How to connect a network printer over Android?

Question

I want to code an Android app, which will connect to a network printer with a specific IP address, and then make a printing.

For printing I know that I need to write

Answer 1

Well, you cant connect any devices directly as you will need the driver installed. there are 3rd party apps like Google Cloud print that works seamlessly with Android though.

Answer 2

Just Add This Code After oncreate Method

if (android.os.Build.VERSION.SDK_INT > 9) {
    StrictMode.ThreadPolicy policy = 
        new StrictMode.ThreadPolicy.Builder().permitAll().build();
    StrictMode.setThreadPolicy(policy);
}

Answer 3

Any device connected to a network will communicate via their IP and Ports / sockets. The simplest way to connect via telnet or socket and write the data to their socket buffers.

try 
    {
    Socket sock = new Socket("192.168.1.222", 9100);
    PrintWriter oStream = new PrintWriter(sock.getOutputStream());
        oStream.println("HI,test from Android Device");
        oStream.println("\n\n\n");
        oStream.close();
        sock.close(); 
    }
    catch (UnknownHostException e) 
    {
        e.printStackTrace();
    } 
    catch (IOException e) 
    { 
        e.printStackTrace();
    } 

Answer 4

Try to use PrintManager: https://developer.android.com/training/printing/custom-docs

  private void doPrint() {
    // Get a PrintManager instance
    PrintManager printManager = (PrintManager) getActivity()
            .getSystemService(Context.PRINT_SERVICE);

    // Set job name, which will be displayed in the print queue
    String jobName = getActivity().getString(R.string.app_name) + " Document";

    // Start a print job, passing in a PrintDocumentAdapter implementation
    // to handle the generation of a print document
    printManager.print(jobName, new MyPrintDocumentAdapter(getActivity()),
            null); //
}

Answer 5

You might be able to use lpdspooler, that is, if the printer supports LPR/LPD. If you can give some more details about the environment (printer, etc), I might be able to give more information.

Answer 6

Star has an Android SDK which has port discovery. It'll find any of their wifi receipt printers on your network. http://starmicronics.com/support/SDKDocumentation.aspx