How to Connect A Canon Printer to An Android Phone

Android / By

Canon printers have gained a lot of popularity in recent years because of the high-quality prints that they produce. Connecting a Canon printer to your computer has always been an easy task, but what if you want to connect it to your Android phone? This blog post will walk you through different methods to connect your Canon printer to your Android phone and help you enjoy the convenience of wireless printing on your mobile device.

Wireless printing from your Android mobile device has revolutionized the way we print documents and photos. It’s lightweight, cost-effective, and makes printing convenient, which is why connecting your Canon printer to an Android phone is something to consider. This post provides an in-depth guide on how to do it.

Video Tutorial:

What’s Needed

Connecting your Canon printer to an Android phone can be done using wireless connectivity, or you can use a mobile printing app. Here are the things that you need to connect your Canon printer to your Android phone:

  • A Canon printer with wireless connectivity
  • An Android device with the latest operating system
  • A wireless network with an active internet connection
  • The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app installed on your Android device
  • A USB cable (depending on the method you choose)

What Requires Your Focus?

When you’re connecting your Canon printer to your Android device, there are three things that you need to focus on:

  1. The Canon printer should be connected to a wireless network (if you’re not using a USB cable).
  2. The Android device should be connected to the same wireless network as the printer.
  3. The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app should be installed on your Android device.

Different Methods to Connect A Canon Printer to An Android Phone

There are different methods to connect a Canon printer to an Android phone. We’ve listed some of the easiest and most reliable methods below:

Method 1: Via Wireless Connectivity

This is the most popular method to connect your Canon printer to your Android phone. Simply follow the steps below:

  1. Make sure your Canon printer is connected to a wireless network by checking the Wi-Fi icon on the printer’s display panel.
  2. On your Android device, swipe down the notification panel and tap on the ‘Settings’ icon.
  3. Under the ‘Settings’ tab, locate ‘Printing’ and select ‘Canon PRINT’.
  4. The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app will automatically search for and detect the nearby wireless printers.
  5. Select your printer from the detected printers list and follow the app’s prompts to complete the setup.

Pros:

  • Easy and convenient to set up.
  • Doesn’t require a USB cable.

Cons:

  • Requires an active wireless network with a stable internet connection.

Method 2: Via Wi-Fi Direct

If you don’t have access to a wireless network, you can connect your Canon printer to your Android phone via Wi-Fi Direct. Here’s how:

  1. Press and hold the ‘Wi-Fi’ button on your Canon printer until the Wi-Fi light flashes.
  2. Swipe down the notification panel on your Android device and tap on the ‘Settings’ icon.
  3. Under the ‘Settings’ tab, locate ‘Printing’ and select ‘Canon PRINT’.
  4. Tap on ‘Setup’ and choose ‘Connect via Wi-Fi Direct’.
  5. Go back to the Canon printer and press the ‘Wi-Fi’ button once more.
  6. Your Android device will automatically detect the printer, and you’ll be prompted to enter the password to connect.
  7. Enter the password and tap ‘OK’ to connect to the Canon printer.

Pros:

  • You don’t need to connect to a wireless network.
  • Easy and quick to set up.

Cons:

  • Wi-Fi Direct is only available on some Canon printers.
  • The range is limited to the Wi-Fi Direct-enabled device(s).

Method 3: Via USB Cable

If you don’t have a wireless network, and your printer doesn’t support Wi-Fi Direct, you can connect your Canon printer to your Android phone via a USB cable. Here’s how:

  1. Connect your Canon printer to your Android device using a USB cable.
  2. Download the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app on your Android device from the Google Play Store.
  3. Run the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app and follow the prompts to complete the setup.
  4. Select the ‘USB Connection’ option when the app detects your printer.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t require a wireless network.
  • Easy and quick to set up.

Cons:

  • Requires a USB cable, which can be inconvenient to carry around.
  • Not ideal for mobile printing, as the device needs to be connected to the printer via USB.

Method 4: Via Google Cloud Print

Google Cloud Print is another option to connect your Canon printer to your Android phone. Here’s how:

  1. Confirm that your Canon printer is registered with Google Cloud Print by visiting http://www.google.com/cloudprint.
  2. Install the Cloud Print app on your Android device from the Google Play Store.
  3. Launch the Cloud Print app, sign in with your Google account, and allow the app to access your printer.
  4. Select your Canon printer and print your document or photo directly from your Android device.

Pros:

  • No need for a wireless network.
  • You can print from anywhere with an internet connection.

Cons:

  • Requires an active Google account.
  • Slow printing speeds compared to other methods.

Method 5: Via AirPrint

Via AirPrint is another option to connect your Canon printer to your Android phone. Here’s how:

  1. Make sure that your Canon printer is AirPrint-compatible.
  2. Connect your Canon printer and Android phone to the same Wi-Fi network.
  3. Download an AirPrint app to your Android device from the Google Play Store.
  4. Open the app and select your Canon printer from the list of available printers.
  5. Select the document or photo to print and hit the ‘Print’ button.

Pros:

  • No need for cables or wires.
  • Easy to set up and use.

Cons:

  • The number of AirPrint-compatible printers is limited.

Why Can’t I Connect My Canon Printer to My Android Phone?

Many factors can prevent your Canon printer from connecting to your Android device. Some of these reasons may include:

  1. Your printer isn’t connected to a wireless network.
  2. Your Android device isn’t connected to the same wireless network as your printer.
  3. The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app is not installed or updated on your Android phone.
  4. The Wi-Fi Direct option is not enabled on your Canon printer.
  5. There is a software conflict between your Android device and your Canon printer.

Fortunately, there are ways to fix these issues.

  1. Make sure your printer is connected to a wireless network.
  2. Check that both devices are connected to the same network.
  3. Install or update the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app.
  4. Enable the Wi-Fi Direct option on your printer.
  5. Reset your printer or contact customer support.

Implications and Recommendations

Here are some recommendations when you’re connecting your Canon printer to your Android phone:

  1. Make sure your Canon printer is always connected to the internet and is updated to the latest firmware.
  2. Maintain a stable wireless network connection between the printer and Android device.
  3. Always use the recommended Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app for mobile printing.
  4. Update the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app regularly to avoid compatibility issues.
  5. Always follow the printer manufacturer’s instructions on how to connect your printer to your Android device.

5 FAQs about Connecting A Canon Printer to An Android Phone

Q1: How do I connect my Canon printer to my Android device without Wi-Fi?

A: You can connect your Canon printer to your Android device using a USB cable or Wi-Fi Direct.

Q2: Can I connect multiple Android devices to my Canon printer?

A: Yes, you can connect multiple Android devices to your Canon printer as long as they’re connected to the same wireless network or have Wi-Fi Direct enabled.

Q3: Can I print photos and documents using AirPrint on my Canon printer?

A: Yes, you can print photos and documents using AirPrint on your Canon printer if it’s AirPrint compatible.

Q4: What operating system is required for connecting my Canon printer to my Android phone?

A: To connect your Canon printer to your Android phone, you need the latest Android operating system installed on your device.

Q5: Can I connect my Canon printer to my Android phone using Bluetooth?

A: No, you can’t connect your Canon printer to your Android phone using Bluetooth.

Final Words

Connecting your Canon printer to your Android phone is a simple and easy task. You have different options to choose from, such as wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi Direct, USB connection, Google Cloud Print, and AirPrint. Once you connect your Canon printer to your Android phone, you can enjoy the benefits of mobile printing and produce high-quality prints anytime, anywhere.