Hp Printer App Explained: A UK Buyer's Guide

If you are searching for the HP printer app, the app you need is usually HP Smart. It is HP’s official app for setting up your printer, printing from a phone or laptop, scanning documents, checking ink levels, and managing features such as HP Instant Ink. For most UK users, HP Smart is the main way to control an HP printer at home or in a small office.

TL;DR: The HP printer app is HP Smart, available on iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac. It lets you set up your HP printer, print and scan wirelessly, monitor ink, and use remote features such as Print Anywhere. Based on our testing with common UK broadband setups, it works best on a stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi connection and with your HP account set to the United Kingdom.

In other words, understanding how to use the HP printer app is now essential for many owners of models such as the HP DeskJet 4120e. In this guide, we explain what the app does, how to set it up, which features matter most in the UK, and how to fix common problems quickly.

What is the HP printer app called?

The official HP printer app is called HP Smart. Although many people search for “HP printer app”, HP uses the HP Smart name across iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. It is designed to replace older driver-heavy software with a simpler app-based experience for setup, printing, scanning and account management.

Based on our testing across typical UK home networks, HP Smart is usually the fastest way to get a modern wireless HP printer up and running. It also gives access to mobile-first features that older tools such as HP Solution Centre did not offer. If you are comparing brands before buying, you may also find our Inkjet Printer Epson Explained guide useful.

What does the HP Smart app do?

Can you print from your phone with the HP printer app?

Yes. One of the main reasons people download the HP printer app is to print directly from a smartphone or tablet. You can send PDFs, photos, emails and web pages to your printer without opening a laptop first. As a result, it is especially handy for quick tasks such as printing return labels, travel documents or school forms.

Can you scan documents with the HP printer app?

Yes. The app supports both scanner-based scanning from compatible all-in-one printers and camera-based mobile scanning using your phone. It can crop edges automatically, improve contrast and save files as PDFs or images. Therefore, it is useful for digitising receipts, ID documents or paperwork for HMRC submissions.

Can you check ink levels in the HP printer app?

Yes. HP Smart lets you monitor estimated ink or toner levels and order replacements where supported. It also acts as the main hub for managing HP Instant Ink subscriptions. If you want to understand how that compares with buying cartridges outright, read our guide on HP Printer Ink Explained.

Can you use Print Anywhere in the UK?

In many cases, yes. Print Anywhere allows eligible printers to receive jobs when you are away from home, provided both your device and printer are linked correctly through your HP account. However, availability can depend on model support, firmware status and account setup.

How do you download and set up the HP printer app?

The easiest way to get started is to install HP Smart from your device’s official app store or from HP’s desktop software page. After that, follow the setup prompts inside the app.

1. Download HP Smart: Install it from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or on Windows/macOS.
2. Create or sign in to an HP account: This is often required for full functionality, especially on many ‘e’ series printers.
3. Put your printer into Setup Mode: New printers usually do this automatically when first powered on.
4. Enable Bluetooth if prompted: The app may use Bluetooth Low Energy to locate nearby printers during setup.
5. Connect the printer to Wi-Fi: Enter your wireless details when prompted so the printer joins your home network.
6. Complete updates: Finally, allow firmware updates if offered so security and compatibility stay current.

Based on our testing with BT Smart Hub, Sky Broadband Hub and Virgin Media Hub routers, setup tends to be smoother when the printer connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi rather than 5GHz-only networks. In addition, mesh systems can occasionally delay discovery during first-time setup.

“In our own UK testing, most successful first-time setups happened within minutes when Bluetooth was enabled and the router allowed a stable 2.4GHz connection.” — Copixa technical team

Why is the HP printer app not finding my printer?

This is one of the most common questions users ask after downloading HP Smart. Usually, it means there is a problem with network visibility rather than with the printer itself.

Is your phone or computer on the same Wi-Fi network?

Your device and your printer normally need to be on the same network during setup or local printing. Therefore, check that one has not connected to a guest network while the other uses your main household Wi-Fi.

Does your router combine 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands?

Many UK routers from BT, Virgin Media and Sky merge bands automatically. Although that usually works well enough for phones and laptops, some printers connect more reliably on 2.4GHz. If discovery fails repeatedly, separating bands temporarily may help.

Is Setup Mode still active?

If too much time has passed since powering on a new device, Setup Mode may have expired. In that case, reset only the wireless settings on the printer and try again through HKP Smart once more.

Troubleshooting common HP Smart app problems in the UK

Even though the app is straightforward most of the time, some issues appear regularly on British broadband setups. Fortunately, they are often easy to fix.