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How do I connect my Canon tr8620 to my phone?

Published in Printer Connectivity 6 mins read

Connecting your Canon TR8620 printer to your phone allows you to print photos and documents directly from your mobile device, primarily using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app via either a direct Wi-Fi connection or your home network.

Two Primary Ways to Connect Your Canon TR8620 to Your Phone

Your Canon TR8620 offers flexible connectivity options to suit your needs:

  • Wireless Direct (Recommended for quick, direct printing): This method creates a temporary, direct Wi-Fi connection between your printer and your phone, bypassing your home router. It's ideal for a quick setup or when a Wi-Fi network isn't available.
  • Via a Wi-Fi Router (Recommended for regular, stable use): Both your printer and phone connect to your existing home Wi-Fi network. This method provides a more stable connection and allows multiple devices on your network to access the printer.

Method 1: Connecting via Wireless Direct

Wireless Direct allows your phone to connect immediately to your printer without needing an intermediary router.

On Your Canon TR8620 Printer:

  1. From the HOME screen on your printer's touch display, tap the (Setup) icon.
  2. Navigate to and select Device settings.
  3. Choose LAN settings.
  4. Select Wireless Direct.
  5. Tap Connect to smartphone.
  6. If prompted, select your device type (e.g., iPhone/iPad for iOS devices, or similar for Android). The printer will then display its network name (SSID) and password. Make a note of these details.

On Your Smartphone (iPhone/Android):

  1. Go to your phone's Settings menu and ensure Wi-Fi is enabled.
  2. Look for a Wi-Fi network name (SSID) that matches what's displayed on your printer's screen (it typically starts with "DIRECT-" followed by your printer model name, e.g., "DIRECT-xxxx-TR8620").
  3. Select this network and enter the password shown on your printer's screen.
  4. Once your phone is connected to the printer's direct network, download and open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (for iOS) or the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app (for Android).
  5. The app should automatically detect your printer. If it doesn't, follow the app's prompts to add a printer manually.

Method 2: Connecting via Your Wi-Fi Router

This is the most recommended method for a stable and convenient printing experience, especially if you plan to use the printer regularly from multiple devices.

First, Connect Your Printer to Your Home Wi-Fi Network:

  1. On your Canon TR8620's HOME screen, tap the (Setup) icon.
  2. Navigate to and select Device settings.
  3. Choose LAN settings.
  4. Select Wi-Fi.
  5. Tap Wi-Fi setup.
  6. Select Standard setup or Easy wireless connect (follow the on-screen prompts for your chosen method).
    • Standard setup: The printer will scan for available networks. Select your home Wi-Fi network (SSID) from the list and enter its password (network key).
    • Easy wireless connect: Follow the simple instructions to connect your printer via your phone or computer.
  7. Once connected, the Wi-Fi icon on your printer's screen should be lit, indicating a successful connection.

Next, Connect Your Phone to the Same Wi-Fi Network:

  1. Ensure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Canon TR8620.
  2. Download and install the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app from your device's app store (App Store for iOS, Google Play Store for Android).
  3. Open the app. It will typically auto-detect your printer on the network.
  4. If the printer isn't found, tap the + icon or the "Add Printer" option within the app and follow the prompts to select your Canon TR8620 from the list of found printers.

Using the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App

The Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app is your central hub for controlling your TR8620 from your phone. It unlocks a wide range of features beyond just printing.

Key Features of the App:

  • Photo Printing: Print photos directly from your phone's gallery.
  • Document Printing: Print various documents, including PDFs and Microsoft Office files.
  • Scanning: Scan documents and photos directly to your smartphone or cloud services.
  • Printer Status: Check ink levels, monitor printer status, and access online manuals.
  • Maintenance: Perform cleaning, nozzle checks, and other maintenance tasks remotely.
  • Creative Printing: Access creative templates and editing tools for personalized prints.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

If you encounter difficulties, refer to this table for quick solutions:

Issue Potential Solution
Printer not found by the app - For router connection: Ensure both printer and phone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- For Wireless Direct: Confirm your phone is connected to the printer's direct network (e.g., "DIRECT-xxxx-TR8620").
- Restart both the printer and your phone.
- Verify your phone's Wi-Fi is enabled.
Incorrect Wi-Fi Password Double-check the Wi-Fi password entered on the printer or phone. Passwords are case-sensitive.
Printer Offline - Verify the printer is powered on and not in sleep mode.
- Check Wi-Fi signal strength if connected via a router.
- Look for any error messages on the printer's display.
Canon PRINT app issues - Update the Canon PRINT app to the latest version.
- Try clearing the app's cache (Android) or reinstalling the app.
Phone loses internet (Wireless Direct) This is normal for Wireless Direct, as your phone connects directly to the printer, temporarily disconnecting from your internet-providing Wi-Fi network. Reconnect to your home Wi-Fi after printing if you need internet access.

Summary Table of Connection Methods

Feature/Method Wireless Direct (Printer-to-Phone) Via Wi-Fi Router (Network)
Setup Ease Quick, no router needed, temporary connection. Initial setup for printer, then simple for all network devices.
Network Required No existing Wi-Fi router required. An existing Wi-Fi router is necessary.
Stability Good for short, direct printing sessions. Excellent for consistent, long-term, and multi-device use.
Printer Access Only the directly connected phone can print. All devices on the same home network can access the printer.
Internet Access Phone temporarily loses internet while connected. Phone maintains internet access while connected to printer.
Primary Use Case Quick prints, no home network available. Regular home/office printing from multiple devices.

Tips for an Optimal Printing Experience

  • Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your phone's operating system, the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY app, and your printer's firmware for the best performance and compatibility.
  • Strong Wi-Fi Signal: If connecting via a router, ensure your printer is placed within good range of your Wi-Fi router for a stable connection.
  • Security: Always use strong, unique passwords for your Wi-Fi network to protect your devices and data.