Computers

How to set up and use Google Cloud Print

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Print from virtually anywhere with Google Cloud Print
The virtual printer app for Windows lets you print from Office and other desktop programs
The virtual printer app for Windows also allows you to print from Metro-style apps
The Canon Pixma MX922 is Google Cloud Ready
Manage Google Cloud Printers in advanced Chrome settings
Click Add printers to add your classic printer to your Google account
Registering a classic printer to a Google account
Manage all printers from your Google account
Pick the printer you want to send your document to
Printing from Chrome on a Android device is easiest
The Google browser and mobile apps allow you to print from iOS
Print from Chrome to any Google Cloud Printer you have set up
The Windows virtual Google Cloud driver lets you pick from your printers in Firefox
Print from virtually anywhere with Google Cloud Print
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Google is doing its bit to delay the emergence of the paperless office with Google Cloud Print, a service that lets users print from web-connected devices, including Android and iOS mobile devices and PCs, from virtually anywhere in the world with an internet connection. So how exactly does it work? Here's a look at setting it up using either a standard printer connected to your computer or a Google Cloud Ready printer.

Set up a Google Cloud Ready printer

The easiest way to get started with Google cloud printing is to have a printer that's Google Cloud Ready. A full list of current printers that get the Google Cloud Print Ready tick of approval are listed here. The list contains a good number of printers from several manufacturers, so if cloud printing capabilities are something you're after, make sure to check out the list before going off to buy a new one.

The Canon Pixma MX922 is Google Cloud Ready

In this first example, I'm setting up a Canon Pixma MX922. Each printer setup varies, but the instructions are generally pretty straight-forward and easy to follow. After I connected the printer to my Wi-Fi network and registered it with Google via the printer's onboard menu system, it printed out a shortened URL and QR Code which I could use on my phone or computer to log into my Google account and complete the registration.

After getting the printout, I advise finishing the registration quickly, as you only have 14 minutes to do it. After registration is complete, you can go to this Google page to manage all of your printers. There you can see which printers you have, when they were added, and the print jobs that have been completed.

Manage all printers from your Google account

Add a standard printer to Google Cloud Print

If you don't have a Cloud Print Ready printer, no worries, you can set up a regular one too. First, make sure the printer you want to use is connected to the computer you set it up on and you've installed the latest printer drivers and Google's Chrome browser. Note that the set up procedure only works with the Chrome browser, so installing it is a requirement.Using Chrome, log into your Google account and go to Settings > Show Advanced Settings. Then scroll down under the Google Cloud Print section and click the Manage button.

Manage Google Cloud Printers in advanced Chrome settings

Here you'll see your printers listed under My devices. Under Classic printers, click the Add printers button.

Click Add printers to add your classic printer to your Google account

On the following screen you'll see the "classic printer" you want to add to your account. For example, here I'm adding a Canon MP495 that's about four years old. Make sure it's checked and click the Add printer(s) button at the bottom. I would also recommend selecting to automatically register new printers for the sake of convenience.

Registering a classic printer to a Google account

Printing from a mobile device or computer

After you have your printer set up through your Google Account, you'll be able to print from your Android or iOS mobile device. There are several different printing apps you can use. The easiest one is probably Chrome, which is supported on all devices, but you can experiment and find what works best for you. Here I'm using Chrome on a Nexus 7 to print out a Gizmag page. Just hit the settings icon in the upper right hand corner and tap Print.

Printing from Chrome on a Android device is easiest

Next you'll get a menu where you can select the cloud printer from your list. As you can see in the shot below, both of the legacy and Google Cloud Ready Canon printers I added are on the list.

Pick the printer you want to send your document to

Of course you can use your Mac or PC too. In Chrome simply hit Ctrl+P. Then select the printer you want.

Print from Chrome to any Google Cloud Printer you have set up

If you're using a Windows laptop regularly, check out the Google Cloud Printer for Windows. Yes, you'll still need Chrome installed, but it's a virtual driver that lets you use Internet Explorer, Office 2013, Firefox, and other desktop programs with your list of cloud printers. It even works with Metro-style apps in Windows 8.1.

The Windows virtual Google Cloud driver lets you pick from your printers in Firefox

It's a bit harder to find an app to print from an iOS device than Android, but if you use the Google browser or Google Mobile apps you'll get most of the printing done that you need to while on the go.

The Google browser and mobile apps allow you to print from iOS

Wrapping up

Not only does Google Cloud Print allow you to print from mobile devices, but you can do so from virtually anywhere you have an internet connection. You don't need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Just add your printer to the list of your devices and you'll be able to get your important documents and presentations printed. One caveat is that when you're using a standard printer, the computer it's connected to needs to be powered on. Otherwise, if you want an easy way to print from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, this is a good way to go.

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4 comments
Basil
So now, google will scan all your printed documents for keywords for customizing their ads to you. "If you are not paying for it, you are the product".
dcunningham
Elegant in theory, less than stellar in practice. Google Cloud Print is designated as a Beta offering as of November, 2014, so support is thin, even for paying Google Apps for Business customers.
There is no end-user support forum. There is a developers forum, but most posts by end-users seeking troubleshooting assistance go unanswered. Support calls to the Chromebook manufacturer (in my case, HP) are transferred to Google and answered by enthusiastic staff, but it appears they have little if any escalation or knowledgebase support. GCP seems to be a mystery to both HP and Google.
Methinks there may be competitive pressures and disincentives at play here.
Nicola Rhododendron
Of course its all about Microsoft causing those legal barriers to Google. Everything could be so wonderfully easy and clearly designed and set up. But no, Microsoft lawyers work tirelessly to sabotage Google from creating an easy set up for their machines and applications. I am totally overwhelmed right now. I have no clue how to connect my Canon printer to the Chromebook. I will keep on reading and researching probably for weeks until I finally find the proper way to connect them.
nickw
So let me get this straight. You are saying it's cool to buy a ChromeBook and then have to go round and buy another printer which is Cloud enabled because otherwise, you won't be able to print anything from your shiny new toy?