Set up question re HP smart

[Rw991]

I have HP smart installed on both my android phone and my android tablet. When I want to print a document from the internet the phone does it using HP smart, no problem. When I try to print on my tablet it asks what program to use - the default is Google drive and the list of alternatives does not include HP smart . How to I set it to use HP smart?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Rw991 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how confusing it feels when one device prints smoothly through the HP App, but another insists on offering only Google Drive or other apps. Thank you for already checking the options—it shows persistence. 

Let’s walk through how to make sure your Android tablet can use the HP App for printing.

 

Step 1: Confirm HP App Installation

• On your tablet, open the Google Play Store.
• Search for HP App and ensure it is installed and updated to the latest version.

 

Step 2: Enable Default Printing Service

• Go to Settings > Connected devices > Printing on your tablet.
• Tap Default Print Service and make sure it is enabled.
• Also check if HP Print Service Plugin is listed. If not, install it from the Play Store.

 

Step 3: Set HP App as Printing Option

• Open the document or webpage you want to print.
• Tap the Share or Print option.
• In the list of apps, select HP App or HP Print Service Plugin.
• If it does not appear, tap More or All apps to expand the list.

 

Step 4: Add Printer in HP App

• Launch the HP App.
• Tap Add Printer and let it search for printers on the same Wi‑Fi network.
• Select your printer and confirm connection.
• Once added, the HP App should appear as a printing option.

 

Step 5: Clear Defaults if Needed

• If Google Drive keeps appearing as the default, go to Settings > Apps > Google Drive.
• Tap Open by default > Clear defaults.
• This forces Android to ask again which app to use, allowing you to select the HP App.

Once the HP App and HP Print Service Plugin are properly installed and enabled, your tablet should list them as options when printing. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Rw991]

Many thanks.

Almost fixed, not sure if you can help with the outstanding point.

Specifically I'm trying to print crosswords from a website.

On the phone when I hit 'print' on the drop-down menu it takes me to HP smart and I can pick colour/b&w etc then print.

On the tablet however I when I hit print it asks me where I want to download the file to. So I have to download it first then hit 'print' again before it takes me to HP smart.

Is there any way I can cut out the download step?

[Hawks_Eye]

You are very welcome @Rw991 

I understand how puzzling it feels when your phone prints seamlessly through the HP App, but your tablet insists on offering only Google Drive or other apps. 

You’ve already done the right checks, so let’s refine the setup to make sure HP Smart appears as a printing option on your tablet:

1. Confirm HP App installation

• On your tablet, open the Google Play Store.
• Search for HP App and ensure it is installed and updated to the latest version.

2. Install HP Print Service Plugin

• Go to the Play Store and install HP Print Service Plugin if it isn’t already present.
• This plugin integrates HP Smart with Android’s native printing framework.

3. Enable printing services

• Open Settings > Connected devices > Printing.
• Ensure Default Print Service is enabled.
• Tap HP Print Service Plugin and make sure it is turned on.

4. Add your printer in HP App

• Launch the HP App.
• Tap Add Printer and let it search for printers on the same Wi‑Fi network.
• Select your printer and confirm connection.

5. Clear Google Drive defaults

• Go to Settings > Apps > Google Drive.
• Tap Open by default > Clear defaults.
• This forces Android to ask again which app to use, allowing you to select HP Smart or HP Print Service Plugin.

6. Print from browser or app

• Open the webpage or document you want to print.
• Tap Share > Print.
• In the list of apps, select HP Smart or HP Print Service Plugin. If it doesn’t appear, tap More or All apps to expand the list.

Once the HP Print Service Plugin is installed and enabled, your tablet should list HP Smart as a printing option just like your phone. This integration step is often the missing link when one Android device works and another doesn’t.

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[Rw991]

Thanks.

All good up to step 6.

To get to the page I want to print when using the phone I click on 'print' on the website and it shows the page I want to print. I can then do as you say. Nothing is downloaded.

Using the tablet, when I press print it wants to download the page first.

Is this an HP smart issue or something else?

Can I send a screenshot?

[Hawks_Eye]

You are welcome @Rw991 

I understand exactly what you’re describing—the difference in behavior between your phone and tablet isn’t caused by HP Smart itself, but rather by how the browser or app on each device handles the “Print” command.

On your phone, the browser is passing the page directly into Android’s print framework, which then lets HP Smart or the HP Print Service Plugin take over.
 

On your tablet, the browser is instead treating “Print” as “Save as PDF” or “Download,” which is why you’re forced to save the file first before sending it to HP Smart.

 

Why this happens

• Different versions of the browser (or even different builds of Android) can change how the print option is exposed.
• Some browsers on tablets default to “Save as PDF” rather than “Send to Print Service.”
• HP Smart can only appear as a print destination if the browser hands the job to Android’s print framework.

 

What you can try

Check browser settings

• In Chrome or your default browser on the tablet, tap the three dots > Share > Print instead of using the website’s own “Print” button.
• This forces Android to use the print framework, which should list HP Smart or HP Print Service Plugin.

Install/enable HP Print Service Plugin

• Make sure it’s installed and turned on under Settings > Connected devices > Printing.
• This plugin is what makes HP Smart appear as a direct print option.

Test with another browser

• Try Firefox or Microsoft Edge on the tablet. Some browsers handle “Print” differently and may bypass the forced download step.

Update Android WebView

• Go to Google Play Store > search “Android System WebView” > update.
• This component controls how apps render and share web content, including print functions.

So to answer your question directly: it’s not an HP Smart issue—it’s the way your tablet’s browser is handling the print command. HP Smart can only take over once the Android print framework is invoked.

If you’d like, you can send a screenshot of the print dialog on your tablet. That will help confirm whether the browser is defaulting to “Save as PDF” or if the print framework isn’t being triggered at all.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye