How to print pictures from your phone comes down to 5 options: order prints online or in an app, go to a print shop, use a portable photo printer, make a photo book, or turn your favourites into wall art. Ordering online usually gives the best quality for the least money; a print shop is quickest.
Most of us have thousands of photos on our phones and almost none on paper. The good news is that phone cameras are now sharp enough for proper prints, and you don't need a computer to get them. Here's how each way works on iPhone and Android, and which one suits what you want to make.
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Jump to: Before you print · 5 ways to print · Quick comparison · Which size to print · FAQs
Before you print: 3 quick checks
Check the photo is big enough
Open the photo and look at its details. On iPhone, swipe up on the photo in Photos. On Android, open it in Google Photos and swipe up. You'll see the size in megapixels (MP).
- Most phone photos (12 MP or more) print sharply up to 8x10" and look good at 11x14".
- Screenshots and photos saved from WhatsApp or social media are much smaller, so keep them to 4x6" or smaller.
Tip: if a photo came to you on WhatsApp, ask the sender to send it again as a document or in HD. Chat apps shrink photos to save data, and a document keeps the full quality.
If your iPhone uses Optimise iPhone Storage for iCloud Photos, open the photo and wait a second before you upload it, so the full-size version downloads.
Watch the crop
Phone photos are a slightly different shape (4:3) from a classic 4x6" print (3:2), so a little gets cut off the top and bottom. You can choose what goes yourself: in your phone's photo editor, tap Crop and pick the shape that matches your print, like 3:2 for 4x6", before you upload. On iPhone you'll also find 7:5 for 5x7" and 10:8 for 8x10". 5x7" and 8x10" are closer to the phone's shape, so less is lost.
Make a quick edit
Straighten, crop and brighten in your phone's own editor first. Printed photos often look a touch darker than they do on a bright screen, so a small lift in brightness helps.
Ready? Photo prints come in four sizes, from album-size 4R to wall-size 11R.
5 ways to print pictures from your phone
1. Order prints online or in an app
This is the easiest way to get lab-quality prints, and usually the cheapest per photo. You pick the photos on your phone, choose sizes and the prints arrive at your door.
How to do it in the Photobook app (the same on iPhone and Android):
- Download the free Photobook app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Choose what you want to make, like photo prints or a photo book.
- Pick your photos straight from your camera roll.
- Choose the size and check each crop in the preview.
- Place your order. You'll get notifications about your order on your phone.
Best for: sharp, long-lasting prints of many photos at once, when you can wait a few days.
Start in the Photobook app, free on iPhone, iPad and Android.
2. Go to a print shop or photo kiosk
Many photo shops, pharmacies and malls have self-service kiosks. You connect your phone (by cable, a QR code or the shop's app), pick your photos and collect the prints, often the same day and sometimes while you wait.
Best for: same-day prints, like photos for a card, a school project or a last-minute gift. Prints usually cost more per photo than ordering online, and you may queue at busy times.
If you can wait a few days, photo prints ordered online come to your door instead.
3. Use a portable photo printer
Pocket-size printers connect to your phone by Bluetooth and print small photos, often with a sticky back or an instant-film look, in about a minute.
Best for: parties, travel journals and scrapbooks, where the fun is printing on the spot. Most print small sizes, around 2x3", and cost more per photo than any other way, so they're not the best choice for photos you'll frame.
For an instant-photo look without the printer, try our Classic Mini Insta Card.
4. Make a photo book straight from your phone
If you have more than a handful of photos, like a whole holiday or a baby's first year, a photo book keeps them together in order, so they don't end up loose in a drawer.
In the Photobook app, pick your photos from your camera roll and Smart layout arranges them on the pages for you. You choose how many photos go on each page, then check every page before you order.
Best for: trips, milestones and years of family photos, and gifts.
See all our photo books, or follow our guide on how to make a photo book.
5. Turn your favourites into wall art or gifts
Some photos deserve more than an album: the wedding portrait, the family photo from the holidays, the best shot from your last trip. Upload them from your phone and print them as a canvas, a framed print or a metal print.
Best for: one or a few standout photos you want to see every day, and gifts for family.
Browse our wall art, from canvas prints to framed and metal prints.
Quick comparison
- Online or app: lab quality, ready in a few days, lowest cost per print. Best for many photos and keepsakes.
- Print shop or kiosk: good quality, same day, medium cost. Best for last-minute prints.
- Portable printer: small, basic prints in about a minute, highest cost per print. Best for parties and journals.
- Photo book: lab quality, ready in a few days, lowest cost per photo. Best for trips, milestones and gifts.
- Wall art: lab quality, ready in a few days. Best for one standout photo on the wall.
Which size should you print?
- 4R (4x6"): albums, fridge doors and small frames.
- 5R (5x7"): desk frames and gifts.
- 8R (8x10"): framed portraits and graduation or wedding photos.
- 11R (11x14"): a statement photo on the wall.
Choose a size to frame with 8R large prints, or see our photo book size guide for books.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send a picture from my phone to my printer?
Connect your phone and a Wi-Fi printer to the same network. On iPhone, open the photo in Photos, tap Share and then Print. On Android, open it in Google Photos, tap the three dots (More) and then Print. A home printer is fine for a quick copy, but for photos you want to keep, lab prints on photo paper look better and last longer.
Can I print photos directly from my phone?
Yes. You can order prints in an app like the Photobook app, send them to a print shop, or print to a portable or Wi-Fi printer, all without a computer.
Where is the best place to print pictures from your phone?
For the best quality and value, order online from a photo printing service. For prints today, a print shop or photo kiosk is quicker.
Are phone photos good enough to print?
Yes. Photos from any recent phone print sharply up to 8x10". Screenshots and photos saved from chat apps are smaller, so print those at 4x6" or below.
Why are my printed photos cropped?
Phone photos are a different shape (4:3) from most print sizes, so the edges get trimmed to fit. Crop the photo yourself to the print's shape first, like 3:2 for 4x6", so you decide what stays in.
Turn your camera roll into something you can hold
Pick ten favourites from this month and print them. It takes a few minutes in the Photobook app, and you'll have photos to hold, not just scroll past.
More ideas: what to do with old photos.
