Printing from an Android device

Questions

  • How do I print from my Android phone to a Bowdoin printer?
  • Can I print from an Android device at Bowdoin?
  • How do I print from my Android tablet on campus?
  • Does Bowdoin support printing from Android?
  • How do I use PaperCut on Android?
  • Is there a PaperCut app for Android?
  • Why can't I find a Bowdoin printer on my Android phone?

Environment

This article applies to anyone trying to print to a Bowdoin campus printer from an Android phone or tablet.

  • Who: All Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff
  • Devices: Android phones and tablets (personally owned — Android is not a Bowdoin-issued platform)
  • Network requirement: Connected to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network
Important: AirPrint — the wireless printing technology used for iOS and iPadOS — is an Apple technology and is not available on Android. Android printing at Bowdoin requires a different approach, described below.

Resolution

Option 1 — Mobility Print via browser (recommended)

PaperCut's Mobility Print supports Android through a browser-based setup. This installs a print service on your device that allows you to print directly from Android apps.

  1. Make sure your device is connected to the BOWDOIN or eduroam wireless network.
  2. Open a browser on your Android device and go to https://p-papercut-a.bowdoin.edu:9164/client-setup/android.html.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Mobility Print service on your device.
  4. Once installed, sign in to papercut.bowdoin.edu so that Mobility Print can fully complete its setup in the background.
  5. To print, open a document in any app, tap the share or print option, and select the Mobile-Print printer. Enter your Bowdoin username and password when prompted.
  6. Release your job at any campus MFD or through the PaperCut portal — see Releasing a held document in the Related Articles section.
Note: Android printing support varies by device manufacturer and Android version. If the setup page does not work as expected on your device, use Option 2 below or contact the Service Desk.

Option 2 — Email or transfer to a Bowdoin computer and print from there

If Mobility Print setup is not working on your Android device, the most reliable alternative is to transfer the document to a Bowdoin-issued computer and print from there:

  • Email the document to yourself and open it on your Bowdoin MacBook or Windows 11 computer.
  • Save it to OneDrive or another cloud storage and open it on your Bowdoin computer.
  • Then print normally following the steps in Printing to a PaperCut printer in the Related Articles section.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

Print Article

Related Articles (5)

PaperCut Print Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting the PaperCut print workflow on a Bowdoin-issued Mac, iPad, or Windows 11 computer. Covers jobs that won't print, jobs stuck in the queue, releasing from the web portal, balance or quota errors, blank pages, and unresponsive release stations. For PaperCut Client software problems, see PaperCut Client Troubleshooting.
Print from a personal (non-Bowdoin) Device
How to set up and use PaperCut to print to Bowdoin campus printers from a personally owned Mac or Windows 11 computer. Covers installing the Mobility Print software, sending a print job, and releasing it at the printer. Requires a Bowdoin account and connection to the Bowdoin network or VPN.
Print from an iPhone, iPad, or other mobile device
How to set up and use PaperCut to print to Bowdoin campus printers from a Bowdoin-issued iPad mini or a personal iPhone or iPad. Covers installing the Mobile Print configuration profile, sending a print job using AirPrint, and releasing the job at a campus MFD or through the PaperCut web portal. Requires a connection to the Bowdoin wireless network.
Releasing a held document printed to a PaperCut printer
Step-by-step instructions for releasing a held print job to a campus printer. Covers three methods: releasing at the printer using your OneCard or Bowdoin ID, releasing through the PaperCut web portal, and releasing from a mobile device. Applies to all Bowdoin students, faculty, and staff
Releasing a print job from the PaperCut portal
How to release a held print job using the PaperCut web portal at papercut.bowdoin.edu. Covers signing in, viewing queued jobs, selecting a physical printer, and using the mobile release site on a phone or tablet. Useful when releasing at the printer is not possible or when you want to choose which printer your job prints to. Requires a Bowdoin account and connection to the Bowdoin network or VPN.