Xiaomi Portable Printer: Full Instructions for Use in 2026

Xiaomi’s portable printers are compact devices that allow you to print photos, documents, and even stickers anywhere without being tied to a stationary workplace. Models like the Mi Portable Photo Printer or Mijia Pocket Printer have become popular because of their smartphone compatibility, wireless connectivity, and high print quality. However, many users face difficulties when they first start up: how to connect a printer to a phone, what supplies to choose, and why the device sometimes refuses to print?

In this article, we will look at all the steps of working with Xiaomi portable printers, from unpacking and setting up to solving typical problems. You will learn how to print from Android and iOS, what applications to use to edit photos before printing, and how to extend the life of the cartridge. And we will also reveal several hidden features that are not written in the official instructions – for example, how to print without connecting to a smartphone or create collages directly in a mobile application.

1. Unpacking and completeness: what should be in the box

Before first switching on, check if all components are included. Xiaomi's standard portable printer delivery includes:

• 📦 The printer itself (the model depends on the series - for example, Mi Portable Photo Printer 2 or Mijia Pocket Printer). S1)
• 🔋 Charging cable (usually) USB Type-C, but older models may have Micro-USB)
• 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
• 🎨 Starting ink cartridge (in some models – separately packed tape for thermal printing)
• 📱 Reference or QR-code for downloading the official Mi Home or Xiaomi Print app

If the box is missing a cartridge or cable, this is an excuse to contact the seller. Also note the serial number (usually pasted on the bottom of the device): it will be necessary to register in the application and check the warranty. In models with thermal printing (for example, Mijia Pocket Printer), instead of ink, special paper that is sensitive to heat is used, which should also be enough for 10-20 prints out of the box.

⚠️ Warning: Some marketplace vendors sell printers without the original consumables, replacing them with cheap ones, which can ruin the print head.

Before you turn on, charge the printer 100%, which will take about 2-3 hours. The charging indicator (usually the LED on the front panel) should stop flashing and burn green. 1S) The battery can be removed for replacement, but it is not recommended to do so without need.

2. Connecting the printer to the smartphone: step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi portable printers connect to your phone via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct (depending on the model).

Method 1: Bluetooth connection (for most models)

1. Turn on the printer with a long press on the power button (usually 3-5 seconds).
2. On your smartphone, open Settings → Bluetooth and find a device called MI_XXXX or Mijia_Printer.
3. Connect to the printer. You may need to enter PIN-The standard code for Xiaomi is 0000 or 1234.
4. Install the official annex: 🤖 For Android: Mi Home or Xiaomi Print 🍎 For iOS: Mi Home

Add the device

Method 2: Wi-Fi Direct (for supported models)

Some printers (e.g. Mi Portable Photo Printer 2) support connection over a local Wi-Fi network.

1. Turn on the printer Wi-Fi mode (usually a combination of buttons – see the instructions).
2. On the phone, connect to the network with the name MI_PRINTER_XXXX (password is in the manual).
3. Open the Xiaomi Print app and follow the on-screen hints.

Once you've successfully connected, the printer will appear in the app's device list, and you can now start printing.

Make sure the printer is on and charged.|Check that Bluetooth/Wi-Fi active on the phone|Update the Mi Home app to the latest version|Restart the printer if it is not detected.

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3. Printing photos and documents: a step-by-step process

You can print a photo or document with a portable Xiaomi printer directly from your smartphone. Consider the process using the Xiaomi Print application (the interface may vary slightly depending on the printer model).

Printing photos

1. Open the Xiaomi Print app and select the Photos section.
2. Click Select Photos and select Images from Gallery. Supported formats JPEG, PNG, WEBP.
3. Edit the photo if necessary: 🎨 Filters: 10 available+ pre-installed styles (for example, "Vintage", "Ch / B»). ✂️ Cutting: You can change the aspect ratio (1:1, 3:4, 16:9). 📝 Text and stickers: Add labels or stickers (there are even memes and emojis).

print-out

5×7 centimeter

10×15 centimeter

Seal.

Printing of documents and screenshots

For printing the text or PDF:

1. In the appendix, select the Documents section.
2. Download the file (supported) PDF, DOCX, TXT) Take a screenshot of the screen directly in the app.
3. Set up the parameters: 🖼️ Scale: Reduce the document if it does not fit on the sheet. 🔄 Orientation: book or album. 🖨️ Quality: "Draft" (savings ink) or "High».

Seal.

