Using window.print() or alternative on Android devices

javascript android google-chrome chrome-for-android
MarshallOfSound picture MarshallOfSound · Oct 31, 2014 · Viewed 44.4k times · Source

On Android devices (I have tested Nexus 5, Nexus 10, Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Tab 3), the window.print() command in JavaScript doesn't do anything. As far as I can tell it doesn't even register an error.

I know for a fact that most if not all of these browsers can print because you can use mobile Chrome's menu to choose "print".

Why doesn't window.print() trigger the behavior you would expect (opening the clients print menu)? And is there an Android alternative to window.print()?

Answer

Harry picture Harry · Nov 6, 2014

It is clearly stated in this Documentation, "The command is supported on iOS, Chrome on Windows and Safari and Chrome on Mac. It is not supported on Android."

Android phones don't have native support for printing yet, so window.print() will not work. Which means you need to use third-party app to do the printing. You could find some alternatives in this article.

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