The simplest way: use your phone's built-in print feature

Most phones have a print option built directly into the document viewer or app you are using. Open the document you want to print — whether it is a PDF, email attachment, or photo — then look for a menu icon (usually three dots or lines in the corner). Tap it and select "Print" or "Share". Your phone will then search for printers on the same WiFi network as your phone.

Once your phone finds a printer, select it from the list and choose how many copies you want. Then tap "Print". The document goes directly to that printer without needing any extra apps or accounts. This works with most home printers, office printers, and library printers that are connected to WiFi.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's built-in print feature works with any WiFi printer on the same network — no extra apps needed.
  • If your printer is not WiFi-enabled, you can use cloud printing services like Google Cloud Print or your printer manufacturer's app to print remotely.
  • Some printers require their own app to connect, so check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website if the built-in feature does not find it.
  • Public printing at libraries, FedEx stores, and UPS locations works through their own apps or websites, not through your phone's print feature.

Printing to a WiFi printer from your phone

For this to work, your printer must be connected to WiFi and turned on. Check your printer's screen or manual to confirm it is connected to the same WiFi network your phone uses. If you are not sure, restart both your phone and printer, then try again.

On iPhone, open the document and swipe up from the bottom to bring up the Control Center. Tap "AirPrint" and select your printer. On Android, open the document, tap the three-dot menu, select "Print", and choose your printer from the list. Both systems will show you a preview of what will print before you confirm.

Printing when your printer is not WiFi-enabled

Older printers and some budget models do not connect to WiFi. If your printer only has a USB cable or Bluetooth, you have two options: use your printer's manufacturer app, or use a cloud printing service.

Check your printer's brand website (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox) and read their official app. These apps often let you print over Bluetooth or through a USB connection if your phone supports it. Some also let you print remotely if you set up an account with the manufacturer — this means you can send a document to print even when you are not home, as long as the printer is on and connected to the internet.

Using Google Cloud Print and similar services

Google Cloud Print was a free service that let you print from your phone to any printer registered to your Google account, even from far away. Google shut it down in 2021, but many printer manufacturers built their own versions. HP has HP Smart, Canon has Canon PRINT, and Brother has Brother iPrint&Scan.

These apps work the same way: you create an account, register your printer once, and then you can print to it from anywhere. The printer must be turned on and connected to the internet, but you do not have to be on the same WiFi network. read the app for your printer brand, sign in, and follow the setup steps to register your printer.

Printing at public locations

Libraries, FedEx Office, UPS stores, and some pharmacies offer printing services. Each location has its own process. Most let you upload a document through their website or app, then pick it up at the store or print it at a kiosk.

FedEx Office has an app where you upload your document, choose a location, and pay online. UPS has a similar service. Your local library usually has a website where you can upload files and print them at the library's public computers or kiosks. Call ahead to confirm the location has the service and what file types they accept.

Troubleshooting when your phone will not find the printer

If your phone does not see your printer, first check that both devices are on the same WiFi network. Your phone might be connected to a guest network while your printer is on the main network, or vice versa. Log into your WiFi settings and confirm they match.

Restart your printer by turning it off for 30 seconds, then back on. Restart your phone the same way. If your printer has a screen, look for a WiFi or network status icon to confirm it is connected. If the printer still does not appear, check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website for the specific steps to connect it to WiFi — some older models require you to enter your WiFi password through the printer's buttons rather than through your phone.

Printing from email and messaging apps

You can print directly from Gmail, Outlook, text messages, or messaging apps without opening a separate document. In Gmail on your phone, open the email, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Print". On Outlook, do the same. Your phone will show available printers and let you choose one.

For text messages or photos in your messaging app, open the message or photo, tap the share icon, and look for "Print" in the list. Not all messaging apps support printing, but the major ones (iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger) do. If you do not see a print option, take a screenshot of the message instead and print the screenshot as a photo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy anything to print from my phone?

No. If you already own a WiFi printer, you do not need to buy anything. If you do not own a printer, you can print at a library or FedEx Office instead. Some printer manufacturers offer free apps, but the apps themselves cost nothing.

Can I print in color from my phone?

Yes, if your printer prints in color. Your phone will send the document in color to the printer, and the printer will print it in color if it is capable. Check your printer's specifications to see if it supports color printing. The print preview on your phone will show you what the output will look like.

What if my printer is at home but I am somewhere else?

You can print remotely if your printer has a manufacturer app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Brother iPrint&Scan) and you have set up an account. The printer must be turned on and connected to the internet. Without a manufacturer app, you would need to print at a public location instead.

Can I print from my phone to a printer at work or school?

Only if that printer is on a network your phone can access. If it is on a guest WiFi network, you may be able to print using the built-in print feature. If it is on a find work network, you may need to ask your IT department for access or use the printer's own app if one exists.

What file types can I print from my phone?

Most phones can print PDFs, photos, documents from Word or Google Docs, and emails. Some printers also accept images, spreadsheets, and presentations. If you have a file type your phone does not recognize, convert it to a PDF first using a free online converter, then print the PDF.