Printing directly from your smartphone or tablet to your Canon printer is incredibly convenient, saving you the hassle of transferring files to a computer first. Whether you need to print documents, photos, or web pages, wireless printing offers a seamless and efficient solution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to connect your phone to your Canon printer and print effortlessly. We’ll cover everything from using Canon’s mobile printing app to utilizing cloud printing services and even direct Wi-Fi connections.
**Why Print Directly from Your Phone?**
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s quickly highlight the advantages of printing from your phone:
* **Convenience:** Print documents and photos without needing a computer.
* **Speed:** Quickly print on the go, saving time and effort.
* **Accessibility:** Access and print files directly from your phone’s storage, email, or cloud services.
* **Flexibility:** Print various types of content, including documents, photos, web pages, and more.
**Prerequisites**
Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
* **A Compatible Canon Printer:** Most modern Canon printers support wireless printing. Check your printer’s specifications to confirm compatibility.
* **A Smartphone or Tablet:** An Android or iOS device.
* **A Wireless Network:** Your printer and phone need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (for most methods).
* **Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App (Recommended):** Download and install this app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
**Method 1: Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App**
The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app is Canon’s official mobile printing app, and it’s the recommended method for most users. It offers a wide range of features and settings, making it easy to print various types of content.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Download and Install the App:**
* On your Android device, go to the Google Play Store and search for “Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY.” Download and install the app.
* On your iOS device (iPhone or iPad), go to the App Store and search for “Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY.” Download and install the app.
2. **Connect Your Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network:**
* This step is crucial. Your printer and phone need to be on the same network.
* Refer to your Canon printer’s manual for instructions on connecting it to your Wi-Fi network. The process usually involves using the printer’s control panel to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Some printers support WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) for easier connection.
3. **Launch the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App:**
* Open the app on your smartphone or tablet.
4. **Add Your Printer:**
* The app will usually automatically detect printers on your network. If it doesn’t, you can add your printer manually.
* Tap the “+” button or “Add Printer” option (the exact wording may vary depending on the app version).
* The app will search for available printers on your network. Select your Canon printer from the list.
* If your printer isn’t found, ensure it’s powered on, connected to the Wi-Fi network, and that your phone is also on the same network. You might need to enter your printer’s IP address manually (you can find this in your printer’s network settings).
5. **Select the Document or Photo to Print:**
* Once your printer is added, you’ll see various options on the app’s main screen.
* **Document Print:** Allows you to print PDF files, Word documents, and other document formats.
* **Photo Print:** Allows you to print photos from your phone’s gallery or cloud storage.
* **Smartphone Copy:** Lets you use your phone’s camera to scan a document and print it directly.
* **Cloud Print:** Accesses and prints files from cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and others.
* Tap the option that corresponds to what you want to print.
6. **Choose the File:**
* Navigate to the location of the file you want to print (e.g., your phone’s gallery, Google Drive).
* Select the file.
7. **Adjust Print Settings:**
* Before printing, you can adjust various print settings, such as:
* **Paper Size:** Choose the correct paper size (e.g., A4, Letter, 4×6).
* **Paper Type:** Select the appropriate paper type (e.g., Plain Paper, Glossy Photo Paper).
* **Print Quality:** Choose the print quality (e.g., Standard, High).
* **Number of Copies:** Specify the number of copies you want to print.
* **Color Mode:** Select color or black and white printing.
* **Orientation:** Choose portrait or landscape orientation.
* **Two-Sided Printing:** Enable or disable duplex printing (if your printer supports it).
* These settings are usually found in a “Print Settings” or similar section within the app.
8. **Print:**
* Once you’ve adjusted the settings to your liking, tap the “Print” button.
* The app will send the print job to your printer.
* Your printer will start printing the document or photo.
9. **Troubleshooting:**
* If the printing fails, check the following:
* Ensure your printer is powered on and connected to the Wi-Fi network.
* Make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network.
* Check for any error messages on the printer’s control panel or in the app.
