Xiaomi’s modern smartphones make it easy to manage the entire digital ecosystem of the home, and printing documents from a phone is no longer a difficult task. Wireless connection eliminates the need to search for cables and connect the device directly to the computer, which is especially convenient in conditions of limited space.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways to integrate printing equipment into the network, using the capabilities of the MIUI operating system and third-party applications. You will learn how to configure Wi-Fi Direct, work through cloud services and use standard AirPrint or Mopria protocols.
No matter what brand of equipment you have — HP, Canon, Epson or Brother, the basic principles of connectivity remain the same. IP-The device address on the LAN and make sure that the smartphone and printer are in the same network segment. Let's get to the practical part and set up your system to work comfortably.
Compatibility check and equipment preparation
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure your printer supports wireless technology.Most modern models have a built-in Wi-Fi module, but some budget options may require a connection via a wireless device. USB-Adapter or Wi-Fi Direct technology. Check for the appropriate button on the case or wireless network icon in the device menu.
It is also critical that your router runs at 2.4GHz, as many printers still don’t support the 5GHz standard. If your Xiaomi smartphone is connected to a 5GHz network and the printer is trying to connect to 2.4GHz, they may simply “not see” each other on the list of available devices.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the router has turned off the customer isolation function (AP Isolation, otherwise devices on the same network will not be able to communicate.
To sync successfully, you will need to know the password from your WiFi network. IP-address, if the automatic distribution of addresses DHCP Write down the printer's Mac address, which is usually on the sticker at the back or in the test print configuration.
Configure with Mi Home and Cloud Services
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers a unified approach to smart home management through the Mi Home app. While not all printers have native support for the app, many IoT-certified models can be added to the common interface, allowing you to create scenarios like automatically printing reports when a specific notification arrives.
To connect, open the app, click on the plus in the top right corner, and select device search. If your printer is in pairing mode, Xiaomi's system will suggest adding it. During the setup process, the app will automatically transfer network settings to the device. This is the easiest method for users who want to keep all the gadgets in one place.
If you don't have direct integration with Mi Home, use cloud services like HP Smart or Epson Connect. Register your device in the manufacturer's personal account, link it to your account, and then install the app on your phone. Once you've authorized all documents sent through the app will be queued regardless of where the phone is, Internet access.
What if the Mi Home can’t see the printer?
Using Wi-Fi Direct Technology for Direct Printing
Wi-Fi Direct allows you to create a direct connection between your smartphone and printer without the need for a router, ideal if you are visiting or in an office where access to the main network is limited, and the printer acts as the hotspot to which your Xiaomi phone connects.
To activate this mode, find a button with a smartphone image or wireless network icon on the printer control panel. Press and hold it until the indicator flashes. On the phone, go to the Wi-Fi settings, find a network with a name that contains a printer model (such as HP-Print-xx-Model), and connect to it. The default password is often listed on the device screen or in the instructions.
☑️ Checklist of Wi-Fi Direct connection
Once paired successfully, the phone may temporarily lose access to the Internet, as it switched to the local printer network. Modern versions of Android and MIUI shells are able to warn about this and offer to keep access to mobile Internet at the same time as Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to send documents to print, continuing to correspond in instant messengers.
Standard Printing Protocols: Mopria and AirPrint
The Android operating system on which MIUI is based supports the Mopria standard, which provides compatibility with 90% of modern printers without installing additional drivers. If your device supports this protocol, it will automatically appear in the list of available when you try to print any document or photo. You do not need to look for a specific application for each model.
Apple devices use the AirPrint protocol, but Xiaomi owners can use its analogues or built-in system tools. In the phone settings, under the "Connections and Sharing" or "Print", you can activate the corresponding plugins. The system will scan the network itself and suggest installing the necessary components if they are not already loaded.
| Protocol | Description | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Mopria | Universal Standard for Android | Insert in the printing settings |
| AirPrint | Standard for Apple devices | It works automatically on the network. |
| Google Cloud Print | Outdated cloud service | Not supported (closed) |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Direct connection without router | Connect to the printer network |
If standard methods don’t work, check to see if the router’s firewall blocks the ports used for printing (typically 9100, 515, 631). MAC-The printer's address is with the administrator. Without this step, the device will receive IP-address, but will not be able to accept assignments for printing from the outside.
Installation of drivers and third-party applications
When the built-in tools fail, you have to install specialized applications from the manufacturer: Samsung Mobile Print for Samsung, Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY for Canon, and Brother iPrint&Scan for Brother, which provide advanced functionality, including scanning and monitoring ink levels.
Download apps only from the official Google Play store or GetApps (Xiaomi app store) to avoid malware. Once installed, the app will request permissions to access the local network and files - this is necessary for proper operation. Follow the instructions of the in-app customization wizard.
⚠️ Note: When installing applications from unknown developers, you risk passing your documents to third parties.
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If the application does not find the printer, try manually entering it. IP-You can find it by printing out the network configuration report on the printer itself or by looking at the client list on the router.
Some older models may require the installation of a print plugin. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Print and check the list of available services. If the right manufacturer is not on the list, the system will prompt you to download it from the application store. Once the plugin is installed, the device will become available for all programs on the phone.
Solution: The printer is not found or prints
One of the most common problems is that the phone sees the printer's network, but the "No Internet" status blocks the print. There's a feature in MIUI that can get in the way of "Switch to mobile data if there's no Wi-Fi," and try turning that off or adding the printer address to the exceptions so that the system knows that there's no Internet in this case.
Another reason is different subnets: If your phone is on a guest VLAN and the printer is on the main VLAN, they won't see each other. Make sure both devices are on the same subnet, like 192.168.1.x. Also check if the router is running Guest Network mode for one of the devices, as it isolates customers.
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90% of connection problems are solved by restarting the router and resetting the printer’s network settings to factory values.
If nothing works, reset the network settings on the printer, usually via a menu or a combination of buttons. After reset, re-enter the WiFi settings. Make sure the network name (SSID) does not contain Cyrillic characters, as some printers do not properly process Russian letters in the network names.