Google Cloud Print, what it is, how it works and compatible printers

Google Cloud Print, what it is, how it works and compatible printers

Google makes available to all users certain applications pre-installed on mobiles with Android system. Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail, for example, are applications that millions of people use every day and are already part of our daily lives. However, there are others that, despite having them installed, we do not know what their function or purpose is. This is the case of Google Cloud Print that will allow you to make copies of documents from your computer or mobile.

What is Google Cloud Print

As we indicated, Google Cloud Print is a tool created by Google to print documents on a printer from the Android terminal itself. And not only mobile phones, but also tablets, chromebooks or even your personal computer through the Google Chrome browser. You can even, with this service, send print copies to your office (or home) without being physically there . You connect Google Cloud Print, send the order that you want to print a document that you have in the cloud and voila, you will automatically have it in the tray of your printer.

google cloud print

How Google Cloud Print works

The first thing you have to know is that your printer must have a WiFi connection to use Google Cloud Print. Once detected that you have a wireless WiFi connection, download Google Cloud Print on your Android phone. But let's go in parts and go back to the printer.

Connect your printer to your office or home WiFi network. It must be the same WiFi network on both computers , computer and printer. Then, turn on the computer and make sure you are connected under the same WiFi network.

printer_animation

You must then make sure that your printer is compatible with the Google Cloud Print service. These are the brands that Google Cloud Print should be able to run smoothly on.

  • Brother
  • Canyon
  • Dell
  • Develop
  • Epson
  • Fuji Xerox
  • HP
  • Kodak
  • Kodak Verite
  • Konica minolta
  • Kyocera
  • LG
  • Lexmark
  • OKI
  • Olivetti
  • Pantum
  • Ricoh
  • Samsung
  • Sharp
  • TA
  • Toshiba
  • Xerox
  • e-STUDIO5518A v2

If your brand appears in the list but is unable to connect to the Google Cloud printing service, go to this page and make sure to verify that your model appears on it.

If your printer model is not accompanied by 'v2' you must do the following to connect it:

Go to the compatible printers page and, within your brand's page, click on its help page. Then you must follow the steps of the manufacturer of the brand to connect it correctly.

Google Cloud Print, what it is, how it works and compatible printers 1

If your printer model appears next to the code (v2):

  • On your computer, open Google Chrome
  • Write, without the quotes, 'chrome: // devices'
  • In 'New devices' you must find your printer, which will be connected to the same WiFi network as your computer.
  • Next to the name of your printer, click on 'Manage'
  • In 'Confirm registration', click on 'Register'.
  • Now go to your printer. On the screen, follow the steps to complete the registration of your printer. Click on 'Register' or 'accept'.
  • To see if you have successfully connected, go to google.com/cloudprint and click on 'Printers'.

google cloud print 03

If your model does not appear on supported printers:

  • On your computer, open Google Chrome
  • Write, without the quotes, 'chrome: // devices'
  • On the 'chrome: // devices' screen, click on 'Add printers', in the 'Printers to register' section, and select yours.
  • To see if your printer has been connected correctly, you must click on 'Manage printers'

google cloud print 02

Most common mistakes when setting up Google Cloud Print

If you are unable to properly synchronize your printer to use the Google Cloud Print service, you should check if you are using the latest available version of Google Chrome. To do this, look at the three-point menu that we have in the upper right part of the browser screen. If you have a pending update, the menu will adopt a color according to the time that the update has been available for download: green, for 2 days; orange, available for 4 days; and red if the update has been waiting for a week to be installed. You will only have to click on 'Update Chrome' when entering the three-point menu. If this legend does not appear, you are using the latest version available. Finish by restarting your browser and then trying to sync your printer again.

If you are still unable to connect your printer with Google Cloud Print, you should contact the manufacturer of your printer or take a look at its instruction manual.

How to install Google Cloud Print on Android

Next, we are going to explain how to get Google Cloud Print on your Android mobile and how to configure your printer so that you can print from the comfort of your phone. The application is free, without advertising or purchases inside, and the size of its installation file may vary depending on the device on which it is downloaded. Once downloaded, you must enter your phone's settings and locate the 'Printing' section.

To print from an Android device to your printer through Google Cloud Print you must do the following.

google cloud print android

If your Android version is 4.4 and later, you must open the corresponding page that you want to print (a page or, for example, a photo located in Google Photos) and select the three-point menu. You should find the option to 'print' accompanied by the icon of a printer. If it is Chrome, in the menu choose 'Share' and then 'Print'.

If your Android version is 4.3 or earlier , in the menu of the page or application you must select the classic share icon ( Compartir) and then select Google Cloud Print.

Google Cloud Print Compatible Printers

Thanks to this link we can see which are the printers compatible with the Android Google Cloud Print printing system. If you can't find your model, don't hesitate to contact the manufacturer to verify it.