Android phones and tablets are just like computers. They’re not as powerful, but they’re extremely portable. As portable computers, they can be used to send emails, browse the Web, watch YouTube videos, and all sorts of stuff that you can also do on your desktop or laptop. Yes — including printing.
Some printers let you print from your Android phone or tablet over a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB connection. However, if your printer doesn’t have such capabilities, you can register your printer to Google Cloud Print, a technology and service that lets you connect your printer to the Web, making your printers accessible wherever you are. You can even make your printers accessible to your friends or print documents from your mobile devices.
Setting Up Google Cloud Print on Your Android Device
To make this happen, the first thing you’ll need is an Android running 2.1 or later or an iOS running 3.0 or later. You’ll also have to install Google Chrome and create a Google account. If you haven’t done either yet and are reticent to take these final steps, remember that these days you need a Google account to have a YouTube account. If that’s not enough to convince you, what is?
The next things you’ll need are a dedicated desktop computer and a printer that’s connected to that desktop by either cable or via wireless router. In order for remote printing to work, you will have to keep both fired up at all times — but if that’s not possible, you can always take the PDF route and do a mass print job the next time you log in to your desktop.
The Following steps are given below:
- On your computer, open Google Chrome. Make sure you're logged in to the same Chrome account on both your device and your computer.
- From the top right menu, select "Settings."
- Select "Show Advanced Settings."
- Scroll down until you see the Google Cloud Print heading. Underneath, click the button that says 'Sign in to Google Cloud Print."
- Sign in with your Google account. Remember to use the same account that you have on your Android device.
- Select which printers you'd like to be able to print to from your device.
- You're all set! From now on, when you use your Google account on any device, you'll be able to access that printer.
Printing Web pages is also possible through Cloud Print. Just open your Android browser’s Menu, tap Share, and select Cloud Print. From here, you can then print the Web page to any of your printers registered on Cloud Print. Or, if your phone or tablet’s Internet browser supports printing functionality, you can directly send the Web page to your printer over a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB connection. As for printing Gmail messages, Google’s Gmail app for Android doesn’t have an option that allows you to print your mails. But, if you access your Gmail account through a Web browser app, you can print your mails. Just open a Gmail message in your browser, tap the arrow to reveal additional buttons, and select Print. You will then be taken to Google Cloud Print to print your mail.
Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps can accomplish the same function as printer-specific apps, especially if both your printer and your device are Bluetooth-equipped. Among these apps are PrintBot, PrinterShare and PrinterOn. You'll have to make sure all your devices are compatible with these apps, but they are often a very useful option for users who need to find a way to print.
Conclusion
Mobile printing has become easier, thanks to Google Cloud Print and third-party printing apps on the Google Play Store. With these technologies and services, you can easily print your files or data from your Android phone or tablet. How often do you print from your Android phone or tablet? Do you use a different method or solution? If so, what solution do you use? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below