Using a 3D Printer With only a Phone

This method works for most 3D Printers from Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo, Prusa. Signed in users can request additional printers not currently supported by reaching out to contact@mattermanifest.com

People will generally tell you that you have to get a computer to use a 3D Printer, but that's not true anymore. This guide walks you through 4 simple steps on how to find, download and transfer files to your 3D printer using just your phone.

Transfer (.gcode) print files from your phone to your 3D Printer using an SD Card Reader

Step	Description	Example
1	Get an SD card reader for your phone. Make sure to get the right port based on your phone. The links below are provided for helpful reference - you do not need to get these specific ones. SD Card reader for a Phone with USB-C port Amazon SD Card reader for a Phone with Lightning port Amazon Your 3D Printer should come with an SD Card, if not these are a good option. Amazon
2	Find things you want to print. Most people start small with our collection of items that can be printed for less than $1 of filament Dollar Menu Get a print file (.gcode) and download it to your mobile device
3.a	From an iPhone • Plug your SD Card into your reader and connect it to your mobile device. • Open the Files App, and look for the downloaded (.gcode) file • Open the Browse tab and wait for your SD card to appear • Tap into your SD Card when it appears and paste to transfer the (.gcode) file to your SD card.
3.b	From an Android • Plug your SD Card into your reader and connect it to your mobile device. • Open the My Files App and look for the downloaded (.gcode) file in Downloads under Internal Storage • Copy any print files from Internal Storage to Your SD card
4	Remove your SD card from the reader and insert it into your 3D Printer to start printing

What Is Happening In The Background

There are a lot of 3D Model Files online (.stl, .3mf, .obj). But these will NOT work with your 3d printer as is. 3D Printers all run on (.gcode) files which is a file that provides a set of instructions breaking down the model into nozzle and filament movements for the printer as it builds a print up layer by layer. The process of converting 3D Model Files into Print Files is called slicing and normally accomplished by using a slicing software that is downloaded to your computer such as Cura, PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer.

While some people may prefer to dive into the technical nitty gritty to learn slicing and have full control to adjust 300+ printer settings to get the print they want, we know most people just want to print. Matter Manifest has slicers running on our servers which can automatically slice any file uploaded to our catalog for any of our supported printers. The (.gcode) print file is created and sent to you within 60 seconds. This is a relatively new way of using 3D Printers but it saves you the trouble of having to purchase a computer, run your own slicing software and also makes it easier for less technical users or younger 3D printer users.

Happy Printing!

Tag - Mobile