In some models (for example, Mijia Pocket Printer) S1) There's a print function without a phone connection, so you just plug a microSD card with a photo into a slot on the case and select files through the printer menu. JPEG.

💡

If the printer is stuck while printing, don't force it to turn it off. Wait 2-3 minutes, the device will automatically restart and continue to work.

Replacement of the cartridge and selection of consumables

The life of the cartridge in Xiaomi portable printers depends on the intensity of use. 50–100 print-print 10×15 When the ink is exhausted, the printer starts to print in pale stripes or produces a Low Ink error.

How to Replace Cartridge

1. Turn off the printer and disconnect it from charging.
2. Open the cartridge compartment cover (usually located on the back or side panel).
3. Carefully remove the old cartridge by pulling it over you. Don't touch the print head!
4. Install a new cartridge before you click. Make sure it sits tight in the grooves.
5. Close the lid and turn on the printer. It will automatically calibrate.

Printing is striped or blurred

It's a sign of a clogged printhead or a poor-quality ink to fix:

1. In the printer app, find the Clean Head option (usually in the Settings section). → Service).
2. Start the cleaning process (can take 2-5 minutes).
3. If the problem persists, replace the cartridge or check the paper compatibility.

The printer does not print color photos.

Some models, like the Mijia Pocket Printer, use monochrome thermal printing, and if your printer supports color, it prints in black and white:

• Check the settings in the app - Gray Gradation mode may have been selected.
• Make sure the cartridge is original and not empty (colored ink runs out faster than black ink).
• Update your printer firmware through Mi Home.

6. Life hacks and hidden functions

Xiaomi's portable printers are more than just photo printers, and here are some useful things that few people know about:

• 📱 Printing from cloud services: In the Xiaomi Print application you can connect Google Photos, Weibo or QQ Print photos directly from the cloud without downloading them to your phone.
• 🎨 Collages and templates: The Templates section has ready-made layouts for greeting cards, schedules or stickers for the planner.
• 🔄 Bilateral printing: Some models (e.g. Mi Portable Photo Printer 2) can be printed on both sides of the sheet – you need to manually turn the paper over and start printing the second side.
• 📡 Print without phone: If the printer has a microSD slot, you can upload the photo to the memory card, paste it into the device and print the images through the printer menu.
• 🔋 Power Bank: Some models (e.g. Mijia Pocket Printer) S1) They can work like a power bank and charge your phone through a power bank. USB Type-C.

Another useful trick is printing. QR-Xiaomi Print app has a generation function QR-It's convenient for creating tags, business cards or tags for things.

💡

To save ink, convert your color photos to black and white right in the app before printing, and select Mono or Sepia filters in the editor.

7. Printer care: how to extend the service life

Xiaomi’s portable printers require minimal maintenance, but a few simple rules can help you avoid breakdowns:

• 🔌 Charging: Use only the original cable and adapter. Don't leave the printer charging for more than 24 hours - this can shorten battery life.
• 🧹 Clean: Clean the case once a month with a soft wipe. Use a special feature in the printer menu to clean the printed head (do not use alcohol or aggressive solvents!).
• 🌡️ Temperature: Store printer and cartridges at 10-35°C. Avoid direct sunlight and humidity.
• 📄 Paper: Use only the recommended types of paper (see table in section 4).Do not load wrinkled or wet sheets into the tray.
• ✈️ Transportation: When carrying a printer (e.g. on a trip), remove the cartridge and pack it separately to avoid leakage.

If the printer is not in use for a long time (more than 2 weeks), it is recommended:

1. Print the test page every 7 days so that the ink does not dry.
2. Store a device with a partially charged battery (40–60%) – this prolongs the battery life.
3. Remove the cartridge and pack it in a sealed bag if the printer is not used for more than a month.

⚠️ Note: If the printer is making a Printer Error error 0x88, This can mean overheating the print head, turn off the device for 10-15 minutes and let it cool down. Do not place the printer near heat sources (for example, on the heating battery).

8. Alternative printing applications

The official Xiaomi Print app isn’t always handy — for example, it doesn’t have advanced photo editing tools.

For printing documents from Word or Excel, it is convenient to use Microsoft Print to PDF (It's built into Windows, and then you can transfer the file to your phone, and you can do it before you print it, and you can do it with Canva or Fotor.

If you often print from a MacBook or iPad, you can connect the printer to your computer via AirPrint (if the model supports Wi-Fi Direct).

1. Connect the printer to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer.
2. In the print menu (File) → Choose your Print Xiaomi Printer.
3. Set up the parameters and send the document to print.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)