Instructions for using a Xiaomi printer: from unpacking to printing

Xiaomi printers have gained popularity due to their compactness, ease of use and integration with the brand ecosystem. However, even with such devices, users have questions: how to connect the printer to the phone, what supplies to use, why the print is interrupted or how to print high-quality photos.

Xiaomi

Mi Portable Photo Printer

Xiaomi Print

We won't overload the theory: it's just practical advice, tested on models from 2020 to 2026, all the instructions are adapted to the latest versions of the Mi Home app and the device firmware.

1. Unpacking and preparing the printer for operation

The first thing to do after buying is to carefully inspect the equipment. In the box with the Xiaomi printer should be:

• 📦 The printer itself (model is shown on the sticker below)
• 🔌 Power Cable (USB-Type-C or microUSB depending on the model)
• 📄 Warranty card and brief instructions in several languages
• 🖨️ Starting set of consumables (paper, cartridge or tape for thermal printing)
• 📱 QR-Mi Home application download code (if the printer is smart)

Before first turning on, check:

1. No visible damage to the body and connectors.
2. Matching model on box and printer (e.g. Mi Portable Photo Printer) 2S must be marked MJCTD02YM).
3. Presence of protective films on printed elements (they need to be removed!).

Many users miss this step, but unpacking incorrectly can cause a breakdown. For example, if you don't remove the transport locks inside a photo printer, the paper feed mechanism will jam. 1S) be sure to check that the printing tape (ribbon) is installed correctly - its distortion will disable the printing head.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t connect the printer to the network until it’s fully unpacked. In battery models (Mi Portable Photo Printer 2), charge the device 30-50% first to protect the battery from deep discharge.

Remove all protective films and stickers|

Check the completeness according to the instructions|

Charge the battery (for portable models)|

Set the expenditure according to the guide|

2. Connecting the printer to a phone or computer

The way you connect depends on the printer model. All Xiaomi devices support wireless connectivity, but some (e.g. Xiaomi Print) A4) also USB-port for direct connection to PC.

For portable photo printers (Mi Portable Photo Printer):

For laser printers (Xiaomi Print):

• 📱 To print from your phone, use the Mi Print app (separate from Mi Home).

If the printer is not on the network, check:

• 🔌 Correctness of cable connection (for wired models).
• 📶 Wi-Fi Compatibility: Xiaomi printers only work with 2.4 GHz networks (not 5 GHz support!).
• 🔄 Restart router and printer (hold power button for 10 seconds).

Wi-Fi via Mi Home|

Po Po Po USB computer-to-computer|

Through Ethernet (wire)|

I don't know, I haven't tried it yet.-->

3. Refilling with consumables

The right choice and installation of consumables determines the quality of the printer and the life of the printer. Xiaomi uses three types of systems:

• 🖼️ Thermal printing (for portable photo printers): tape with a dye layer (ribbon) and special paper.

For photo printers (Mi Portable Photo Printer):

For laser printers (Xiaomi Print) A4):

• 🔄 Turn off the printer and wait for the fan to stop.
• 🖨️ Open the front cover and remove the old cartridge (pull the handle).
• 🆕 Install a new cartridge with guides (models: Xiaomi Toner Cartridge) 106R02747 black-faced, 106R02748/49/50 colourful).
• ⚠️ Do not touch the photo drum (green shaft) - it will spoil the seal!

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi printers block the use of non-original cartridges. If you see an error "Incompatible cartridge", update the printer firmware via Mi Home or contact support to unlock.

4. Printing of photographs and documents

The printing process varies depending on the type of printer, and let's look at two basic scenarios: printing photos from the phone and documents from the computer.

Printing photos via Mi Home:

1. Open the app and select your printer.
2. Click Print photos and select images from the gallery.
3. Edit the photo (trimming, filters, adding frames).
4. Select the paper format (54×86 The standard for Mi Portable Photo Printer).
5. Press Print and wait until it is completed (usually 30–60 seconds in the photo).

Printing of documents from PC:

1. Make sure the printer is connected to the same network as the computer.
2. Open the document (Word, PDF, Excel) and select the file → Seal.
3. In the list of printers, select your Xiaomi model.
4. Set up the parameters: 📄 Paper format: A4, A5 or user-generated. 🎨 Color/Black and White Mode. 🔍 Quality: Draft (quick), Standard, High.

Seal.

If the printer does not respond to the print command:

• 🔄 Restart the printer and computer/phone.
• 📶 Check the network connection (the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer should be green).
• 🖨️ Update your printer driver via Device Manager (Windows) or App Store (macOS).
• 📱 In your phone, enable permission to access photos for the Mi Home app.

💡

For better quality photos in Mi Portable Photo Printer 2S Use Deep Black mode in your print settings, which increases the saturation of dark tones, but consumes more tape.

5. Typical errors and their elimination

Even the most reliable printers sometimes fail, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

If the printer chewed the paper:

1. Turn off the printer with the power button.
2. Carefully pull the paper against the direction of the feed (do not tear!).
3. Check the feed rollers for debris.
4. Turn on the printer and repeat the print.

If the printer prints blank sheets:

• 🖨️ For laser models: shake the cartridge (evenly distribute the toner).
• 🌡️ For thermal printers: check if the tape is out (ribbon).
• 🔧 Start cleaning the print head in the printer settings.

⚠️ Note: If after replacing the cartridge, the Xiaomi Print printer gives an error "Incompatible cartridge", update the firmware through the Mi Home. In 2023, Xiaomi released a patch that blocks non-original consumables in new batches of devices.

6. Printer maintenance and care

To make the printer last longer, follow simple rules:

• 🧹 Clean: Once a month, wipe the case with a dry wipe. To clean the printed head, use special wipes without pile.
• 🌡️ Storage conditions: Keep the printer dry (humidity 40–60%). Avoid direct sunlight.
• 🔋 Battery: For portable models, discharge and charge the battery to 100 every 3 months%.
• 📦 Consumers: Store paper and cartridges in factory packaging to avoid dust.

How to Clean a Print Head in Mi Portable Photo Printer

1. Turn off the printer and remove the paper/ribbon.
2. Wet the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%).

For Xiaomi Print laser printers, it is important to:

• 🖨️ Every 500 to 1000 pages, clean the rollers of paper from dust.
• 🔄 Change the toner to the complete emptying of the cartridge – printing with the “last grams” of powder spoils the photo drum.
• ⚠️ Do not use a vacuum cleaner to clean – static electricity can damage electronics.

💡

Regular maintenance of Xiaomi printer increases its life by 2-3 times, pay special attention to cleaning the printing head in thermal printers, it is most vulnerable to contamination.

7. Compatibility with other devices

Xiaomi printers are optimized to work with the brand ecosystem, but they also support third-party devices.

With phones and tablets:

With computers:

• 🖥️ Windows: Versions are supported 7/8/10/11. Driver downloads automatically via Windows Update or from Xiaomi website.

With smart devices:

Xiaomi printers are integrated into the Mi Home ecosystem, allowing:

• 📷 Print photos directly from Xiaomi cameras (for example, Mi Home Security Camera).
• 🎮 Manage voice printing through Alice (set up the script in Mi Home).
• ⏱️ Start printing on schedule (for example, print out a schedule for the day with Mi Band).

⚠️ Note: Mi Portable Photo Printer photo printers do not support computer printing, only from mobile devices via Mi Home. Use laser models to print documents (Xiaomi Print) A4).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi printers