How to print a PDF from your Android phone

To print a PDF from Android, open the file, choose Print from the app's menu or share options, pick your printer, check the pages and paper size, and tap the print button. Your phone and printer usually need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If the printer does not appear, the missing piece is almost always a print service for that printer.

How Android printing works

Android has a built-in print system. Apps hand the document to it, and a print service passes it to the printer. A print service is a small component that knows how to talk to particular printers. Many phones include a default service that works with lots of modern network printers, and printer makers offer their own print service apps for extra models and features.

You will also see "Save as PDF" in the printer list. It does not print anything; it makes a new PDF of what you would have printed. That is handy for turning a web page or an email into a PDF.

How to print a PDF from Android, step by step

1. Make sure the printer is switched on and connected to the same Wi-Fi as your phone.
2. Open the PDF in an app that can print.
3. Tap the menu or share icon and choose Print.
4. At the top of the print screen, tap the printer name and pick your printer from the list.
5. Set the number of copies and the paper size, such as A4 or Letter.
6. Choose which pages to print, if you do not need all of them.
7. Choose colour or black and white, and single or double-sided, if your printer supports it.
8. Tap the print button.
9. Swipe down your notifications to see the print job's progress.

What to do if your printer does not show up

This is the most common problem. Work through these checks:

• Same network. Your phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi. Guest networks and mobile data will not see the printer.
• Printer awake. Some printers sleep and drop off the network. Press a button on it to wake it.
• Print service installed and on. On most phones, open Settings and search for "printing" to see your print services. Turn on the default service, or install your printer maker's service from the Play Store.
• Wi-Fi Direct. Some printers can connect directly to your phone without a router. Check the printer's manual for how to turn it on.
• Restart both. Turning the printer and the phone's Wi-Fi off and on often makes the printer appear.

Getting the size right

PDF pages and paper sizes do not always match. A Letter-size document printed on A4 paper, or the other way round, can come out with odd margins or clipped edges. In the print settings, choose the paper loaded in the printer. If edges still get cut off, look for a scale-to-fit option. For a permanent fix before sending a file to someone else's printer, see how to resize PDF pages to A4 or Letter.

Printing only part of a document

You rarely need every page. Use the page range option to print, for example, pages 2 to 4. If you print the same few pages often, save them as their own PDF. See how to reorder, rotate or delete PDF pages.

Why does my printout look different from the screen?

• Comments and notes may not print. Sticky note text often stays hidden, while highlights usually print.
• Form entries may not print in some apps. Flattening the file first locks them into the page. See what flattening a PDF means.
• Colours look darker or duller on paper than on a bright screen.
• Thin lines and small text can blur on budget printers. Print at a higher quality setting if offered.

Printing without your own printer

If you do not have a printer, save the PDF to your phone and take it to a print shop, library or office. Many print shops accept files by email, a USB stick or a cable. Bring the PDF rather than a Word file, so the layout does not change on their computer. For private documents, delete the file from any shared computer once printed.

Can I print a password-protected PDF?

Usually, once you open it with the password. Some PDFs also block printing through a permissions setting. If you are the owner and need to print, you can remove that restriction. See how to remove a password from a PDF you own.

Printing PDFs with PDF Burrow

PDF Burrow has a Print PDF tool that sends a PDF to a printer, or to "Save as PDF", straight from the app. It opens Android's standard print screen, so any printer your phone already supports will appear there. The file is prepared on your phone.

Frequently asked questions

Can I print from Android to a USB printer?

Some phones support USB printing with an adapter cable and a compatible printer, but Wi-Fi printing is far more common and easier to set up.

Why is my print job stuck?

Check the notification for errors such as no paper or no ink. If nothing helps, cancel the job, restart the printer and try again.

Do I need an app from the printer maker?

Not always. Many printers work with Android's default print service. A maker's print service can add support for older models or extra settings.

Can I print in black and white to save ink?

Yes, if your printer supports it. Look for a colour or black and white option in the print settings before tapping print.