap the printer you’d like to print from.

Tap the print button. It looks like a printer.

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How to print a file from the internet with your Android phone

Tap the menu button (looks like three stacked dots) when you’re viewing the webpage with the content you want to be printed. The menu button might look a bit different, depending on your browser.
Tap Print.

Tap the drop-down arrow. It is located near the top of your screen.

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Tap the printer you’d like to print from.

Tap the print button (it looks like a printer).

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Our top equipment picks

Most modern printers are compatible with Google Cloud Print. There are some exceptions, so to avoid frustration, Google has created a list of all printers compatible with Google Cloud Print. We like the HP OfficeJet Pro series, which handles scanning, copying, and two-sided printing, too. Of course, any phone will work, but what better way to use Google’s printing service than with its own phone?

The quintessential Android phone

Google Pixel 3

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$799 at Google Store

Take great photos, then print them wirelessly

There’s nothing quite as complementary to a good printer as a good photo, and the Pixel 3 takes some of the best photos of any phone. Of course, it’s also Google’s pet project, which means it’s first in line for any new versions of Android — in short, this is one of the best Android phones you can buy.

Cloud-connected printer

HP OfficeJet Pro 8710

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$200 at Amazon

Print from anywhere, no wires necessary

HP’s OfficeJet Pro series has a touchscreen for easy operation and handles scanning, copying, and even faxing (if you still know anyone that can receive a fax). Of course, its most important feature is printing, and it’s compatible with HP’s Instant Ink for quick reloads. With Google Cloud Print support, you can print from anywhere on your phone or tablet.

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