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Top 5 Reasons in Favor of Smartphone Printing
Michelle Wilson
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January 29, 2019
It’s official: mobile devices have taken over the world. In 2019, the number of people using mobile phones globally is expected to reach 4.68 billion [1]. As a society, we are continually looking for technological solutions to keep up with our fast-paced lifestyles.
One aspect of our modern world you might take for granted is printer technology, yet it’s an industry that’s hundreds of years old [2].
We’ve come a long way since the invention of the Gutenberg press. We’re in the age of 3D printing and advanced printing processes that can positively impact your day-to-day life.
Today, for example, you have the ability to print right from your phone, liberating users from the need to be physically connected to their printers. You’ll never have to press pause on your life to wrestle with old-fashioned printer cables ever again.
The ability to print from your phone allows users to untether themselves from the required proximity to a printer. Smartphone printing delivers fast, convenient results to match your lifestyle.
What makes printing from smartphones better or easier than conventional printers?
There are plenty of reasons why smartphone printing makes for a more efficient printing process. From convenience to speed to ease of access, smartphones are the key to making printing effortless.
1. Convenience
Smartphone printing means you can quickly print your documents, pictures, and reports wherever you are. With old printer technology, you’d have to print via a USB cable connected to your PC and smartphone, or email the document to the printer.
Now you can completely eliminate the need for messy cables and complicated methods.
2. Connectivity
Don’t have a network? That’s okay. Even if you don’t have a router or network to connect to, you can still print right from your mobile device to many models of HP printers using WiFi Direct, HP Wireless Direct, or NFC Touch to print.
3. Social media sharing
If you’re on Facebook, you’re in luck. You can use HP Printbot to print files and photos directly from Facebook. Did someone share an article or photo on Messenger? Simply send the file to HP Printbot which will send the file to your compatible HP printer’s email.
4. Speed
A few taps, a couple of buttons, and suddenly, you have a perfect print out - and never once did you need to turn on your PC to do it. Smartphone printing helps you make the most of every second and HP has the apps to help facilitate the process so it works as smoothly as possible.
5. Print unique documents
Have you ever wanted to print out text messages? If a dear friend passed away and you wanted to memorialize their last texts or if you need to provide evidence about an agreement or payment, being able to print out a text message conversation is an important ability to have.
For most users, the easiest way to print out a text message conversation is simply to screenshot the conversation and use a supported mobile printing app.
What are ways that users with HP printers can print from a smartphone or mobile device?
If you have a new model of HP printer, you can experience the ease and convenience of printing directly from your mobile device. In just a few simple steps, you can turn digital versions of your photo or file into hard copies in your hands.
It only takes a few minutes to get started. Below are HP printer models capable of printing from a mobile device. Don’t worry, our printers are built to be compatible with over 1 billion smartphones and tablets.
HP printers compatible with mobile printing:
- HP AMP printers
- HP business inkjet printers
- HP color inkjet printers
- HP DeskJet printers
- HP ENVY printers
- HP LaserJet printers
- HP OfficeJet printers
- HP Photosmart printers
- HP Tango smart printers
- HP Smart Tank wireless printers
How can I print using my smartphone?
Printing directly from your phone is easier than you think. HP offers a variety of mobile apps and services to facilitate the printing process.
Whether you’re a casual user or a professional, HP mobile print services streamline your print jobs allowing you to focus your attention on more important tasks.
HP Smart app
HP Smart is a full-service virtual print station that allows you to print, share, and scan documents and photos. You can also monitor ink levels and order printer supplies directly from the app when you’re running low. Never be unprepared for a print job again.
Having printer issues? Get support and troubleshoot with HP experts directly on the app.
For printers that support the service, you can use the HP Smart app to connect printers to an available wireless network. You can also print to any network-connected HP printer that is on the same wireless network as your mobile device.
Get incredibly high-quality scans of documents and images from your printer or mobile device camera. After scanning, you can share the content through email, save to cloud-based storage, or store it on your smartphone.
The power of your printer now fits snuggly in the palm of your hand with the HP Smart app. The HP Smart app is compatible with Android OS 5.0 or later, or Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch with iOS 10 and later.
Print Anywhere
Print Anywhere allows you to see your printer status and send print jobs from the HP Smart app when you aren’t near your printer, using either mobile data or another wireless network.
This app is supported on select printers by HP Smart 6.0 on Android OS 5.0 and later or Apple iOS 10 and later devices.
HP ePrint
HP ePrint is a secure, cloud-based service that lets you print from anywhere that has an internet connection. You can simply email the document or photo you want to print directly to the printer. HP ePrint works with any mobile device with email-sharing and an internet connection.
To ePrint, enable web services on your printer and link your printer to HP Connected to get a unique email address for your printer.
Create a new email message with files or photos you want printed up to the file attachment size limit of 10MB. Enter your HP ePrint email address in the recipient box and send the email.
HP mobile printing for large-format printers
Even if you work with a large-format printer, you can still utilize innovative HP mobile printing technology. Print and scan to your HP DesignJet printer or multi-function printer directly from your smartphone or another mobile device with wireless printing or WiFi Direct.
Plus, you can print remotely by emailing files straight to HP ePrint-enabled printers.
How do I print with my mobile device?
Different devices require different apps to enable mobile printing. However, each device only takes a few minutes to set up and then you’re ready to get printing.
Apple device printing procedure
Print with AirPrint™:
1. Choose your image or page and tap the “Share” button.
2. Select ‘“Print” icon, then swipe the screen to find the print button on the bottom row.
3. Tap the “Print” icon.
4. Confirm the correct printer is chosen and press “Print” to send the print job.
Android device printing procedure
Print with HP Print Service plugin:
1. Go to the Google Play store and install the plugin, “HP Print Service plugin.”
2. Tap the “Print” button in the app menu to print PDFs and photos or share and export files to the HP Print Service plugin.
3. Choose printer and settings.
4. View and choose printers on the network.
5. Set paper size or press “Tap More Options” for more choices, then print.
Chrome device printing procedure
Print with HP Print for Chrome:
1. Install the HP Print for Chrome app.
2. Choose your files or photos.
3. From Chrome Browser or Google Cloud Print compatible app press <Ctrl> P to open up the print box and select “Change” to change the printer.
4. Select the printer and choose the printer setting.
5. Print your documents by tapping the “Print’” button.
Windows device printing procedure
Print with Mobile Windows 10 device:
1. No need to install software, apps, the drivers are already on the Windows device.
2. Choose your files or photos, tap menu to find “Print” option.
3. Choose your printer and print settings.
4. Print your documents or photos.
The future of printing is here
Although smartphone printing may never completely replace traditional printers, the option to print directly from your phone provides a new, convenient option that’s great for entrepreneurs, designers, parents, students, and all kinds of industry professionals.
HP printers range from all-in-one devices that can print, scan, fax and copy to single-purpose printers like lab-quality photo printers.
Whatever printer you need, HP® offers a range of apps and services to help elevate your HP device and take your virtual files and photos from the web to your hands.
[1] Statista; Number of mobile phone users worldwide 2015-2020
[2] LiveScience; Who invented the Printing Press
About the Author: Michelle Wilson is a contributing writer for HP® Tech Takes. Michelle is a content creation specialist writing for a variety of industries, including tech trends and media news.
