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Setup

Phone, Scanning, Duplex, and Cloud Printing Setup

Beyond the first connection, a few setup tasks make a printer far more useful: printing from phones, routing scans to the right place, enabling two-sided printing, and choosing a current cloud-printing approach. This guide covers those as ordered setup steps.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Safe first checks

  1. 1Read and note the exact message on the printer display or in the print queue.
  2. 2Print the printer's own test or configuration page to help distinguish a device problem from a computer problem.
  3. 3Record custom settings before removing a printer or reinstalling a driver; ask IT first on managed work devices.
  4. 4Stop using the printer if there is excessive heat, smoke, a burning smell, sparks, or leaks. Disconnect power only if safe; never touch wet or damaged electrical parts.

Printing from iPhone or iPad

Setting up an iPhone or iPad to print, which uses AirPrint when the printer supports it — no app needed for basic printing.

Possible causes

  • •Prerequisite: an AirPrint-capable printer
  • •Prerequisite: the device and printer on the same Wi-Fi
  • •Prerequisite: the printer awake and online
  • •Prerequisite: a network that allows device discovery

What to check

  1. 1.Connect the iPhone/iPad and printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. 2.Open the document or photo, tap Share, then Print.
  3. 3.Select your printer and set options such as copies and paper size.
  4. 4.Tap Print and confirm it starts.

When to stop: if the printer does not support AirPrint, a manufacturer app may be needed; verify the model's support. On guest networks that block discovery, the printer may not appear.

Printing from Android

Setting up Android to print through its print service (the default service or Mopria), which handles most network printers without a manufacturer app.

Possible causes

  • •Prerequisite: a print service enabled on the device
  • •Prerequisite: a printer supporting standard mobile printing
  • •Prerequisite: the device and printer on the same Wi-Fi
  • •Prerequisite: the printer awake and online

What to check

  1. 1.Enable the default print service or Mopria in Android settings.
  2. 2.Connect the phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
  3. 3.Open a document, choose Print, and select your printer.
  4. 4.Set options and print; install a manufacturer app only if the standard service cannot find the printer.

When to stop: Android menus vary by device and version. If no print service detects the printer, confirm the model supports standard mobile printing before relying on it.

Setting up scanning to computer, email, or cloud

Configuring where scans go: to a computer, to an email address, or to a cloud/network destination. Each path needs its destination details set correctly.

Possible causes

  • •Prerequisite: scanning software or OS scan tools for scan-to-computer
  • •Prerequisite: email server details for scan-to-email
  • •Prerequisite: a reachable folder and permissions for scan-to-folder
  • •Prerequisite: the printer online and on the same network

What to check

  1. 1.For scan-to-computer, use the OS scan utility or set the computer as a destination on the printer.
  2. 2.For scan-to-email, enter the email server details and a valid sender/recipient.
  3. 3.For scan-to-folder, enter the exact folder path and credentials with write permission.
  4. 4.Run a test scan to each destination you set up.

When to stop: email and folder destinations often rely on server and account settings managed by IT. If a destination will not accept scans, involve IT rather than loosening security.

Automatic and manual double-sided printing

Setting up two-sided (duplex) printing. Printers with a duplex unit can do it automatically; others require manually reinserting pages.

Possible causes

  • •Prerequisite: a duplex unit for automatic two-sided printing
  • •Prerequisite: the duplex option enabled in driver properties
  • •Prerequisite: paper suitable for the duplex path
  • •Prerequisite: an app that exposes the duplex option (for automatic)

What to check

  1. 1.In driver properties, confirm the duplex unit is installed/enabled.
  2. 2.In the print dialog, choose two-sided and the correct binding edge.
  3. 3.For printers without a duplex unit, use manual duplex and follow the on-screen reinsertion prompt.
  4. 4.Test with a short document first to confirm orientation.

When to stop: without a duplex unit, automatic two-sided printing is not possible; use manual duplex. Avoid running heavy card through automatic duplex (see the paper-handling guide).

Alternatives after Google Cloud Print retirement

Choosing a current way to print remotely or from various devices now that Google Cloud Print no longer exists. Google Cloud Print was retired on December 31, 2020.

Possible causes

  • •Prerequisite: understanding Google Cloud Print is discontinued
  • •Prerequisite: knowing your devices' built-in printing options
  • •Prerequisite: the printer and devices on the same network for local printing
  • •Prerequisite: a currently supported method for any remote needs

What to check

  1. 1.For local printing, use your device's built-in printing (AirPrint, Android print service, or OS Add a printer) on the same network.
  2. 2.For Chromebooks, add the printer in Chrome OS printer settings.
  3. 3.For any remote printing, check which current, supported options your printer offers.
  4. 4.Remove reliance on the retired Google Cloud Print entirely.

When to stop: Google Cloud Print cannot be used; it was retired on December 31, 2020. Use a currently supported method instead rather than seeking the old service.

Preventive habits

  • Keep devices and the printer on the same Wi-Fi for mobile printing.
  • Enable the correct print service on Android.
  • Test each scan destination after setting it up.
  • Enable the duplex unit in driver properties for automatic two-sided printing.
  • Use current, supported printing methods rather than retired services.

Frequently asked questions

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