Help Guides
How do I connect my printer to my phone?
Printing from a phone or tablet is easier than it used to be. Here is what is involved and how we can get it working for you.
Printing from a phone usually works through Wi-Fi. The phone and printer need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, and most modern printers support this. iPhones use a built-in feature called AirPrint. Android phones use Google Print or a manufacturer app. Once set up, you can print directly from photos, emails, and documents on your phone.
If you would rather have someone come and get your printer working with your phone, give us a call. This is a common part of the printer setups we do.
What is involved
Make sure the printer is on your Wi-Fi
Before a phone can print wirelessly, the printer itself needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone. If the printer was only ever connected by USB cable to a computer, this step needs to be done first. Most printers have a display screen that guides you through the Wi-Fi setup.
AirPrint on iPhone
iPhones include a built-in printing feature called AirPrint. If your printer supports AirPrint, no app needs to be downloaded. You can print directly from the share menu in Photos, Mail, Safari, and most other apps. The phone finds compatible printers on the same Wi-Fi network automatically.
Printing from an Android phone
Android phones have a print option built into the share menu as well. For many printers, a manufacturer app gives extra options and better compatibility. HP printers work well with the HP Smart app, and Epson printers work well with the Epson iPrint app, as examples.
Would you rather we handle this?
We set up printers and get them working with phones across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa. One visit, flat-fee pricing.
Book a VisitChecking both devices are on the same network
A common reason printing from a phone does not work is that the phone is on a different Wi-Fi network from the printer. Some routers create two separate networks with similar names, such as a regular network and a guest network. Both devices need to be on the same one.
Restarting the printer
If the phone cannot find the printer even when everything seems correct, restarting the printer often resolves it. Turning it fully off, waiting a moment, and turning it back on refreshes its network connection and makes it visible to other devices again.
Updating the printer's firmware
Printers receive software updates from manufacturers that can improve wireless compatibility. If the printer's firmware is out of date, it may not work correctly with newer phones. Updating it through the manufacturer's app or the printer's own menu can resolve this.
We can take care of this for you
You do not have to work through any of this yourself. If you want to be able to print from your phone and it is not working, we can sort it out during a visit. We visit homes across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa and handle printer setups every week.
Get help today
We get printers working with phones and tablets across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa. One visit and you will be printing from your phone.
Get Help TodayFAQ
Common questions about printing from a phone
- Does my printer need to be wireless to print from a phone?
Yes, in most cases. To print wirelessly from a phone, the printer needs to be connected to your Wi-Fi network or support a direct wireless connection. Older printers that only connect by USB cable cannot print from a phone without additional hardware.
- Can I print photos directly from my phone?
Yes. Once your phone is connected to a compatible printer, you can print photos directly from your phone's photo gallery. The quality depends on your printer model.
- My printer connects to my computer but not my phone. Why?
The computer and the phone may be using different methods to connect to the printer. The phone typically needs the printer to be set up for wireless printing specifically. We can check this and get it working during a visit.