Not sure what some of the terms mean?
We have to use technical terms and trade names in this guide to explain how to print from your phone. But we explain all unusual language at the end in our What does it mean? section.
Written by Advicenow
This guide will explain how to print documents directly from your phone through Wi-Fi printing, a printer’s App, Bluetooth and USB. You might want to do this because you have information on your phone that you want to use as evidence, for example, when appealing a benefits decision or in a court case.
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Introduction
You may need to print out evidence if you are going to court or tribunal for things such as a PIP appeal or family problems. Here are some of our other resources:
- PIP Mandatory Reconsideration Request Letter Tool
- DLA Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Tool
- Work Capability Assessment Mandatory Reconsideration Tool
- Work Capability Assessment Tribunal Submission Tool
- Going to family court - such as divorce, financial orders, child arrangements
- Going to a tribunal - such as PIP, DLA and WCA appeals and benefit sanctions
- Going to civil court - understanding the civil court process for things such as breach of contract, personal injury and housing claims.
When you need to go to court or tribunal, you may have evidence on your phone that you need to print out. If you do not know how to print from your phone, this guide will explain the different ways you can.
If you do not have access to a printer yourself, go to your local library. If you do not have a nearby library you could also try print and copy shops, newsagents, or shops like Ryman or Staples. You could also check with family and friends to see if they have a printer that you can use.
If you find a family member or a friend with a printer, it may be easier to send the document to them as an attachment in an email so they can print it. If do not know how to do this, see Email to a computer.
If you will be printing the document yourself, whether it is your printer or someone else’s computer such as a friend’s or the library’s, follow the relevant steps for your phone brand in the sections below.
Printing from your phone is possible from most smartphones.
Most modern printers have Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, or require you to download a printer app to your phone. This allows you to send a document from your phone to a printer wirelessly. If your printer has none of these features, you will need to connect your phone to the printer using a USB cable. This guide explains the steps for each of these ways.
October 2022
Android
Most smartphones use Android, these will be the phones that use the Google Play Store.
Connecting to the printer
Make sure that the relevant wireless feature (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) is turned on both your phone and the printer.
If you are using Wi-Fi
Check that your phone and the printer are connected to the same WiFi.
If you are using Bluetooth
You need to pair your phone with the printer.
- Turn on the bluetooth on your phone and printer
- Go to Settings > Connected devices > Pair new devices.
- Tap your printer. You should now be paired.
If you are using your Printer’s App
- Settings > Connected Devices > Printing > Default Printing Service.
- Tap ‘Add service’. The Google Play store will automatically open.
- Find the name of your printer’s app.
- Install it.
- Return to the ‘Default Printing Service' page and you should find the printer’s app on the list.
Please note that your printer’s app may have additional steps.
If you are using a USB cable
- Check if your printer has a USB port.
- If it does, you can use your charger cable to connect to the laptop.
- If it does not, then you need a specific cord that should have came with your printer. You will also likely need an OTG USB which will allow you to connect your phone to the chord. Place the OTG USB adapter on the USB part of the cord.
- Turn on your printer and connect the USB to the USB port and the other end to your phone.
- When a message pops up that a device has been connected, tap ‘OK’.
Printing the file
- Open the file you would like to print.
- Tap the menu button. It looks like
or 
. - Tap “Print”.
- Tap the drop-down arrow. It's located near the top of your screen.
- Tap the printer you would like to print from. If you cannot see your printer on the list, and you have an Android 8 or higher, you may need to turn on ‘Default Printing Service’. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Printing > Default Print Service. From here, turn it on and repeat these steps.
6. Tap ‘OK’ or the printer icon. 
iPhone
With the iPhone, you can print with AirPrint through Wi-Fi. Most printers will be AirPrint enabled.
Connecting to the printer
If you are using AirPrint
Check that your phone and the printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi.
If you are using Bluetooth
You need to pair your phone with the printer.
- Turn on the bluetooth on your phone and printer.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap on your printer. You should now be paired.
If you are using your Printer’s App
- Download your printer’s app in the App store.
- Open the app and turn on your printer’s Wi-Fi.
- Come out of the app and go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Click on your printer. You may need to tap ‘Other Networks’.
Please note that your printer’s app may have additional steps.
If you are using a USB cable
- Check if your printer has a USB port.
- If it does, you can use your charger cable to connect to the laptop.
- If it does not, then you need a specific cord that should have came with your printer. You will also likely need an OTG USB which will allow you to connect your phone to the chord. Place the OTG USB adapter on the USB part of the cord.
- Turn on your printer and connect the USB to the USB port and the other end to your phone.
- When a message pops up that a device has been connected, tap ‘OK’.
Printing the file
- Open the document you want to print.
- Tap the “share” icon. It will look like
. - You should then see the word “Print” or a print icon.
- Tap “Select Printer” and choose the printer you need to print from.
- Tap “Print” in the upper-right corner.
Email to a computer (iPhone and Android)
If for some reason this does not work, you can email a document or photo to yourself and use a computer at the library, internet cafe, or one a computer a friend has access to.
Go to the file and click the “share” icon.
Printing your call history (iPhone and Android)
You may need to provide evidence of who you have been speaking to on the phone on how many times you have tried contacting them.
The easiest way to do this is by taking a screenshot of your call log.
Open the phone app, this is normally a telephone symbol. You should see your most recent calls and your call history as you scroll down.
Once you have followed the steps below, your screenshots will be in your photos, and you can print these using the steps above.
On iPhone 8 and earlier (iPhones with Touch ID)
Press and hold the power button on the right side and click the home button at the same time.
On iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR and higher (iPhones with Face ID)
Press and hold the side button on the right side and click the volume up button at the same time.
Android
- For most Android phones, you can hold down the power and volume-down buttons at the same time.
- If it doesn’t work, try to press and hold the power button for a few seconds. Then, tap ‘Screenshot’.
- On some, you can also pull down the notification panel (drag your finger down the screen from the very top) and tap the “screenshot” icon.
- If you have an Android 11 and older, and these have not worked, try pressing the power and home buttons at the same time.
You can now print this out, by following our guide to printing from your phone.
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What does it mean?
- Wi-Fi - stands for ‘wireless fidelity’. Allows electronic devices to connect to other devices wirelessly through the internet.
- AirPrint - a feature only available on Apple products like an iPhone. Allows your Apple device to connect to a printer wirelessly through the internet
- Bluetooth - a wireless feature that lets you send and receive things, such as sending a document to a computer, between devices. Bluetooth is an ‘open’ feature meaning you just need to turn it on for it to work.
- USB OTG - the extra part that needs to be attached to the USB cord which allows your phone to connect to the printer. Acts as an adapter.
- Touch ID - Using your fingerprint on your home button to unlock your phone
- Face ID - Using your camera to scan your face to unlock your phone
Can you spare a few minutes?
We would be grateful if you could tell us what you think of this information by completing our Feedback survey. We will use your feedback to seek funding and improve our guides and make sure they are as helpful as possible.
About this guide
Disclaimer
The information in this guide applies to the UK.
The law is complicated. We recommend you try to get advice from the sources we have suggested.
The cases we refer to are not always real but show a typical situation. We have included them to help you think about how to deal with your own situation.
Acknowledgement
This guide was written and produced by Advicenow and updated thanks to funding from the Litigant in Person Support Strategy.
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