Printing Problems

How to Print Word Documents on Android Without Connected Experiences

Khadija Khan Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to print documents from the Microsoft Word Android app without enabling Microsoft 365 Connected Experiences.

How to Print Word Documents on Android Without Connected Experiences

Product: Microsoft Word for Android
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Attempting to print a Word document directly from a mobile device using the Microsoft Word Android app.
Observed behavior: The app blocks the printing process and repeatedly prompts the user to enable Microsoft 365 Connected Experiences, offering no native option to bypass it.

Before you start

Ensure your Android device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your local printer and that the appropriate printer service plugin is installed and activated.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Connected Experiences in Privacy Settings

Adjust your Microsoft 365 privacy settings to permit the cloud services required by Word to process and print documents on Android.

Microsoft Word for Android relies on cloud-based rendering to prepare documents for mobile printing. Because of this architecture, printing is categorized as a 'Connected Experience'. If you are comfortable enabling this feature, it is the most direct way to restore printing functionality within the app.

Access app settings

Open the Microsoft Word app on your Android device and tap on your profile icon or the Settings gear icon.

Navigate to privacy settings

Scroll through the menu and select 'Privacy Settings' under the application preferences.

Enable connected experiences

Scroll down to find 'Connected Experiences' and toggle the switch to the 'On' position.

Restart and print

Restart the Word app, open your document, and tap the 'Print' option to verify the function is restored.

Privacy Consideration: Enabling this setting allows Microsoft to analyze your content in the cloud to provide features like printing. You can toggle this setting off again after printing if you prefer.

Solution 2

Use an Alternative Android App for Printing

If you prefer not to enable Connected Experiences for privacy reasons, open the document in another supported application to print it locally.

Solution 3

Transfer the Document to a Computer

Bypass the Android app restrictions entirely by transferring the document to a desktop or laptop computer for standard offline printing.

Print seamlessly on Android

Print Word Documents Easily with WPS Office for Android

WPS Office allows you to print your Word documents directly from your Android device without forcing unnecessary cloud connectivity or invasive privacy settings. Enjoy a smooth, secure, and hassle-free local printing experience.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office and locate your Word document in the recent files or local storage to open it.
3. Access the Print Menu: Tap the 'Tools' icon at the bottom of the screen, swipe over to the 'File' tab, and select 'Print'.
4. Configure and Print: Adjust your page setup and local printer options, then tap 'Print' to send it directly to your printer offline.

Print directly via the Android system print service without cloud requirementsFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats including .doc and .docxFree to use, lightweight, and fast on mobile devicesNo mandatory connected experiences or account login needed to print locally

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Microsoft Word on Android force me to enable Connected Experiences just to print?

Microsoft Word for Android utilizes cloud-based rendering engines to format documents properly for mobile printing. Because it sends document data to Microsoft servers to process the print job, the app requires you to opt into 'Connected Experiences' for privacy compliance.

Can I print locally via Wi-Fi without the cloud in Microsoft Word?

Currently, Microsoft Word for Android routes printing tasks through its cloud services. This prevents purely local offline printing directly from the app without enabling the Connected Experiences setting. To print strictly locally without the cloud, you must use a third-party application.

Will enabling Connected Experiences share my private document data with Microsoft?

Yes, while it is primarily for processing features like printing, translation, and dictation, enabling this setting does allow Microsoft to temporarily analyze your content on their servers. You can review Microsoft's privacy policy in the app settings for exact details on how your data is handled.

Document & File Issues