A tablet can be a great tool for a variety of tasks, including printing. The only problem is that many tablets lack basic printer features, making it difficult to print from a tablet. Fortunately, there are a few ways to connect a tablet to a printer and make the process easy.
One way is to use the Android Default Print Service, which tells your phone or tablet to connect to any printer on the same Wi-Fi network. However, the printer must also support this feature in order for the connection to work properly.
Another way to print from your tablet is to use a USB OTG cable and the printer’s specific driver or app. You can then print photos, documents, or webpages from your Android device to the printer.
You can also use the Google Cloud Print service on your tablet to print files from anywhere on the internet using a compatible printer. This is a convenient method for traveling or in situations where you don’t have access to your printer’s wireless network.
Some tablet models can connect to a wireless printer through Bluetooth, which is easier than Wi-Fi and works with many more printers. The first step is to put your printer into Bluetooth pairing mode, which may require you to press a button or select a menu. Check your user’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to do this.
Once your tablet is connected to a wireless network, open an app that supports printing and tap the Menu icon. This often looks like a three-dot menu in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Next, tap the Share or Share & Export option in the app’s menu and then select Print. You’ll see a list of available printers, which you can choose to use.
Alternatively, you can install a print plugin from the Google Play Store. These are third-party plug-ins that add printing functionality to your tablet. There are several different types of printer plug-ins, so be sure to choose the one that works best for your device.
Finally, you can set up a dedicated printer email address to send and receive prints from your tablet. This works with almost all printer brands, but you’ll want to follow the steps in the manufacturer’s manual or contact the printer company for help with this.
If your tablet doesn’t have an email address for the printer, you can create a new one by sending it an email with the file as an attachment. This will then send it to the printer’s email address and allow you to print from any other device that has the email address for that printer.
You can then print from the printer directly or from a device with a Google Cloud Print account, such as a printer’s own web server. The latter is recommended for the most reliable results, but you’ll have to pay a small fee to do so.
A good printer app can be a lifesaver if you’re ever in a pinch. Whether you’re printing a photo or document, a printer app can save you time and trouble by taking care of all the necessary details, so you can focus on what’s important.