To print photos on Android, open the image, tap Share or Print, pick a printer, set paper and size, then tap Print.
Printing straight from an Android device can be quick and clean once you know which path fits your setup. This guide walks through the fastest routes for wireless and USB printing, how to order lab prints from your phone, and the settings that keep color, borders, and size on point. You’ll also find a tight troubleshooting section and two quick-reference tables to speed up the process.
Print Pictures From Android — Fast Methods
Most gallery and camera apps on Android surface a Print option inside the Share sheet. The option routes your photo into the system print dialog, where you choose a nearby printer, pick paper, set copies, and go. If you don’t see Print in your gallery, open the image in Google Photos or another app that supports system printing, then try again.
Use The Built-In Print Framework
Android includes a system print framework that works with many modern printers over Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct. Head to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing to turn on services and add more if needed. Google’s help page shows the exact path and the Print option you’ll see in supported apps (Print from your device).
Add A Print Service Plug-In When Required
Some brands need a small plug-in from the Play Store. After installing a plug-in, return to Settings > Printing to enable it. Many printers also support the Mopria standard, which lets Android find and use certified printers without a brand-specific driver. Mopria’s site explains where to find the Print button and how the flow works inside Android apps (Print from Android).
Order Professional Prints From Your Phone
If you want glossy lab prints without using a home printer, open Google Photos, select images, and choose the print ordering option. You can pick sizes, pay, and ship. This is handy when you need batches or large formats and don’t want to manage paper and ink at home.
Common Ways To Send A Photo To Paper
Pick the route that matches your gear and time.
| Method | When It Fits | What You Need |
|---|---|---|
| System Print (Share > Print) | Fast, same-Wi-Fi printer nearby | Printer on the network; Default/Mopria or brand plug-in enabled |
| Brand Plug-In (HP/Epson/Canon) | Brand-specific features or older models | Install plug-in; enable under Settings > Printing |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No router; direct phone-to-printer link | Printer with Wi-Fi Direct; connect to printer’s SSID |
| USB OTG | Stable, wired connection in tight Wi-Fi spots | OTG adapter and USB cable; supported printer |
| Photo Lab Ordering | Glossy, archival, many sizes | Google Photos or lab app; payment details |
| Bluetooth | Portable mini photo printers | Printer’s companion app; pair via Bluetooth |
Step-By-Step: Wireless Printing From The Gallery
1) Connect Phone And Printer
Put the phone and printer on the same Wi-Fi network, or use Wi-Fi Direct if your printer offers its own hotspot. If your brand recommends a plug-in, install it first, then enable it under Settings > Printing so it appears in the print dialog.
2) Open The Photo And Tap Print
Open your gallery or Google Photos, choose the image, tap Share, and pick Print. If Print is missing in one app, try another viewer. Many apps like Chrome, Gmail, Drive, and popular editors support printing through the system dialog.
3) Choose The Printer
Wait a second as printers populate. Pick your model. If the list is empty, tap Select printer, add service, or refresh. On some models you can tap the three-dot menu to add a printer by IP address.
4) Set Paper, Size, And Fit
For borderless 4×6, select the matching paper size and a fitting mode that fills the sheet without cropping faces. For 8.5×11 or A4, pick full page with fit to page if your shot doesn’t match the aspect ratio. Use matte or glossy based on your paper stock.
5) Pick Color, Quality, And Copies
Leave quality on High for photo paper. For contact sheets or drafts, Standard saves ink. If your printer supports photo black, the plug-in may switch automatically when photo paper is chosen.
6) Print And Review
Tap the printer icon. If the first sheet looks off, adjust fit, margins, or paper type and send again. Small tweaks here prevent streaks, washed tones, and clipped edges.
Dial In The Look: Size, Ratio, And DPI
Match Aspect Ratio To Paper
Most phone shots are 4:3 or 3:2. Popular papers like 4×6 and 8×12 match 3:2 well; 8×10 needs a slight crop. Use the crop tool before printing so the subject stays centered. When you need the full frame on letter or A4, pick fit to page with small borders instead of filling edge to edge.
Use The Right Paper Type
Glossy boosts contrast and punch for bright scenes. Luster gives a clean photo feel with fewer fingerprints. Matte tames glare for frames behind glass. Set the paper type in the dialog so the printer lays down ink correctly for that coating.
Resolution And Quality
Stick with High quality for anything you’ll share or frame. A modern phone photo easily resolves small prints like 4×6 and 5×7. For large sizes, start from the original file, not a compressed copy from messaging apps.
Add-On Apps And Plug-Ins
If the system print dialog doesn’t show your device, a plug-in usually fills the gap. Install the brand’s print service from the Play Store and enable it under Settings > Printing. Many printers also work through a universal path backed by Mopria tech, which is already part of Android’s Default Print Service and helps discover printers on the same network.
