To print from a Samsung Galaxy phone with a Canon printer, install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from the Google Play Store, connect your phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network, and select the print option from within the app. The app walks you through the entire setup and lets you print photos, documents, and web pages directly from your phone. This guide covers the setup process, troubleshooting common connection problems, and answers frequent questions about mobile printing.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- A Canon printer that supports wireless printing (most models from the last decade do, including PIXMA, MAXIFY, and imageCLASS lines).
- A Samsung Galaxy phone running Android 6.0 or later (the Canon PRINT app generally requires Android 6.0+).
- A stable Wi-Fi network that both the printer and the phone can connect to. The printer must be connected to the same network as your phone for the app to find it.
- The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app installed from the Google Play Store. Search for “Canon PRINT” and look for the app published by Canon Inc.
Step-by-Step Setup and Printing
Once you have the prerequisites, follow these steps to print from your Galaxy phone:
- Connect your printer to Wi-Fi: Use the printer’s control panel or its own setup wizard to join your home Wi-Fi network. If you haven’t done this yet, consult your printer’s manual—the process varies by model. Many Canon printers have a WPS button that you can press on your router and the printer to connect them automatically.
- Install the Canon PRINT app: Open the Google Play Store on your Galaxy phone, search for “Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY,” and install it. This is the official app for most Canon inkjet and SELPHY printers. For laser printers, Canon has a separate app called “Canon PRINT Business.”
- Launch the app and accept permissions: Open the app and grant it the necessary permissions (location, storage, etc.) when prompted. The location permission is often required to discover nearby printers over Wi-Fi.
- Add your printer: The app should automatically detect your Canon printer on the same network. If it doesn’t, tap the “Add Printer” or “Search” icon and select your printer from the list. You may need to enter the printer’s IP address if it doesn’t appear automatically.
- Select the content to print: From the app’s home screen, choose whether you want to print photos, documents, or web pages. For photos, select from your gallery; for documents, choose from your phone’s storage or cloud services (like Google Drive); for web pages, enter the URL.
- Adjust settings and print: Preview the print job, choose paper size, type, quality, and number of copies, then tap the print button. The app will send the job to the printer.
If your printer supports it, you can also print via Google Cloud Print (though this service was discontinued in 2020) or via the printer’s own Wi-Fi Direct mode, which creates a direct connection between the phone and printer without a router. The Canon PRINT app handles most of this automatically.
How the Canon PRINT App Works
The Canon PRINT app uses your phone’s Wi-Fi connection to communicate with the printer over your local network. It sends the print job as a standard print file (usually PDF or JPEG) to the printer’s IP address. The app also provides status updates, ink level monitoring, and scanning functions if your printer has a scanner. It does not require an internet connection to print locally—both devices just need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. The app can also print to cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, but those require internet access.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
If the app cannot find your printer, try these fixes in order:
- Check the network: Make sure your phone and printer are on the exact same Wi-Fi network. If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, ensure both devices are on the same band. Some printers only support 2.4 GHz.
- Restart both devices: Turn off your printer and phone, then turn them back on. This often resolves temporary network glitches.
- Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi: Run the printer’s network setup again. If you changed your router or Wi-Fi password recently, the printer may have lost its connection.
- Disable VPN or mobile data: A VPN can interfere with local network discovery. Turn it off temporarily. Also, ensure your phone is not using mobile data as the primary connection (even if Wi-Fi is on, some phones route traffic through mobile data if Wi-Fi has no internet).
- Use the printer’s IP address: In the Canon PRINT app, you can manually add a printer by entering its IP address. Find the IP address from the printer’s network settings menu (usually under “Network” or “LAN settings”).
- Update the app and printer firmware: Check the Play Store for app updates and your printer’s manual for firmware update instructions.
If none of these work, try printing via the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct mode. This creates a direct connection between the phone and printer without a router. In the app, look for “Wi-Fi Direct” or “Direct Connection” options.
Printing Without the Canon App
You can also print from your Galaxy phone using the built-in Android printing service if your Canon printer supports it. To do this:
- Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing on your Galaxy phone.
- Tap “Add service” and look for “Canon Print Service” or “Default Print Service.” Install it if available.
- Once installed, you can print from any app that has a print option (like Chrome, Gmail, or Google Photos) by tapping the menu (three dots) and selecting “Print.”
This method is useful if you want to print without opening the Canon PRINT app. However, the Canon app gives you more control over settings like paper size and quality.
Comparing Canon PRINT with Other Printing Methods
The Canon PRINT app is the most direct way to print from a Galaxy phone to a Canon printer. Alternatives include:
- Google Cloud Print (discontinued): This service ended in 2020, so it’s no longer a viable option.
- Email printing: Some Canon printers have an email address that lets you print attachments by sending an email. This requires the printer to be connected to the internet and registered with Canon’s cloud service.
- AirPrint (for iOS): Not directly relevant for Android, but some Canon printers support AirPrint, which is iOS-only.
- USB OTG: You can connect your phone to the printer via a USB On-The-Go cable and use a printing app like “USB Printer” or “PrinterShare.” This works but is cumbersome and not recommended for regular use.
For most users, the Canon PRINT app is the easiest and most reliable method.
Costs and Paper Considerations
Printing from your phone does not incur any additional software costs—the Canon PRINT app is free. However, you should be aware of the cost of ink and paper. Mobile printing uses the same ink as any other printing, so you’ll go through cartridges at the same rate. To save money, use draft mode for documents and print photos only when necessary. Also, make sure you select the correct paper type in the app to avoid wasting ink on the wrong setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Canon printer show up in the Canon PRINT app?
Most likely, your phone and printer are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both are connected to the same router and same band (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz). Also, ensure the printer is not in sleep mode—wake it up by pressing a button.
Can I print from my Galaxy phone without Wi-Fi?
Yes, if your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct. In the Canon PRINT app, look for “Wi-Fi Direct” or “Direct Connection” and connect your phone to the printer’s own network. This works even without a router.
Does the Canon PRINT app work with all Canon printers?
No. The app is designed for inkjet and SELPHY printers. For Canon laser printers, use the “Canon PRINT Business” app instead. Check your printer’s manual or the app description to confirm compatibility.
How do I print a web page from my Galaxy phone?
In the Canon PRINT app, select “Web Page” and enter the URL. The app will capture the page and let you print it. Alternatively, open the page in Chrome, tap the menu, and select “Print” if you have the Canon Print Service installed.
Why is my print job stuck in the queue?
This often happens due to a weak Wi-Fi signal or the printer being offline. Restart both the printer and the app, and make sure the printer is not in an error state (e.g., paper jam or low ink). Also, check if the printer is set as the default in the app.
Can I print photos directly from Google Photos?
Yes, if you have the Canon Print Service enabled. Open the photo in Google Photos, tap the share icon, and choose “Print.” You can then select your Canon printer and adjust settings.
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