Print From Android to HP Printer With OTG Cable: Step-by-Step

You can print from Android to an HP printer with an OTG cable, but this method works only for Android devices and not for iPhones. Your Android phone must run Android 4.0 (KitKat) or later and support USB OTG, and you need the HP Print Service Plugin installed from Google Play to make the connection work.

Can you print from Android to an HP printer with an OTG cable?

Yes, printing from an Android phone to an HP printer using a USB OTG cable is supported, but only for Android devices. The phone must be running Android 4.0 (KitKat) or later and have USB On-The-Go (OTG) support. The essential software required is the HP Print Service Plugin, which you install from Google Play. This method does not work for iPhones or iPads.

Which HP printers support USB OTG printing?

HP states that most HP printers support printing from a USB OTG connection. HP's Google Play listing says the HP Print Service Plugin can find printers connected by USB OTG cable. The HP Print Service Plugin can print to supported HP printer families including OfficeJet, LaserJet, DesignJet, Photosmart, DeskJet, and Envy. However, some models are not supported for USB OTG printing, and if your printer is not supported, there is no OTG workaround using the HP Print Service Plugin. HP support community replies note that unsupported models cannot be used with the HP Print Service Plugin for OTG printing. HP support community replies say some printers are not supported for USB OTG printing, and if a printer is not supported there is no OTG method with the HP Print Service Plugin.

What you need to print with an OTG cable

To print from your Android phone to an HP printer using an OTG cable, you need four verified requirements:

An Android device running Android 4.0 (KitKat) or later with USB OTG support.
An HP printer that supports USB OTG printing.
A standard USB cable plus a USB OTG adapter (or a combined OTG cable).
The HP Print Service Plugin installed from Google Play.

Having these items ready means you can skip a wireless printer setup and print directly without a network.

How to connect your Android phone to the HP printer

Follow this connection sequence from HP documentation:

Turn on the printer.
Connect one end of a USB cable to the USB port on the rear of the printer.
Connect the other end of that USB cable to the USB port on the OTG adapter.
Plug the micro-USB connector of the OTG adapter into the Android device.
When the HP Print Service Plugin window appears, tap OK to activate it.

Your phone should now recognize the printer and be ready to print. If you prefer not to use a cable, you can instead set up a HP wireless printer and print over Wi-Fi.

How to print from your Android device

Once connected, printing is straightforward. Open the document or photo you want to print in a supported app. HP community guidance says to open the file, tap the Share icon or choose the print option in the app, select HP Print Service Plugin or your printer, then follow the prompts to print. The plugin handles the rest, sending your file directly to the HP printer over the USB OTG connection.

What about iPhone and iPad?

HP does not support USB OTG printing from Apple devices. HP’s documented position is that printing with a USB OTG cable is not supported from an iPhone or iPad. Instead, HP points iPhone and iPad users to AirPrint, which requires the Apple device and the HP printer to be on the same Wi-Fi network. HP support instead points iPhone and iPad users to AirPrint over the same Wi‑Fi network. If you need to print from an iPhone, you must use AirPrint or another wireless method, not an OTG cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special OTG cable for my HP printer?

You need a standard USB OTG adapter that matches your phone’s charging port (micro-USB or USB-C) and a regular USB cable to connect the printer to the adapter. No special HP-branded OTG cable is required.

Can I print photos from my gallery using the OTG method?

Yes, as long as your gallery app supports the print option or share function. Open the photo, tap share or print, select the HP Print Service Plugin, and proceed.

What if my printer is not listed in the HP Print Service Plugin?

If your printer does not appear, it likely does not support USB OTG printing.

Will printing over OTG drain my phone battery faster?

Yes, the OTG connection draws power from your phone to operate the adapter and communicate with the printer. Printing large documents may drain the battery more quickly than wireless methods.