How to connect a Xiaomi photo printer to your phone: 3 ways + fixing

Xiaomi photo printers are compact devices that allow you to print pictures from a smartphone in seconds, but before using them, you need to connect the printer to your phone correctly, otherwise you risk synchronization errors or poor print quality. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct and the Mi Home app, and also tell you how to avoid typical problems.

It is important to consider that the process may differ depending on the printer model (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer or Xiaomi PrintJoy) and the firmware version of the smartphone. MIUI 14, but they should work on other platforms, too. If your printer isn't identified, check compatibility in the table below.

1. Compatibility of Xiaomi photo printers with phones

Not all Xiaomi printers support connectivity to all smartphones, for example, older models (released before 2021) may not work with iOS phones or require additional drivers.

If your model is not in the table, check the official Xiaomi website or documentation in the box. For example, PrintJoy printers often require a separate application, not Mi Home. Also note the Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 4.2 or later is required for stable operation.

⚠️ Xiaomi printers are not compatible with phones that have Bluetooth Low Energy disabled (BLE). To check for support, go to Settings → The phone. → Specifications and find a string with the Bluetooth version.

2 Preparation of the printer and phone for connection

Before pairing devices, follow several mandatory steps:

• 🔋 Charge the printer to at least 50% (the charging indicator should be green).
• 📱 Update your phone to the latest version (check in Settings) → Updating the system).
• 📲 Install the official app: Mi Portable and CyberDog models - Mi Home. PrintJoy - PrintJoy.
• 📡 Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on your phone (even if you connect via cable).

If the printer is new, remove the protective film from the print head and install the photo paper cartridge. 1S You load the paper into the tray on top, and in the Mi Portable, you load it through the side compartment. Don't touch the printer's heat head with your hands, it can damage the printing mechanism.

3. Method 1: Connect via Bluetooth

The most versatile method, which works on all Xiaomi printer models, is suitable for Android and iOS (if the model supports iOS):

1. Turn on the printer with a long press on the power button (the indicator should flash blue).
2. On your phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn on device search.
3. In the list, find the name of your printer (for example, MI_PP_XXXX or PrintJoy_XXXX). Press it.
4. Confirm pairing on both devices. Some printer models require you to press a button on the case to confirm.
5. Run the Mi Home or PrintJoy app and select the printer from the device list.

If the printer is not displayed in the Bluetooth device list:

• 🔄 Reboot both devices.
• 📱 Remove the printer from the list of associated devices and repeat the search.
• 🔋 Check the printer’s charge – at a low level it may not broadcast the signal.

4. Method 2: Connect via Wi-Fi Direct

This method allows you to print without the Internet, creating a direct network between the phone and the printer. 1S newer:

1. Turn on the printer and hold the Wi-Fi (or Mode) button for 3 seconds until the indicator flashes green.
2. On the phone, open Settings. → Wi-Fi and find a network with a printer name (e.g., a printer name, PrintJoy_XXXX_Direct).
3. Connect to this network. The password is usually listed on the printer sticker or in the instructions (by default, 12345678 or 87654321).
4. Launch the PrintJoy app and select a photo to print.

The advantage of this method is that it has a faster data rate than Bluetooth, but after printing, remember to disconnect from the printer network and return to normal Wi-Fi, otherwise the phone will be left without Internet access.

⚠️ Note: Some printer models (e.g., the first-generation Mi Portable Photo Printer) do not support Wi-Fi Direct. USB-cable.

5. Method 3: Connect via the Mi Home app

For printers that are compatible with the Xiaomi ecosystem (such as Mi Smart Photo Printer 2), Mi Home is the most convenient method, which also allows you to control the printer remotely if it is connected to your Mi Account:

1. Install and open the Mi Home app.
2. Press. + → Add the device and select the Printers category.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The app will suggest turning on Bluetooth and geolocation to find the device.
4. When the printer appears in the list, click on it and confirm the connection.
5. Once paired successfully, the printer will appear in the Mi Home main menu, and you can now print photos directly from the gallery or through the Device tab.

If the printer is not added to the Mi Home:

• 🌍 Check the region in the Mi Account profile (should match the region of your printer purchase).
• 🔄 Update the Mi Home app to the latest version.
• 📡 Make sure your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network (for cloud-enabled models).

💡

If the printer is connected to Mi Home, you can print photos directly from Xiaomi Cloud storage without downloading to your phone.

6.Printing photos: step-by-step instructions

Once you've connected successfully, you can start printing, and the process is slightly different depending on the application:

Through Mi Home:

1. Open Mi Home and select your printer.
2. Click Print photos and select a picture from the gallery.
3. Edit photos (trimming, filters, text) with built-in tools.
4. Select the number of copies and press the Print.

Through PrintJoy:

1. Launch the PrintJoy app and click Select Photos.
2. Please select the appropriate pictures (you can choose several).
3. Set up the printing parameters: 🖼️ Format: 10×15 cm (standard) or 5×7.5 cm). 🎨 Quality: Standard or High (depending on the model). 🔢 Number: up to 9 copy-at-a-time.

Press the seal and wait for the completion.

The time to print a single image takes from 30 seconds (in Quick Print mode) to 1.5 minutes (in High Quality mode).

Typical problems and their solution

Even with the right connection, there can be errors, and the following are the most common faults and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try resetting the printer to the factory settings.

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press the Power and Wi-Fi (or Bluetooth) buttons for 15 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the indicator flashes red.

For USB connection:

1. Connect the printer and phone with a cable.
2. On your phone, select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. Open the printer app and select a photo to print.

Please note: when printing through USB phone can run out faster as printer consumes power from smartphone battery.Recommended to connect phone to charge.

FAQ: Frequent questions