Google Cloud Print is a cross-platform service that links non-Google-Cloud compatible printers to Google Cloud devices. It basically allows you to sync any printers to your Google Account and print through the account.
Keywords
- Classic Printer
- A printer that has WiFi capabilities, but not directly compatible
- Chrome
- Google’s web browser that allows you to access
Uses
The most common uses for this are if you were trying to print something on your Chromebook, but were not able to connect to the printer directly (if the printer was not Cloud compatible). Other device possibilities would be any phones or tablets that you can’t directly print to.
Additionally, if your phone has the ability to use Google Chrome as a web browser, you can just open what you need to print there, and then use Google Cloud Print via the following steps.
Part 1: Initial Preparations
For all of this to work, there are a few things you need:
- A Mac/Windows PC connected to your printer over WiFi
- A Google Account
- A compatible device
- Android phone/tablet
- Chromebook
To find if your device is compatible, visit the links below:
Before continuing, make sure that you’re signed into your Google Account on your devices. Also make sure that the printer is on and connected to your device that’s connected directly through WiFi to the printer.
Part 2: Finding Google Cloud Print Settings
From your device connected to the printer, navigate in Chrome, starting at the three vertical dots in the top right corner:
Settings > Advanced > Printing > Google Cloud Print
Alternatively, click this link chrome://settings/cloudPrinters
Unless you’re signed into your Google Account, the next steps will not work.
Part 3: Syncing a printer to Google Cloud Print
Upon getting to the settings page, click on “Manage Cloud Print devices”.
From here, under “Classic Printers,” click on “Add Printers”.
Now, Google Cloud Print will detect printers that your device is connected to through WiFi or wired connection. Select your Classic Printer, and click the blue box “Add Printer(s)”.
After these steps, your printer will now be added to your Google Account through the Cloud.
Final Steps: Confirming Status
You’re going to want to make sure that your printer is synced with your devices, and that your devices can print to the printer. From any device compatible with Google Cloud Print, all you have to do is get to the screen where you select the destination of the file you want to print. In Google Chrome, navigate from the three vertical dots at the top right and select print.
Under “Destination”, we will be changing whatever is there by default to your printer under the “Google Cloud Print” category. Here, you can select your printer and print.