Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone offers opportunities not only for communication and entertainment, but also for effective work with documents anywhere. Often there is a situation when you need to print a photo, a plane ticket or a contract, and you do not have a computer at hand. Fortunately, the Android operating system in conjunction with the shell of MIUI provides powerful tools for organizing wireless or wired printing.
The setup process can seem complicated because of the variety of printer models and firmware versions, but if you break it down into sequential steps, even an inexperienced user can handle it. In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from standard system functions to specialized applications from manufacturers.
Before you go to software settings, you need to make sure that the hardware is physically ready. Make sure your printer is on, filled with cartridges, and is in a confident signal reception zone if you plan to use a wireless connection. It is critical that the smartphone and printer are on the same local Wi-Fi network for successful device detection.
Preparation of equipment and network
The first step to successful integration is to properly configure the network infrastructure. Most modern models support Wi-Fi Direct or router connectivity. If your printer has a screen, find the network settings section in the menu and select your home network by entering a password. For devices without a display, you often need to press the Wi-Fi button on the case and hold it until the indicator flashes.
Xiaomi's smartphone must be connected to the same network. Make sure the phone doesn't have Mobile Data on at the time of setting up, as this can create a routing conflict. VPN-Services that can block local device search on the network.
Owners of older models may face a lack of built-in Wi-Fi module, in which case the only option is to use the device. USB-cable and special adapter OTG. Make sure the cable is serviceable and capable of transmitting data, not just charging the battery.
⚠️ Note: When using public Wi-Fi networks (cafes, airports), printing may not be possible due to router security settings that prohibit data exchange between customers.
Connection stability directly affects the speed of transferring large files. If you plan to print photos in high resolution, make sure that the Wi-Fi signal is strong and not interrupted.
Configuring through the system print plugin
Android is based on a standard service that automatically scans the network for available printers. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is built-in by default and does not require installing additional heavy software for basic tasks. To activate it, go to the settings menu and find the Connect and Sharing section, or simply search the settings by entering the word Print.
In the menu that opens, you will see a list of available plugins. For HP, Canon or Epson devices, the system can offer to download the corresponding plugin from the Google Play Store. This will take just a couple of minutes and ensure full driver compatibility. After installing the plugin, return to the print menu and activate the switch.
The process of finding a device is in the background. If the printer is set up correctly on the network, it will appear in the list of available devices. Click on it to establish a connection. Now, when you try to print any document in the printer selection menu, your model will be displayed.
☑️ Checking system settings
Sometimes the system doesn't see the device right away, so try restarting the print service or the smartphone itself, and make sure that the printer doesn't have any errors, such as "no paper" or "jamming," that can put the device into sleep mode without responding to network requests.
Use of branded applications of manufacturers
While system tools are convenient, they often provide basic functionality. For advanced features such as color-corrected photo printing, document scanning, or ink level checking, it is better to use specialized software. Major manufacturers produce their own apps optimized for Android.
HP Smart will be an indispensable tool for HP owners, allowing not only print but also customize the printer when you turn on, scan documents directly into PDFs and order cartridges. Canon users should look to Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY, which supports printing from cloud storage and social networks. Epson has an Epson iPrint application that provides high detail when printing images.
Installing such applications often makes it easier to set up the initial Wi-Fi settings. The application finds the printer in pairing mode and passes the router passwords to it, saving the user from inconvenient character input through buttons on the device body, which is especially true for models without a touch screen.
| Printer brand | Title of the annex | Key function | Android support |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP | HP Smart | Scanner and cloud | Android 8.0+ |
| Canon | Canon PRINT | Printing photos and documents | Android 5.0+ |
| Epson | Epson iPrint | Color setting | Android 6.0+ |
| Brother | Brother iPrint&Scan | Scanning in PDF | Android 7.0+ |
| Pantum | Pantum Mobile Printing | Basic seal | Android 4.4+ |
When installing, carefully read what data the program accesses. Usually, you only need access to the file storage and local network to print.
What to do if the application does not see the printer?
Printing through USB-cable OTG
If the wireless connection is unstable or the printer doesn't have a Wi-Fi module, a cable connection comes to the rescue. USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter that connects to the phone charging connector, and the regular USB-Most modern Xiaomi models support this feature out of the box".
Once the devices are physically connected, the phone has to make the characteristic peripheral connection sound. However, unlike a computer, drivers don't always automatically install. You'll need a proxy app that takes on the role of a driver. One of the most versatile solutions is the NokoPrint or PrintHand application.
The application must select the type of connection"USB". The program will request permission to access USB-And then you start looking for a printer, and if you support a model, you'll see it on the list, and it's a method that provides the most stable data rate, which is critical for printing large documents or high-quality photos.
⚠️ Some older Xiaomi smartphones may not give enough voltage to the USB-The printer can be detected but not captured by the paper, so the solution is to connect the printer to an external power source.
The advantage of wired technology is also data security, and when you transmit sensitive documents over a cable, you don't have to risk intercepting information over a Wi-Fi network.
Cloud Printing and Google Services
Modern technology allows you to send documents to print from thousands of miles away from the printer. Google Cloud Print technology was abolished, but its functions have been successfully adopted by manufacturers through their own cloud services, for example, HP ePrint or Epson Connect allows you to send documents to a special email address of the printer.
To configure this method, you need to register the device in the manufacturer's cloud service through a computer, with a unique email address, and then you send an email with an attachment to this address from your smartphone, you get a printed document, and this method does not require that the phone and printer be on the same network or even in the same city.
Also worth mentioning are services like PrintNode or Google Drive integration. Many modern printers have built-in cloud storage support, so you can upload a file to the cloud and then download and print it through the printer's menu (if it has a screen and Wi-Fi).
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Use Save as PDF in any application if the file format is not readable by the printer. This is a universal way of compatibility.
Cloud printing is ideal for office tasks, where you need to print a document sent by a colleague without transferring files through messengers to your phone, but you should consider traffic consumption and possible delay in the queue of printing.
Solving and eliminating errors
Even when set up correctly, there can be failures. One of the most common problems is the status of "In line" when a document is not sent to print, often solved by clearing the print service cache in the Android settings or restarting both devices. Also check if the printer is limited to printing only with certain types of printers. IP-address.
If the print is distorted or "porridged," the problem may be in the driver or file format. Try changing the print quality settings in the application or converting the document to another format. For photos, it often helps to lower the resolution or change the type of paper in the driver settings.
In case the phone doesn't see the printer at all on the Wi-Fi network, check the router frequency. Many older printers only work in the 2.4 GHz band and don't see the 5 GHz network. Make sure your phone is connected to a dual-band or 2.4 GHz network.
⚠️ Note: When updating the firmware MIUI Network permission settings may reset. After a major system update, always double-check the applications' access to the LAN.
If nothing helps, try temporarily disabling antivirus software or firewalls on your router, which can block ports used by print protocols.
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90% of connection problems are solved by restarting the router and checking that both devices are on the same subnet (the same is true). IP-lock-house).