The printing industry has long grappled with a fundamental challenge: enabling seamless print and scan functionality across disparate devices, operating systems, and hardware brands without forcing users to navigate a maze of proprietary drivers and manufacturer-specific applications.
This fragmentation creates friction for billions of users worldwide—from enterprise IT administrators managing diverse device fleets to consumers who simply expect their smartphone to communicate effortlessly with any printer. The cost of this complexity extends beyond user frustration: it generates help desk tickets, delays productivity, and undermines the promise of truly interoperable technology ecosystems.
Google Formalizes Decade-Long Collaboration Through Executive Membership
The Mopria Alliance, a global non-profit organization dedicated to establishing universal print and scan standards, announced that Google has joined as an Executive Member. This formalization of a partnership that spans more than a decade signals a strategic commitment to advancing cross-platform compatibility for the billions of users relying on Android and ChromeOS devices.
Google’s integration of Mopria print technology has been embedded in Android’s Default Print Service for over ten years, delivering native print capabilities to devices without requiring third-party downloads. Chromebooks have similarly adopted Mopria scan technology, creating a foundation of standardized functionality that eliminates traditional barriers between devices and peripherals.
“Google’s decision to join the Mopria Alliance marks an exciting new chapter in this journey, strengthening our mission to deliver effortless, universal printing and scanning for everyone, regardless of the devices they use,” said Michael St. Laurent, President of the Mopria Alliance.
Expanding Influence Beyond Android and ChromeOS Ecosystems
As an Executive Member, Google will assume a more active governance role in shaping next-generation standards that extend beyond its own platforms. This participation positions the company to influence specifications that affect Windows, Fire OS tablets, and emerging computing environments—ensuring that interoperability remains central as technology landscapes evolve.
“Our Executive Membership in the Mopria Alliance is a testament to Google’s commitment to simplifying and modernizing print and scan for the next generation of computing,” said Gajanan Bhat, Engineering Senior Director at Google. The company’s focus extends to fostering innovation that makes printing and scanning “an effortless and reliable experience” across the entire industry, not merely within its proprietary ecosystems.
Scale and Impact: 5 Billion Installations Worldwide
Mopria’s standards currently power over 5 billion installations globally, with more than 9,500 certified product models and 120 million certified printers and scanners in active daily use. These figures underscore the Alliance’s practical impact: its specifications have become the de facto infrastructure enabling driver-free printing and scanning across brand boundaries.
Founded in 2013 by Canon, HP, Samsung, and Xerox, the Alliance now encompasses 30 member organizations representing hardware manufacturers, software providers, and document management platforms—including Adobe, Brother, Epson, Lexmark, Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Ricoh.
Strategic Implications for Enterprise and Consumer Markets
Google’s elevated commitment arrives as hybrid work models and mobile-first computing continue to reshape how organizations and individuals interact with document workflows. Universal standards reduce IT overhead, accelerate device provisioning, and enhance security by minimizing the attack surface created by fragmented driver ecosystems.
For enterprises managing multi-vendor environments, Mopria certification provides a measurable benchmark for procurement decisions—ensuring new hardware investments integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure regardless of brand loyalties or legacy systems.
Organizations interested in contributing to universal print and scan standards development can explore membership opportunities at mopria.org/join-us.
About the Mopria® Alliance
The Mopria® Alliance is a nonprofit organization of leading global technology companies with a mission to provide universal standards for simple, seamless printing and scanning with any Mopria certified device. Dedicated to driving innovation and cross-platform compatibility, Mopria print technology is built into more than 5 billion Android™ devices and is also supported by Microsoft® Windows®. With members including Canon, HP, Samsung, Xerox, and others, Mopria certified solutions enable mobile connectivity to over 9,500 printer models and more than 120 million devices worldwide. Learn more at www.mopria.org. Print. Scan. Go.
