How to connect Xiaomi phone to the printer: all the ways with photos and videos

Printing documents directly from Xiaomi’s phone is convenient, fast, and doesn’t require a computer. But many users face problems: the printer can’t find the network, the phone can’t see the device, and apps give out bugs. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways of connecting, from standard Wi-Fi Direct to cloud services like Google Cloud Print (despite its closure, alternatives work!).

Important: instructions checked on the Redmi Note 12 Pro smartphones+, POCO X5 Pro, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Canon printers, HP, Brother, Xerox. If your model isn't on the list, don't worry, 90% of the steps are universal for all Android 10-14 devices. MIUI 12-15: The key is to set up the network and drivers correctly.

We will immediately warn you: connection through USB-cable (OTG) It only works with printers that support MTP/PTP-protocol, check it in the instructions for your device. 2018 You will probably need Wi-Fi or cloud service.

1. Wi-Fi connection (the most reliable way)

This method works with most modern printers (HP Envy, Canon PIXMA, Brother DCP If they are connected to the same network as your Xiaomi, the main advantage is that you do not need cables, and the speed of printing is not inferior to the computer.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Make sure the phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (network name should match!). → Wi-Fi.
• 🖨️ On the printer, activate the Wi-Fi Direct function or WLAN (Usually a button on the panel or in the network menu → Wireless communication).
• 🔍 On your phone, open the Google Play Store app and install official software from the printer manufacturer (for example, HP Smart, Canon PRINT or Brother iPrint & Scan).
• 📄 Launch the app, select your printer from the list and follow the on-screen instructions.

If the printer is not displayed:

1. Reboot both devices.
2. Check if the firewall is blocking. MIUI Connection (in Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Autostart Enable Autostart for Printer Application).
3. Update the printer firmware via PC (the instructions are usually on the manufacturer’s website).

The printer is on and connected to a 2.4 GHz network (not 5 GHz!)

The phone is connected to the same network.

Official application of the printer manufacturer is installed

Wi-Fi Direct mode activated on the printer

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⚠️ Note: Xiaomi printers (for example, Mi Portable Photo Printer) are connected according to a separate instruction - they use Bluetooth 5.0 and the proprietary Mi Home application!

2. Connection through USB (OTG-cable)

This method is suitable for printers with USB-Type-C port (Square connector) or Type-C port:

• 🔌 OTG-Adapter (e.g. Xiaomi) USB-C to USB-A universal).
• 📱 Supported phone OTG (Check in the settings → The phone. → Specifications or through an annex USB OTG Checker).
• 🖨️ Printer with support MTP/PTP (usually stated in the instructions).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to the phone and the other end to the printer.
2. There will be a notification on the phone "USB-The device is connected – click on it.
3. Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP).
4. Open the file manager (MIUI File Manager or Google Files and find a document to print.
5. Press "More" → "Print and select a connected printer.

If the phone doesn't see the printer:

• 🔄 Try another one. OTG-cable (cheap adapters often don't work with printers).
• 🔧 Install the printer driver manually through the Play Store (e.g. PrinterShare).
• 📵 Check if the energy saving mode is blocked MIUI USB-Connection (in Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode disable restrictions).

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If the printer requires drivers for Android, download them from the manufacturer’s official website – universal applications like PrinterShare may not support all functions (for example, two-way printing).

3. Printing via Bluetooth (for portable printers)

This method is relevant for compact printers such as Xiaomi Mi Portable Photo Printer, Polaroid Lab or other printers. HP The main advantage is that you do not need a Wi-Fi network, and the minus is limited functionality (usually only photos).

How to connect:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone (Settings → Bluetooth).
2. Turn on the printer and put it in pairing mode (usually hold the power button for 3-5 seconds until the indicator blinks).
3. On your phone, click "Device Search" and select your printer from the list.
4. Confirm the pairing (may require input) PIN-code, usually 0000 or 1234).
5. Install a branded app (e.g. Mi Home for Xiaomi printers or HP Sprocket for devices of the same name).

Features of printing via Bluetooth:

• 📸 Only images are supported (JPEG, PNG). Documents (PDF, DOCX) print out.
• 🔋 Phone battery consumption increases by 15-20% due to constant data transfer.
• 📏 Maximum print resolution is usually 300-600 dpi (versus 1200 dpi for laser printers).

4. Cloud Printing (Google Cloud Print and Alternatives)

Google Cloud Print is officially shutting down in December 2020, but there are working alternatives:

• 🌐 HP Smart (for printers) HP)
• 🌐 Epson Connect (for Epson printers)
• 🌐 Canon PRINT (for Canon printers)
• 🌐 PrinterShare (Universal Solution)

How to Set Up Cloud Printing with Examples HP Smart:

1. Install the app HP Smart from Play Market.
2. Create an account HP Or log in via Google.
3. Connect the printer to the same Wi-Fi network as the phone.
4. In the application, click "Add printer" and select your model.
5. You can now print from any application by selecting Print → HP Smart".

The advantages of cloud printing:

• 📍 Print from any device (even if you are not at home).
• 📎 Support for all formats (PDF, DOCX, XLSX, picture).
• 🔄 Automatic driver updates.

⚠️ Note: When using cloud services, documents are temporarily uploaded to the manufacturer's servers. If you print sensitive data, use a local area network (Wi-Fi) or USB.

5.Print through NFC (for supported models)

Some printers (e.g. Brother) HL-L8360CDW Canon imageCLASS MF743Cdw) support NFC — short-range wireless technology, so that we can use it:

1. Make sure your Xiaomi supports you. NFC (Check: Settings → Connection and sharing → NFC).
2. Turn it on. NFC phone and printer.
3. Bring the phone to NFC-tag on the printer (usually marked with a logo) NFC).
4. Confirm the pairing on the phone screen.
5. Open the document and select Print – the printer will appear in the list of available.

Limitations NFC-print-out:

• 📏 The distance between the devices should not exceed 5-10 cm.
• 📄 Not all formats are supported (for example, it may not work with the DOCX, only PDF/JPEG).
• 🔋 NFC It consumes more power than Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi|USB (OTG)|Bluetooth|Cloud services|NFC|I don't type from my phone.-->

6. Solving common problems

If the printer is not connected, check these points:

If nothing helps:

• 🔄 Restart your router (sometimes) DHCP-The server forgets the printer).
• 📵 Temporarily shut down. VPN AdGuard – they can block local connections.
• 🔧 Reset the network settings on the printer (usually the Reset button on the back panel).

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Before buying a printer, check its compatibility with Android on the manufacturer’s website.Some models (such as older Samsung or Lexmark) may not support printing from Xiaomi phones without additional drivers.

7.The Best Printing Apps With Xiaomi

If the proprietary printer software is unstable, try universal applications:

• 📄 PrinterShare supports 90% of printers, there is a plugin for Google Drive.
• 🖼️ Canon PRINT — Best for Canon printers, there's a scan feature.
• 🌐 Cloud Print by Xerox is an alternative to Google Cloud Print.
• 📱 Mi Print – Xiaomi’s proprietary solution (only works with their printers).

Comparison of annexes:

Recommendation: If you have a printer HP, use HP Smart is more stable than universal solutions. PrinterShare is suitable for other models (there is a free trial version).

FAQ: Frequent questions