# Printer permissions on Android

**Symptom:** on an Android phone or tablet the scan finds nothing, a Bluetooth printer never appears in the chooser, or a printer at a known address times out.

## Why it happens[​](#why-it-happens "Direct link to Why it happens")

Android gates these separately, and a denial is silent — a blocked connection times out exactly like a printer that's switched off.

* **Nearby devices** covers finding and connecting to Bluetooth printers.
* **Local network** access is required on recent Android versions before an app can reach anything on your Wi-Fi.

## Turn the permissions on[​](#turn-the-permissions-on "Direct link to Turn the permissions on")

1. Open Android **Settings → Apps → WCPOS → Permissions**.
2. Allow **Nearby devices**.
3. If **Local network** is listed, allow that too. Older Android versions don't have it.
4. Close the app and open it again, then scan.

## Bluetooth printers[​](#bluetooth-printers "Direct link to Bluetooth printers")

On Android, Epson and Star printers connect through their manufacturer's own software, and they must be **paired in Android first** — **Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device** — before they show up in the app. Small Bluetooth Low Energy printers are picked in the app's own chooser instead; don't pair those in Android. See [Pairing a Bluetooth receipt printer](/hardware/printers/bluetooth-pairing.md).

## Wi-Fi printers[​](#wi-fi-printers "Direct link to Wi-Fi printers")

Check the tablet is on the shop's Wi-Fi rather than mobile data or a guest network. If the scan comes back empty but you know the printer's address, use **Enter an IP address** — it checks the one address directly and doesn't depend on discovery.

## Still stuck?[​](#still-stuck "Direct link to Still stuck?")

Use **Copy setup report** on the trouble screen and paste it into your message.

[Discord Community](https://wcpos.com/discord)<support@wcpos.com>