* Ensure your printer has enough paper and ink.
* Restart your printer and phone.
**Method 2: Using Google Cloud Print (for older printers or non-Canon printers)**
Google Cloud Print was a service that allowed you to print from any device to any printer connected to the internet. While Google Cloud Print is no longer directly supported by Google, the functionality remains available through printer manufacturers’ cloud printing services, many of which are based on the same principles. Canon has its own cloud printing solutions that often work similarly. Here’s how it generally works (and how to leverage Canon’s alternatives):
1. **Check Canon’s Cloud Printing Service (Canon PRINT Business/Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY):**
* Canon offers cloud printing services integrated within their apps. Usually, by adding the printer to the app while connected to the same network, it automatically registers the printer to your Canon account, enabling remote printing from other devices logged into the same account, even when they are on a different network.
2. **Register Your Printer with the Service:**
* You might need to register your printer with Canon’s cloud printing service through your Canon account or the printer’s web interface. This usually involves logging into your Canon account on your printer (if it has a screen) or accessing the printer’s settings via a web browser using its IP address.
3. **Add Your Printer to Your Google Account (Less Common Now):**
* In the past, for Google Cloud Print, you would add your printer to your Google account. This step is mostly obsolete, but might be required for some very old Canon printers that haven’t been updated.
4. **Print from Your Phone:**
* When printing from your phone, select the option to print via Canon’s cloud printing service from within the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app or the document/photo app you are using (if it supports cloud printing).
5. **Troubleshooting:**
* If printing fails, ensure your printer is registered with Canon’s cloud printing service and that your phone is connected to the internet. Also, check your Canon account settings to verify the printer is properly linked.
**Method 3: Using Wi-Fi Direct (Ad-Hoc Connection)**
Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect your phone directly to your printer without needing a Wi-Fi network. This is useful when you don’t have a Wi-Fi network available or want a more direct connection.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Enable Wi-Fi Direct on Your Printer:**
* Refer to your Canon printer’s manual for instructions on enabling Wi-Fi Direct. The process usually involves using the printer’s control panel to access the network settings and enable Wi-Fi Direct. The printer will then broadcast its own Wi-Fi network.
2. **Connect Your Phone to the Printer’s Wi-Fi Direct Network:**
* On your Android phone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
* Look for the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network in the list of available networks. It will usually have a name that includes your printer’s model number (e.g., DIRECT-Canon-MG3600 series).
* Select the printer’s network and enter the password (if prompted). The password is usually found on the printer’s control panel or in the printer’s manual.
* On your iPhone, this process can be more involved and might require using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app to establish the connection initially. Look for a Wi-Fi Direct setup option within the app’s settings.
3. **Print Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App:**
* Once your phone is connected to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network, open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app.
* The app should automatically detect the printer. If not, you might need to add it manually by selecting the Wi-Fi Direct connection option.
* Select the document or photo you want to print and adjust the print settings as needed.
* Tap the “Print” button.
4. **Troubleshooting:**
* If you can’t connect to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network, double-check the password and ensure Wi-Fi Direct is enabled on the printer.
* Make sure your phone is not connected to any other Wi-Fi networks while trying to connect to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network.
**Method 4: Using Mopria Print Service (Android)**
Mopria Print Service is a standard printing solution for Android devices that allows you to print to Mopria-certified printers (which includes many Canon printers) without needing to install a specific app for each printer brand.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Install or Enable Mopria Print Service:**
* On most Android devices, Mopria Print Service is pre-installed. If it’s not, you can download it from the Google Play Store.
* Go to Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing.
* Make sure Mopria Print Service is enabled.
2. **Connect Your Printer and Phone to the Same Wi-Fi Network:**
* Ensure both your Canon printer and your Android phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. **Print from Any App:**
* Open the app containing the document or photo you want to print (e.g., Gmail, Google Docs, Gallery).
* Tap the three dots (menu) icon.
