Scan and print anything from your phone

This updated post, originally published on March 14, 2017, explores the surprisingly relevant roles of scanning and printing in our smartphone-centric world. Forget flashy AR apps – sometimes you just need to get something on paper or digitally archived. This guide shows you how to seamlessly manage these tasks directly from your iPhone or Android device, eliminating the need for a laptop.

Mobile Scanning: Beyond the Camera App

While your phone's camera can technically scan, dedicated apps offer superior results and features. For digitizing photos, Google PhotoScan (Android and iOS) excels. For documents, Dropbox (Android and iOS) is a top contender. Simply tap "Create" (iOS) or the " " button (Android), then "Scan document." Multiple pages can be combined into a single PDF, automatically saved to your Dropbox.

Google Drive's Android app also includes a document scanner (tap " ", then "Scan"). Similar to Dropbox, multi-page PDFs are easily created.

iPhone users can leverage the built-in Files app (tap the three dots, then "Scan Documents") or the Notes app (camera icon, then "Scan Documents").

Microsoft Lens (Android and iOS) provides another robust option, seamlessly integrating with OneDrive for storage and cross-device access.

Most of these apps offer Optical Character Recognition (OCR), enabling searchable text within scanned documents. Note that Dropbox's OCR requires a paid subscription.

Mobile Printing: Effortless Connectivity

Printing from your phone is surprisingly straightforward, despite the sunsetting of Google Cloud Print. Many modern printers offer native iOS and Android support. If your printer is on your Wi-Fi network, locate the file you need to print, tap the share icon (Android: "<"; iOS: upward-pointing arrow in a box), and select "Print."

iPhones require AirPrint-compatible printers (check Apple's list for compatibility, though accuracy may vary). Android devices generally have broader compatibility. If direct printing fails, many manufacturers (HP ePrint, Canon Print) provide dedicated apps for seamless mobile printing. Third-party apps are largely redundant due to built-in Android and iOS functionality.

Printing Without a Printer: Outsourcing Your Needs

Lacking a home printer? Several services handle document and photo printing and delivery. For high-quality photo prints, Shutterfly, FreePrints, and Snapfish offer convenient mobile ordering, often including free prints monthly. FedEx Mobile Office and the UPS Store website allow document uploads for delivery. Staples, local print shops, and even libraries might offer additional options.

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