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How to print directly from an Android phone?

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The Android platform has seen several developments in recent years. One of the new features available in Android is the ability to print documents wirelessly. The Google Cloud Print service is inbuilt in the Android OS, giving your phone the ability to print wirelessly.

What is Google Cloud Print Service?

A new technology that allows your printers to connect to the web, Google Cloud Print Service can make your office and home printers available for wireless printing to anyone. The good thing about Google cloud print service is it works with all printers that are connected to your network through WiFi or an Ethernet connection.

You need to add a printer to Google Cloud Print service to print wirelessly from your Android device. The alternate way is adding printing service from the respective print manufacturer. For example, if you have a Samsung printer, you need to install the Samsung Print service plugin. For a HP printer, you will need the HP Print Service plugin.

Here are the steps to add the printer to the Google cloud print service:

Steps to Add Printer on your Android Device

  • Go to Settings
  • Type Printing in search
  • Select Printing
  • Tap on 3 dot menu and select Add Printer
  • You should see the printer that is connected to the same network
  • Now the printer is available for wireless printing. you can use any app that allows you to print using Google cloud printing

Steps to print directly from Android Device

  • Open the document you want to print in the app
  • Look for Print option in the Menu or option like Share & Export or anything similar
  • Look for Print option in the app
  • Tap on Print option
  • Select the right printer from the menu
  • Tap Print or OK

You can also find several cloud printer applications on the Google Play store. Install any of these and print wirelessly from your Android device.

You can also add the printer to the Google cloud print service from Chrome. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Note: the steps given below are same for PC and Android. However, you need to sign in Chrome with the same Gmail account that is registered with the Google Play Store. Only then the printers you add will be synced and will be available through Google Cloud Print.

Steps to add printer from Chrome

  • Launch Chrome Browser on Android or PC
  • Click/Tap on 3 dot icon
  • go to Settings
  • Scroll down and tap/click Show Advanced Settings
  • Scroll down to Google cloud print
  • Tap/click Manage
  • if your printer is connected to the same network, you will see it in listed under New Devices
  • Select the printer
  • Click Add printer

Printers compatible with MacBook Air

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Many leading printing manufacturers offer several printer models that are compatible with Mac. When you look for compatible printers, you need to look at the OS version installed on your device. MacBook Air with OS Mountain Lion or X Lion can print to any AirPrint printer through WiFi. Click here for our post on AirPrint compatible printers and common issues.

What is AirPrint?

AirPrint is a technology developed by Apple Inc. to make printing effortless for iOS device users. The AirPrint mobile printing solution is included in Apple iOS v4.2 and later operating systems. iPod, iPhone, iPad and Mac users can print wirelessly to any AirPrint compatible printer connected to the same wireless network as their iOS device.

List of Printers compatible with MacBook Air

HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn

The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553dn is a high-end printer offering superb output quality, speed, and good features. It is ideal for medium to heavy-duty printing. The printer has inbuilt support for AirPrint that makes it ideal for use with the MacBook Air. This HP printer can print at a speed of 40 ppm which includes color as well as black and white printing. The print quality is above average and colors are bright and saturated.

Brother HL-L2300D

The Brother HL-L2300D is a compact monochrome laser printer that does not take much space.  It can be a good personal printer for any home or small office. Despite the small size, the printer has a fast output and can print around 27 ppm. The printer features a duplexer that allows you to take two-sided prints. The print quality is just below par but the graphics and text printing is good compared to other monochrome printers in its price range.

Canon imageClass MF227dw

The Canon imageClass MF227dw is a multi-function printer that can be an ideal choice to handle light to medium workloads in small offices. It has a small touch screen panel and has all features catering to micro office needs. It can print up to 16 ppm in duplex mode and 28 ppm in simplex mode. Besides printing and scanning, this canon printer also serves as a copier and a fax machine. The WiFi capability is built-in and you can print or scan from Android and iOS devices using the WiFi capability. The print quality is above average and enough for office requirements. In fact, it is good enough for high-quality desktop publishing work.

Printers with AirPrint support – some common issues

Why printer goes offline when connected to iOS devices?

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One of the more common issues faced by Apple users is a printer going offline after the connection with the iOS device is established.

The error messages displayed is ‘Printer Not Responding’ or ‘Printer Offline’. If you have a HP printer or another printer such as Canon or Epson printer, and are getting either of the above error messages, follow the troubleshooting steps set out below:

USB to printer Connection problems

The error message “Printer Offline” indicates that the Mac/iOS device is not able to communicate with the printer. There can be several reasons for this error such as Printer is powered down or the USB cable is not properly seated in the USB slot.  Here are the troubleshooting steps you need to follow to resolve this error:

  1. Power down the printer and remove the USB cable from the rear of the printer
  2. Wait for few minutes
  3. Press the Power button to switch on the Printer
  4. Wait for few seconds
  5. Connect USB cable to the rear of the printer
  6. Ensure the USB cable is secured in the connection slot
  7. If the printer starts printing, let it continue
Solve Printer Offline Error in Windows 10, 8, & 7

If the above troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the printer issue, you need to reset the Printer by following steps set out below:

Reset the Printer

  1. With the Printer turned on, remove the power cable from the rear of the printer
  2. Unplug the power cord from the wall socket
  3. Wait for 1-2 minutes
  4. Plug the power cord in the wall socket
  5. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer
  6. If the printer does not turn on, press the Power button to switch it on.
  7. Try printing some document from the iOS device
  8. If the printer prints, the problems are resolved. Otherwise, follow the troubleshooting steps set out below:

Remove additional printers from the printer list

There is a possibility that your iOS device has several printers associated with it. You need to remove all printers in this printer list except the one in idle status. Here are steps you need to follow:

  1. Search the iOS device/Mac for Print
  2. Click Print & Scan, Printers & Scanners, or Print & Fax, in the list of results
  3. Find the printer name in the list that matches with your printer
  4. If you see multiple queues for the same printer, remove all extra printers one at a time
  5. To remove a printer, select the printer and click minus button to remove the printer
  6. Leave printer that shows idle status
  7. In most cases, the problem will be resolved. If the problem exists, remove the remaining printers from the list by following steps 5-6

Now you need to add a printer

Printer Drivers Download & Updates

Add a Printer

  1. Search the iOS device/Mac for Print
  2. Click Print & Scan, Printers & Scanners, or Print & Fax, in the list of results
  3. Click Add button
  4. Select your Printer model from the Printer list
  5. Select “AirPrint” in Use field with the printer name selected
  6. Click Add to add your printer

If your issue is not covered here, feel free to post a comment below detailing you issue – our community of experts may be able to help fix your issue.

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