Android default print service Download and Setup Guide
How Android prints, and why most phones use Mopria underneath
Representative photo — Nika Benedictova
Android prints through print services, small plugins that add printers to the system print dialog so you can print from any app. Most Android phones ship with a Mopria-powered default print service, and manufacturers such as HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and Samsung publish their own plugins that add brand-specific options. Google's only support article on this is written for Pixel phones, so the menu path it shows is Settings, Connected devices, Connection preferences, Printing, which is the same on most devices even if the wording varies.
Version and licence: Built into Android; nothing to download for the basic service. Google's only support article on this is Pixel-branded, so it describes the Pixel menu path, but the same settings exist on most Android phones. Most Android devices ship a Mopria-powered print service as the default.
Download Android default print service
What it does
- System print dialog available from any app that supports printing
- Default print service powered by Mopria on most devices
- Manufacturer print service plugins add brand-specific options
- Automatic discovery of network printers
- Print preview with paper size, copies and colour options
- Save as PDF as a built-in destination
- Cloud print destinations where an app provides them
How to install it
Step 1
Connect the phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
Step 2
Open Settings, Connected devices, Connection preferences, Printing. The exact wording varies by manufacturer.
Step 3
Check whether a default print service is listed and switch it on.
Step 4
If no printers are found, install the Mopria Print Service from Google Play and enable it here.
Step 5
Grant the location or nearby-devices permission, which Android requires before an app can discover devices on the network.
Step 6
Open any document or photo, choose Print from the share menu, and pick your printer.
Step 7
Set the paper size and copies in the preview, then print.
Step 8
Install the manufacturer's print plugin as well if you need brand-specific options such as stapling or accounting codes.
Which printers it supports
Any printer supported by an installed print service, which through Mopria covers most current network printers, plus manufacturer plugins for HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Samsung, Lexmark and others.
When Android default print service will not work
Android requires location or nearby-devices permission before an app can discover network devices, so grant it. Then confirm a print service is enabled in the printing settings and that the phone is on the same network as the printer.
Not every app implements printing. Share the file to Google Drive or a PDF viewer that does support printing, or save it as a PDF and print from the Files app.
That is Google's only article on this, but the settings exist on most Android devices. Look for Printing under Connected devices or Connection preferences, and search the settings for print if the wording differs.
You probably have two print services enabled, such as Mopria and a manufacturer plugin, both offering the same printer. Disable one in the printing settings.
The default Mopria service exposes a standard option set. Install the manufacturer's own print plugin, or their full app, to reach brand-specific features.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Google's article about Pixel phones?
It is the only article Google publishes on Android printing. The same settings exist on most Android devices, usually under Connected devices, Connection preferences, Printing.
Do I need to install anything?
Usually not, since most phones ship a Mopria-powered service. If yours does not find printers, install the Mopria Print Service from Google Play.
Why do I need to grant location permission?
Android ties local network discovery to location or nearby-device permissions, so print services cannot find printers without it.
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