How to print a bill from your mobile phone
You don’t need a computer to give printed bills. An Android phone, a small thermal printer and a billing app are enough. Here is how to choose the printer, connect it and print your first bill.
1. What you need
- An Android phone or tablet with Bluetooth (most phones from the last few years are fine).
- A thermal receipt printer — 58 mm (2 inch) or 80 mm (3 inch) paper, “ESC/POS” compatible.
- Thermal paper rolls of the right width.
- A billing app that can print, such as Brozap.
2. Choosing a thermal printer
| 58 mm | 80 mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Good for | Small shops, a few items per bill, portable use | Busy counters, long bills, GST details that need space |
| Connection | Usually Bluetooth, often battery powered | USB, Bluetooth or LAN; mains powered |
| Paper | Small rolls, change more often | Larger rolls, lasts longer |
When buying, check three things: it says ESC/POS, it works with Android, and the paper width matches what you want. Thermal printers need no ink — only thermal paper.
3. Connect a Bluetooth printer
- Switch the printer on and load the paper (shiny side towards the print head, usually facing up/out).
- On the phone, open Settings → Bluetooth and turn it on.
- Tap the printer’s name (often like “BlueTooth Printer”, “MTP-II” or “RPP02”). If it asks for a PIN, try 0000 or 1234, or check the printer’s manual.
- Open the billing app and choose the printer in its printer settings. In Brozap, pick the printer and the paper size (58 or 80 mm).
- Print a test page.
4. Using a USB printer
Many 80 mm printers use USB. Connect it to the phone or tablet with an OTG cable (USB-C or micro-USB to USB-A). Android asks for permission the first time — allow it. Then pick the printer in the app as above.
5. Make and print the bill
- Add the items: tap them, search by name, or scan the barcode.
- Check the quantity and total.
- Take the payment (cash or bank/UPI) and finish the bill.
- Tap Print. You can reprint any old bill from the bill history later.
In Brozap, printing works without internet, because the phone talks directly to the printer.
6. No printer? Send the bill on WhatsApp
Many customers prefer a bill on WhatsApp: it can’t fade or get lost. After finishing a bill, tap Share on WhatsApp and choose the customer’s chat. This needs internet on the phone.
7. If it doesn’t print
- Blank paper comes out: the roll is in upside down. Turn it over.
- Printer not found: turn Bluetooth off and on, make sure the printer is not connected to another phone, and allow “Nearby devices” permission for the app.
- Strange characters: the printer may not be ESC/POS compatible, or the wrong paper size is selected.
- Text cut off on the right: select 58 mm in the app if your paper is 58 mm.
Common questions
Can I print a bill from my mobile without a computer?
Yes. Connect a Bluetooth or USB (OTG) thermal printer to your Android phone and print from a billing app like Brozap.
Which printer size is better for a shop, 58 mm or 80 mm?
58 mm is cheaper and portable, fine for short bills. 80 mm is easier to read and better for long or GST bills at a busy counter.
Can I print in Hindi?
Many cheap thermal printers cannot print Hindi text reliably. Brozap uses Hindi on the screen but prints bills in English, which every printer supports.