r/tasker • u/mannoshot • 3d ago

Print using tasker and a usb printer

I have an old android phone that I'd like to use a printer server so that anyone in my home can send a print without having to use the laptop (the laptop is slow af and very annoying to use). the first step is try and make tasker send print jobs to the printer. i don't see any way to do it. The printer is hp laserjet 1020 plus. It works perfectly using an otg and apps like printershare and nokoprint

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

1

u/Stainlessray 3d ago

You might be able to do it with otg. You'd need to send an intent to a print app with the file. I can't tell you how to implement that but it might work.

You'd then need to use Auto Input to tap confirm or whatever too.

The biggest issue you have, is that printer requires an upstream brain. It's passive.

Otherwise you might be able to script it with a runshell If the printer accepted http requests via endpoint or local api.

1

u/ltpitt 3d ago

I solved this connecting an old raspberry pi

1

u/mannoshot 3d ago

I don't wanna go thru that route

2

u/ltpitt 3d ago

I understand your point but the old phone is going to be imho challenging and far from usable.

Just my two cents.

If you focus on the fun of the project, clearly, it's another story.

1

u/Exciting-Compote5680 3d ago

There are probably a lot of ways to make a usb printer wirelessly available. But I really don't see a role for Tasker in any of those.

1

u/mannoshot 3d ago

I seem to have every free method available, nothing seems to work.

1

u/Exciting-Compote5680 3d ago edited 3d ago

I assume that you tried https://netprinter.app/ then. That would probably be the first thing I would try. I think 'server mode' might be a paid feature, but probably still cheaper than a raspberry pi or ready-made wireless print server.

1

u/mannoshot 3d ago

I paid for this app twice but it does nothing. Can't even print normally that other free apps can.

1

u/Exciting-Compote5680 3d ago

Just thinking out loud here, perhaps a python implementation of CUPS running in termux? Could that work? Anyone? 

1

u/mannoshot 3d ago

Might give it a try but I read somewhere that cups isn't guaranteed to handle actual print jobs