Android Work Profile hides printers — profile policy toggle (Intune/Workspace ONE/Knox)
Joe B.
Reviewed for technical accuracy
Specialities: Android Enterprise, Work Profile printing, Intune/Workspace ONE/Knox, Mopria/HP Print Service, IPP, DLP & cross-profile controls
Android work apps can’t print — printers hidden by policy, allow printing in Work Profile, enable managed print service
Technician
• EMM/MDM platform? (Microsoft Intune, VMware Workspace ONE, Samsung Knox Manage)
• Device type? (Personally-owned with Work Profile / COPE / COBO) and Android version.
• In Settings → Connected devices → Printing under the briefcase (work) icon — do you see Mopria Print Service or HP Print Service Plugin enabled inside the work profile?
• Exact symptom: “No printers available”, “Printing disabled by your organization”, or the Print option missing from work apps (Gmail/Drive/Chrome for Work).
Technician
• **Disallow printing** in the work profile (Intune “Device restrictions (Android)” → Printing).
• Block or not deploy a **managed print service** (Mopria/HP) into the work profile via Managed Google Play.
• Limit **cross-profile app functions** (Android Management API / DPC controls), which can hide the print sheet or prevent plugins from exposing functions to work apps.
We’ll flip the right **policy toggle** and publish a trusted print service to the work side only.
Technician
1) In **Devices → Android → Configuration profiles**, edit the Device restrictions (Android Enterprise) profile that targets your work-profile users.
2) Under **Work profile settings**, ensure **Printing = Allow** (not blocked). This reveals printers to work apps and unhides the system print dialog.
3) In **Apps → Android (Managed Google Play)**, search **Mopria Print Service** (or vendor plugin) and **Assign** it to the same user group with **Device context = Work profile** so it installs only on the work side.
4) On a device, open **Work Play Store** (briefcase icon), confirm Mopria/HP shows as **Installed**, then in Work Settings → Printing make sure the service is **On**.
Result: work Gmail/Drive/Chrome see **corporate printers** via Mopria, while personal apps stay isolated.
Technician
• In **Knox Manage**, review **Android Enterprise policies** for the Work Profile and set **Printing = Allow**. Then publish **Mopria/HP Print Service** to the work profile via Managed Google Play so the plugin lives inside the container.
• In **Workspace ONE UEM**, enable **Work Profile printing**, keep **cross-profile data sharing** restricted, and deploy a managed print service to Work only.
• On the device, verify under the briefcase settings that **Default Print Service** or **Mopria** is toggled **On** inside Work Profile.
Secondary keywords to note: Android Enterprise printing, managed profile printers, IPP, corporate printer discovery, allow printing policy.
Technician
• Work apps route via **corp Wi-Fi/VPN** where printers are reachable (IPP/IPP-over-TLS, mDNS/Bonjour as required).
• Personal profile can stay on guest Wi-Fi — printers there won’t appear in Work (by design).
• If discovery is filtered, add printers by **IP/hostname** within Mopria (work side) or publish printer bookmarks via your MDM.
Keywords covered: Android work profile printers not showing, IPP Everywhere, corporate printer allowlist, secure printing.
Technician
1) **Printing disabled** in the Work Profile device-restriction policy → re-enable to expose the system print dialog to work apps.
2) **App functions/cross-profile app functions** restricted by your DPC/Android Management API policy → loosen to allow print services to **expose functions** to work apps.
After flipping these, reinstall/enable the **managed print service** (Mopria/HP) inside Work, then relaunch the app. Keywords: print option missing, work profile printing policy, managed print service.
Technician
• Disallowing cross-profile share out from Work → Personal.
• Allowing Work apps to print to **approved corporate printers** only (network-based allowlists).
• Keeping personal profile Mopria separate. This delivers **secure Android Work Profile printing** and prevents data leakage while enabling IPP/IPP-TLS to corporate queues.
SEO keys woven: block personal printing, allow corporate printers only, DLP, managed Google Play deployment.
Technician
• Policy: **Printing = Allow** in Work Profile restrictions (Intune / Knox / WS1).
• App: Deploy **Mopria Print Service** (or vendor plugin) to **Work profile only** via Managed Google Play; ensure the service is **On** under Work Settings → Printing.
• Network: Work apps route to **corporate network/VPN** where IPP printers live; add IP/hostname if discovery is filtered.
• DLP: Keep cross-profile share to Personal **blocked**; printing stays in Work only.
Need exact paths for your console? Open the chat.
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when Android Work Profile hides printers: in your MDM, set **Printing = Allow** for the Work Profile, deploy a **managed print service** (Mopria/HP Print Service Plugin) to the work side via Managed Google Play, enable it under Work Settings → Printing, and ensure work apps can reach **corporate IPP printers** (Wi-Fi/VPN). Keep cross-profile sharing to personal blocked for DLP.
Why Work Profile hides printers (device restrictions & app functions)
When an organization disables Printing in Work Profile device restrictions, Android removes the print dialog from work apps or shows “No printers available”. If a managed print service isn’t installed inside the work container, apps can’t discover IPP printers even if personal side can. Some DPC/Android Management API settings also restrict app functions, further limiting print services from exposing capabilities to work apps. Enabling printing and publishing a trusted plugin inside Work resolves the issue.
How to verify Work Profile printing works
From work Gmail/Drive/Chrome, tap Print. The dialog should list printers from your **managed print service**. In Work Settings → Printing, confirm the service is On. Test on corporate Wi-Fi or VPN. If discovery is filtered, add printers by IP/hostname or publish printer entries with your MDM. Keep cross-profile share disabled so personal apps can’t print corporate data.
Work Profile printing — quick troubleshooting tips
Most “printers not showing in Work Profile” cases are policy or missing managed print service.
Quick path: enable **Printing** in Work Profile restrictions → deploy **Mopria/HP Print Service** to Work via Managed Google Play → toggle the service **On** in Work Settings → ensure work apps reach corporate printers over IPP/IPP-TLS (Wi-Fi/VPN) → keep **DLP** boundaries in place. This resolves the majority of Android work profile printing issues across Intune/Workspace ONE/Knox.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
Why are printers hidden in Android Work Profile?
Most often **Printing** is disabled in the Work Profile device-restriction policy, or no **managed print service** is installed in Work. Re-enable printing, deploy Mopria/HP into the Work Profile, and ensure work apps can reach corporate IPP printers.
How do I enable printing for work apps only?
In your MDM (Intune/Workspace ONE/Knox), set **Printing = Allow** for Work Profile and deploy **Mopria Print Service** via Managed Google Play to the work side. Leave cross-profile sharing to personal blocked to maintain DLP.
Why does personal profile see printers but work doesn’t?
Personal side can use its own Mopria/plugin and networks (guest Wi-Fi). The Work Profile is isolated and may require corporate Wi-Fi/VPN and a **managed print service** to discover **corporate printers**.
Do I need Mopria or a vendor plugin in Work Profile?
Either works. **Mopria Print Service** is universal and easy to deploy to Work via Managed Google Play. Vendor plugins can also be published to Work if you standardize on a specific brand.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn — Device restriction settings for Android (Work Profile): Printing & data sharing
- Ivanti — Android Enterprise lockdown: Disallow printing and cross-profile controls
- Mopria — Print from Android (enable managed print service)
Filed under: Network security / VPN / office policies (advanced)
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