How to print from Xiaomi phone on a printer: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones have long since ceased to be just callers, becoming powerful multimedia centers capable of performing tasks that were previously only available to computers. One such task is printing documents and photos, which is especially important for students, office workers and photographers. Mobile printing allows you to instantly transfer digital content to paper without having to upload files to a PC, which saves time and simplifies workflow.

The Android ecosystem that powers the MIUI shell provides users with a wide range of tools to interact with peripherals. However, many owners of Redmi and POCO devices still don’t know how to set up a connection correctly or which applications to use for stable operation. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the available methods, from standard system functions to specialized utilities from the manufacturer.

It is important to understand that the method of connection depends on the specifications of your printer and the current network infrastructure, whether it is a modern network MFP with Wi-Fi Direct support or an older model with a high-quality network. USB-So we're going to look at the nuances of the setup, so you can choose the best option for your situation.

Preparation of equipment and network

Before you start setting up the software part, you need to ensure physical compatibility and networking of devices. Wireless network is the most convenient way to transfer data, but it requires that both the smartphone and the printer are on the same local Wi-Fi network. If the router distributes the network at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, make sure that both devices are connected to the same frequency, as some older models of printers may not see devices in the adjacent range.

For users whose printers do not have a built-in Wi-Fi module, there is the possibility of wired connection via the Internet. OTG-In this case, you will need a special adapter that corresponds to the type of connector of your phone (USB It is worth noting that not all Xiaomi smartphones support the host function. USB, Therefore, compatibility is better checked in advance in the device specification.

⚠️ Attention: When in use USB-Make sure the printer is plugged in and is in standby mode. OTG can consume a significant battery charge of the smartphone, so it is recommended to have an external battery or charger at hand.

It’s also worth checking for drivers, although in Android they are most often automatically embedded when you connect a compatible device. If your printer is networked, it’s a good idea to know it beforehand. IP-address via the printer’s menu itself, as this may be required to manually configure the connection in advanced utilities.

Using the Android Printing System Plugin

Android has a built-in printing engine that activates automatically when compatible hardware is detected. In Xiaomi smartphones, this process is usually transparent to the user: just open a document or a photo, click the share button or three-dot menu, and select the Print option. The system itself scans the available printers on the network and offers them to choose from.

If the automatic search didn’t work, you should check the plugin’s settings. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Print. Here you will see a list of print services available. Default Print Service plugin is activated by default, which is responsible for the basic functionality. Make sure the switch opposite is activated and device detection is included in the option menu.

For some printer brands, such as HP, Epson or Canon, the same menu can display specialized plugins, which allow you to expand the functionality by adding support for specific paper formats or color reproduction settings. Just click on the service name in the list, and the system will prompt you to download the necessary component from the Google Play store.

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If the printer is not automatically located, try restarting the router. Sometimes the DNS cache on the network equipment blocks the detection of new devices on the local network.

An important aspect is formatting the document before sending. The system allows (preview) and basic settings: select the number of copies, page range and orientation of the sheet. However, deep tweaking of print quality or tray selection often remains unavailable through the standard interface, which requires the use of third-party applications.

Mi Print app – Xiaomi ecosystem

For Xiaomi and Redmi owners, the company has developed its own Mi Print app (formerly known as Mi Remote or part of Mi Drop services in some regions), which is optimized for working with the brand’s devices, but also supports many third-party printer models. The main advantage is deep integration with the MIUI shell and the ability to quickly transfer files without loss of quality.

After installing the application from the GetApps store or Google Play, you must provide it with the necessary permissions to access files and the local network. The interface of the program is intuitive: the available printers are displayed on the home screen. If the device is not found, you can use the function of adding IP-address by manually entering data in the appropriate fields.

• 🖨️ Support for printing photos, documents PDF, Word and Excel without conversion.
• 📡 Printing via Wi-Fi Direct without Internet connection.
• ⚙️ Advanced Settings: Selection of Paper Type, Quality and Scale.
• 📂 Integration with Mi Cloud and Google Drive.

One of the key features of Mi Print is the ability to scan documents directly through the application interface, if the printer is equipped with a scanner module. The scanned file can be immediately saved to the phone's memory or sent by email, making the application a full-fledged tool for working with documents.

Printing through Google Cloud Print and third-party utilities

Although Google Cloud Print is officially shut down by Google, its functionality has been redistributed between native Android capabilities and manufacturers’ applications.However, cloud-based printing is still used to print from anywhere in the world (remote printing), and the printer must be connected to the Internet and registered with the manufacturer’s corresponding service, such as HP Smart or Epson iPrint.

Third-party utilities like NokoPrint or PrinterShare are often more versatile than standard tools. They are able to work with printers that don't support AirPrint or standard Android protocols. These applications often have their own drivers, allowing you to print even on fairly old models that no longer have official support.

The setup process in these applications usually boils down to choosing the type of connection (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB) and finding the device. Once connected, the application may suggest installing an additional plugin for your printer model, which ensures the correct interpretation of print commands and prevents the appearance of “broken” pages or distortions.

The use of specialized software is especially important if you need to print with the preservation of complex layout parameters. Standard Android tools can simplify the document, while a profile application from the printer manufacturer or a universal utility will transmit data in its original form.

Problems with drivers and their solution

The most common problem when trying to print a document from a Xiaomi phone is the lack of a suitable driver or its incorrect operation. Android uses a plug-in system, and if your printer doesn't have built-in support, it can simply not see the device or refuse to print. APK-Driver file or use universal solutions.

Sometimes the problem is not the driver, but the data protocol. Modern printers use Mopria, which is the standard for Android. If your printer is old and does not support Mopria, you will definitely need a proxy application that will take over the data conversion function. Make sure that the phone settings include Mopria support, if this option is available in your version of MIUI.

⚠️ Note: When installing drivers from unknown sources (APK-Site files) security system MIUI You will need to allow installation from unknown sources in the security settings, but do this only for proven resources to avoid viruses.

In case the print is coming but the text is floating or the pictures are cropped, the problem may be the paper size mismatch. Check the page settings in the print menu and make sure you choose the A4 format over Letter, which is popular in the US but rarely used in the CIS. Also try zooming to Page Size.

Printing via USB OTG: step-by-step instructions

When wireless is unavailable or unstable, a time-tested cable comes to the rescue. To connect the printer to a Xiaomi smartphone via USB, you will need an OTG (On-The-Go) adapter. This method is good because it does not require network setup and drivers are often installed on the fly when connected.

First, connect the printer cable to the power supply (if it doesn’t have its own battery) and USB-exit OTG-Connect the adapter to your phone. Turn on the printer. You should see a notification on your smartphone screen. USB-If nothing has happened, check the settings. → Connection and sharing → USB, activated OTG (Some Xiaomi models need to be manually enabled).

Once you've successfully connected, a new device, often referred to as USB Printer, will appear on the list of printers available when you try to print, and you can select it and try to send a test page, and the advantage of this method is that it has high data rates and no Wi-Fi latency.

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USB-connection OTG — The most reliable way to print large volumes of text, as it eliminates the loss of data packets possible with an unstable Wi-Fi signal.

It should be borne in mind that when printing heavy graphics files via USB phone can heat up, as the processor actively encodes the image for the printer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)