To print from your phone to your HP printer, the fastest and most reliable method is using the HP Smart app while both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Before you start: prerequisites for printing from my phone to my HP printer
Before you can print from your phone to your HP printer, you need to prepare both devices. Start by turning on Wi-Fi on your mobile device and connecting it to your home network. Place the printer and your phone near the Wi‑Fi router during setup. Turn on Bluetooth so the HP app can detect the printer, and enable location services when prompted to allow the app to find the printer. Make sure your mobile device’s operating system is up to date. A proper wireless printer setup and mobile printing experience begins with these simple steps.
Method 1: print using the HP Smart app
The HP Smart app is the primary and recommended way to print from your phone to an HP printer. It gives you full control over documents and photos from your device, cloud storage, or social media. HP recommends using the HP app (or HP Smart app) for remote printer management, setup, and connection guidance. The HP app replaces HP Smart, but if the HP app is not available for your device, HP Smart provides full-feature printer support.
- Download and install the HP Smart app from 123.hp.com, the Google Play Store, or the Apple App Store.
- Open the app and tap “Add Printer” or the plus sign icon (+). The app will detect your printer using Bluetooth or a temporary direct Wi‑Fi connection and transfer your network details.
- Once your printer appears, select it and follow any on‑screen instructions to complete the setup.
- To print, open the app and choose “Print Photos” or “Print Documents.” Select the file you want, from your device, social media, or cloud storage, then adjust print settings and tap the Print icon.
On Android devices, the HP Smart app supports JPEG, PNG, and PDF files. On Apple iOS devices, it also supports Microsoft Office Suite documents.
Method 2: print without a router using Wi‑Fi Direct
HP Wi‑Fi Direct lets you print directly from your phone to your HP printer without needing a router or internet connection. This is ideal when you are away from your home network or if your Wi‑Fi is down.
- Enable Wi‑Fi Direct on your printer. The exact steps vary by model, but you can usually find it in the printer’s network or wireless settings menu.
- Find the printer’s Wi‑Fi Direct name and password. These are typically shown on the printer’s control panel or can be printed in a network report.
- On your phone, open Wi‑Fi settings and connect to the printer’s Wi‑Fi Direct network using the password you found.
- Open the document or photo you want to print, tap the print option, select your Wi‑Fi Direct printer, and print.
Wi‑Fi Direct works with iPhone, iPad, and Android devices using the HP Smart app or the built‑in print solution for Android. HP Wireless Direct can be used with iPhone, iPad, or iTouch using Apple AirPrint or the HP ePrint App. HP Wireless Direct can be used with Android mobile devices using the HP ePrint App or HP's built-in print solution for Android (Jelly Bean and newer).
Method 3: print from an Android phone with Mopria or HP Print Service
If you prefer using your phone’s default print menu, Mopria Print Service and the HP Print Service Plugin provide seamless printing without opening a separate app.
Mopria Print Service is built into Android 8.0 and newer devices as the Default Print Service. For Android 5.0 and newer, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. Most HP printers released after 2014 support Mopria. To use it, ensure your printer and phone are on the same Wi‑Fi network or connected via Wi‑Fi Direct, open the item you want to print, tap the Menu icon, then “Print,” select your printer, adjust settings, and tap Print.
HP Print Service Plugin is available from the Google Play Store for Android devices. Install it, then make sure your Android device and printer are on the same Wi‑Fi network. When you choose “Print” from any app, the plugin will detect your HP printer automatically.
How to print remotely with HP Print Anywhere
Print Anywhere is a remote printing service that sends print jobs over the internet, allowing you to print from anywhere. To use it, your printer must be set up in the HP app with an HP account. The HP app allows you to remotely use and manage your printer over the internet from anywhere. Log in to your HP account at the HP Smart website, click “Solutions,” and then “Enable Print Anywhere.” If the option is not visible, your printer does not support this feature. Once enabled, you can send documents to your printer from anywhere. An optional feature called Private Pickup holds jobs for later release when you are near the printer, open the HP app near the printer within 72 hours, wait 45 seconds for the app to connect, click your printer, then “Private Pickup files available,” select the files, and click “Send to Printer.”
Troubleshooting: why won't my phone find my HP printer?
If your phone cannot detect your HP printer, try these solutions:
- Ensure both your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi‑Fi network.
- Restart your router, printer, and phone.
- Temporarily disable any VPN and check firewall settings to allow the HP app to connect on private networks.
- On your printer, run the Wireless Setup Wizard again to confirm the connection.
- If network discovery is restricted, add the printer using its IP address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print from my phone if my HP printer does not have Wi‑Fi?
If your HP printer lacks Wi‑Fi, you cannot use the wireless methods described above. Some older models may support a USB‑OTG connection, but the HP Smart app and Wi‑Fi Direct require a wireless‑capable printer.
What happened to HP ePrint?
HP ePrint, which let you email documents to a printer’s unique address, was discontinued as of January 31, 2023. HP ePrint on models released after the fall of 2020 has been discontinued, with the HP Smart app serving as the alternative for remote and cloud printing. For remote and cloud printing, HP now directs users to the HP Smart app and the Print Anywhere feature. For HP ePrint, your Android device needs an internet connection but does not need to be on the same network as the printer. To enable HP ePrint on printers with touch screen displays, touch or press the HP ePrint button or icon, tap 'Setup,' and follow on-screen instructions to turn on Web Services. For printers with text-based displays, navigate to 'Web Services Setup,' 'Network Setup,' or 'Wireless Settings,' and follow on-screen instructions to turn on Web Services.
Do I need an HP account to print from my phone?
For local printing with the HP Smart app, you do not need an account. However, an HP account is required to use remote features like Print Anywhere and to manage printer settings from the cloud.
Can I print from an iPhone using AirPrint?
Yes, AirPrint is supported on HP printers connected to a wireless network. AirPrint is not available over a USB connection. Simply select the Print option from any app that supports AirPrint, choose your HP printer, and print.
Why does the HP Smart app ask for location and Bluetooth permissions?
The app uses Bluetooth and location services during setup to detect nearby HP printers and transfer Wi‑Fi network details. These permissions are only needed for the initial connection and can be adjusted afterward.
For the wider topic, see wireless printer setup.
