How to Print Text from Android

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parts

1Setting Up Google Cloud Print

2Printing Documents and Pictures

3Printing Text Messages (SMS)

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Tips and Warnings

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If you want to have a printed copy of your SMS or email, you don’t need to copy it to file, open it on a computer and print it from there. You can just print those files straight from your Android device. If you're using Android KitKat (4.4) or later, the printing process is seamless with the integration of Google Cloud Print.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting Up Google Cloud Print

1. 
   1
   Install a printer on your home network or to a computer on your network. Using the Google Cloud Print service is the primary way to print from any Android device. Any network printer can be configured for Google Cloud Printing, even if the printer doesn't say anything about connecting to Google Cloud Print.

   • If the printer is Cloud Ready, then it doesn't need to be connected to a computer in order to add it to your Google Cloud Printer list. Install the printer on your network and then follow the documentation for the printer to connect it to Google Cloud Print.
2. 
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   Open Google Chrome on a computer that can connect to the printer. You can use Chrome to add your printer to your Google Cloud Print account.
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3. 
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   Click the Menu button (☰) and select "Settings". This will open the Settings tab.
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   Click the "Show advanced settings" link at the bottom of the page.
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   Click .Manage in the Google Cloud Print section. You'll be asked to sign in with your Google account if you aren't already.
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   Click .Add printers to add a printer connected to your computer or network. If you have a Cloud Ready printer, it should be listed here automatically.
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   Check the box next to each printer you want to add. You can add multiple printers at once if you have more than one installed. Click Add printer(s) to confirm.
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   Leave the computer on with Chrome open. If you added a printer that is not Cloud Ready, even if it's a network printer, the computer will need to be turned on and logged in in order for the printer to appear. Chrome will need to be running in the background as well. This is because Google Cloud Print sends the print job through the Chrome browser on your computer.

   • If the printer is Cloud Ready, it simply needs to be powered on and connected to the network in order to print to it. No computer needs to be turned on.
   • To leave Chrome running in the background when you close it, click the Chrome menu button (☰) and select "Settings". Click the "Show advanced settings" link and scroll down to the "System" section. Check the "Continue running..." box.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Printing Documents and Pictures

1. 
   1
   Download and install the Google Cloud Print app on your Android device. You can download it from the Google Play Store.

   • The app works as a plugin for Android KitKat (4.4) and newer, or as a stand-alone app for older versions.
2. 
   2
   Open the file that you want to print. You can print directly from most apps that you use to open files. For example, if you wanted to print a document from Google Drive, open it in the Google Drive app. If you want to print a photo, open it in your Photos or Gallery app.

   • Not all apps support printing. If the app you're using doesn't have a Print option, click here.
3. 
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   Tap the Share button and select "Cloud Print". The location of this button varies, but it usually looks like two lines connected at a point.

   • On many Google apps, you can access the Print function by tapping the ⋮ button on your open file and selecting "Print" from the menu. In Drive, you will need to select "Share & export" first.
4. 
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   Select your printer. Tap the drop-down menu to see a list of all of your Google Cloud Print printers.
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   Adjust your printing options. Cloud Printing doesn't offer many printing options, but you can change a few settings. Depending on the app, you may be able to change the orientation, paper size, range, and choose between color or black and white.
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   Tap "Print" to send the file to your printer. Since the file is sent over the internet (even on a local network), it may take a few moments for the printer to start printing.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Printing Text Messages (SMS)

1. 
   1
   Open the text message that you want to print. You may be able to print from your texting app, but most don't have the print function built-in.

   • If your texting app has a Share button, you may be able to select "Cloud Print".
2. 
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   Copy the text that you want to print. You can usually press and hold a text message and select "Copy" from the menu that appears. You may have to manually select the text and then tap the "Copy" button at the top of the screen.
3. 
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   Paste the text in an app that supports printing. Google Drive supports printing, so you can paste your text into a new Drive document and then print. You may also be able to use your Notes app or other text editor.

   • You can paste the copied text by pressing and holding in the open document and selecting "Paste" from the menu.
4. 
   4
   Print the pasted text. Once you've pasted the text, you can print it from the Share menu or by tapping the ⋮ button.
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Tips

• Many printer manufacturers offer apps that allow you to connect directly to your printer. This may be easier for printing on a local network, but you usually can't print from anywhere and may have to open your file in the printing app first.
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