When A Brand App Helps
Brand apps can unlock borderless presets, paper type matching, and maintenance tools. You might also see easy firmware updates and cleaning cycles. If you print often, those extras save time.
Order Prints Instead Of Using A Home Printer
For large batches or premium paper, ordering can be easier than managing ink and photo stock. In Google Photos, select images, tap the print ordering option, pick sizes, and check out. Local retailers and mail-order labs offer gallery-grade papers and mounting if you want a display finish without extra steps at home.
Workflow Tips That Prevent Do-Overs
Crop Before You Print
Crop to the paper’s ratio in your photo editor, then print. This prevents automatic cropping that can cut off faces or text. Save a copy if you want to keep the original frame.
Brighten For Paper
Screens emit light; paper reflects it. Nudge exposure or shadow detail a touch, and watch skin tones. A small tweak brings back life that can look muted on paper.
Use The Right Tray
Many printers have a photo tray for 4×6 or 5×7 sheets. Pick the tray in the dialog so the device pulls the correct paper path. Mixed trays often default to plain paper unless set otherwise.
Troubleshooting Photo Prints
If the print button is missing or the page looks wrong, walk through the quick fixes in this table, then dive deeper below.
| Issue | Fix | Where To Check |
|---|---|---|
| No printer found | Enable a print service; join same Wi-Fi; try Wi-Fi Direct | Settings > Printing; printer panel |
| Print option missing | Open in Google Photos or a different viewer that supports Print | Share sheet in app |
| Wrong size or borders | Pick correct paper; set fit vs fill; crop to ratio | Print dialog; editor crop tool |
| Colors look dull | Select photo paper type; choose High quality; use original file | Print dialog; gallery file info |
| Streaks or banding | Run cleaning cycle; replace low cartridges | Brand app; printer panel |
| App can’t connect | Toggle Wi-Fi, reboot printer, reinstall plug-in | Quick settings; Play Store |
Fix The “No Printer” Problem
First, make sure Wi-Fi is on and the phone and printer share the same network name. Open Settings > Printing to confirm a service is enabled. If your brand’s plug-in is installed but still not showing, turn it off and on once. Many models also broadcast a Wi-Fi Direct network; connect the phone to that printer SSID and try again.
Get The Print Button Back
If the Share sheet shows no Print, move the image to an app that supports printing. Google Photos, Chrome, Drive, and many editors do. Some social apps hide printing; save the file to storage first, then reopen it in a gallery.
Stop Cropping Heads Off
Pick a paper size that matches your crop. If you want edge-to-edge on 4×6 with a 4:3 image, trim a sliver off the long edge first. If you prefer the full frame, use fit to page and accept slim borders.
Improve Color And Sharpness
Set paper type to Photo or Glossy so the driver uses the right ink pattern. Keep quality on High. Send the original file at full resolution. Avoid prints from compressed versions saved by chat apps.
Speed Up A Long Queue
Large photos can take time to render. Stay on Wi-Fi, keep the screen awake, and avoid switching networks mid-job. If the queue stalls, cancel the item in the print notification, then resend with a smaller batch.
USB And Portable Printer Paths
USB OTG For A Solid Link
A short USB cable with an OTG adapter can give you a rock-steady connection in busy offices or event spaces. Not every model supports USB from Android, so check your brand app or manual before buying cables.
Mini Photo Printers
Pocket printers connect with Bluetooth and use companion apps. They’re great for 2×3 peel-and-stick photos. Install the app, pair once, then send images from the app’s gallery for the best results.
Safety And Privacy Basics
Use trusted plug-ins from the Play Store. Avoid third-party APK sites for printer drivers. When ordering lab prints, send over private networks when possible, and clear temporary uploads inside the app after your order ships. If you’re printing at a shared location, delete cached photos in the brand app once you finish.
When To Pick A Lab Over DIY
Choose a lab when you want large formats, special papers, or color-corrected sets for gifts. Home printers shine for fast 4×6 cards and one-off keepsakes. For anything bigger than 8×10, mailed prints save ink costs and stay consistent across a stack.
Quick Checklist Before You Tap Print
- Same network or Wi-Fi Direct link confirmed
- Right printer selected in the dialog
- Paper size matches your crop
- Paper type set to Photo/Glossy/Luster as needed
- Quality set to High for keepers
- Original file selected, not a compressed copy
Why These Steps Work
Android’s print framework hands the photo to a print service that knows your model’s capabilities. That’s why enabling a built-in or brand service unlocks correct paper handling, color, and borderless modes. Google’s help page documents the settings path and how the Print option appears in supported apps, while Mopria outlines discovery of certified printers and the basic flow across gallery, email, and browser apps. Those two links cover the standards your phone already uses behind the scenes and help explain why the steps above map to smooth, repeatable results.