* Select “Print.” The exact wording may vary depending on the app.
4. **Select Your Printer:**
* The printing dialog will appear. Tap the dropdown menu at the top that shows “Save as PDF” or a similar option.
* Select your Canon printer from the list of available printers. If your printer isn’t listed, tap “All printers…” to search for it.
5. **Adjust Print Settings:**
* Adjust the print settings as needed (e.g., paper size, color, number of copies).
6. **Print:**
* Tap the “Print” button.
7. **Troubleshooting:**
* If your printer isn’t detected, ensure it’s powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
* Make sure Mopria Print Service is enabled in your Android settings.
* Restart your printer and phone.
**Method 5: Using AirPrint (iOS – iPhone and iPad)**
AirPrint is Apple’s built-in printing technology for iOS devices. It allows you to print directly to AirPrint-compatible printers (which includes many Canon printers) without needing to install any additional apps or drivers.
**Step-by-Step Instructions:**
1. **Connect Your Printer and iPhone/iPad to the Same Wi-Fi Network:**
* Ensure both your Canon printer and your iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. **Print from Any App:**
* Open the app containing the document or photo you want to print (e.g., Mail, Safari, Photos).
* Tap the share icon (usually a square with an arrow pointing upwards).
* Scroll down and tap “Print.”
3. **Select Your Printer:**
* The Printer Options screen will appear. Tap “Select Printer.”
* Choose your Canon printer from the list of available printers.
4. **Adjust Print Settings:**
* Adjust the print settings as needed (e.g., number of copies, paper size, duplex printing).
5. **Print:**
* Tap “Print” in the upper right corner.
6. **Troubleshooting:**
* If your printer isn’t detected, ensure it’s powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad.
* Make sure AirPrint is enabled on your printer (it usually is by default, but check your printer’s settings if you’re having trouble).
* Restart your printer and iOS device.
**Tips for Successful Mobile Printing**
* **Keep Your Printer’s Firmware Up to Date:** Regularly update your printer’s firmware to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
* **Use High-Quality Paper and Ink:** For the best print results, use high-quality paper and ink that are compatible with your Canon printer.
* **Check Print Preview:** Always check the print preview before printing to ensure the document or photo is formatted correctly.
* **Troubleshooting Common Issues:** If you encounter printing problems, refer to your printer’s manual or Canon’s support website for troubleshooting tips.
* **Regularly Clean Your Printer:** Regular cleaning can help prevent paper jams and maintain print quality. Follow the instructions in your printer’s manual.
**Advanced Printing Options**
Many Canon printers offer advanced printing options, such as:
* **Borderless Printing:** Print photos without borders.
* **Poster Printing:** Print large images across multiple sheets of paper.
* **Booklet Printing:** Create booklets from your documents.
* **Custom Paper Sizes:** Define custom paper sizes for specific printing needs.
**Choosing the Right Method**
The best printing method depends on your specific needs and the capabilities of your printer and phone:
* **Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App:** Recommended for most users, especially for Canon printers. Offers a wide range of features and settings.
* **Google Cloud Print (via Canon’s Cloud Print Service):** Useful for printing remotely or from devices that are not on the same Wi-Fi network (though less common now).
* **Wi-Fi Direct:** Ideal when you don’t have a Wi-Fi network available.
* **Mopria Print Service (Android):** A convenient standard printing solution for Android devices.
* **AirPrint (iOS):** The easiest way to print from iPhones and iPads to AirPrint-compatible printers.
**Conclusion**
Printing from your phone to a Canon printer is a convenient and efficient way to handle your printing needs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily connect your phone to your printer and print documents, photos, and other content with ease. Whether you choose to use Canon’s mobile printing app, Google Cloud Print, Wi-Fi Direct, Mopria Print Service, or AirPrint, you’ll find a method that works best for you. Remember to keep your printer’s firmware up to date, use high-quality paper and ink, and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With a little practice, you’ll be printing from your phone like a pro in no time!