Why I Keep Using RICOH Smart Device Print&Scan Despite Its Quirks
After spending a year managing print jobs from my Android phone at a small office, I’ve come to rely on RICOH Smart Device Print&Scan for one simple reason: it handles the awkward middle ground between mobile convenience and office-grade printing better than most tools. You can print PDFs and photos stored locally, from clipboard text, or even from a web page displayed inside the app itself. The real appeal is that it connects to RICOH MFPs on the local network via Bonjour discovery, so you rarely need to type an IP address manually. But don’t expect a plug-and-play miracle—the app expects you to understand a few network basics.
Where It Shines in Daily Workflows
When you need to turn a phone screenshot into a stapled document, this app actually delivers. The “print securely” option using user code authentication or Locked Print is a lifesaver in shared office environments—no more worrying about sensitive documents sitting on the output tray. I also use the scan function to import multi-page PDFs directly to my Dropbox or Google Drive. The resolution and file type settings are granular enough to keep scans readable without bloating the cloud folder. But here’s the catch: the app only reliably finds RICOH printers on the same subnet. If your network spans multiple floors with VLANs, you’ll need to manually register the printer by hostname, which isn’t as straightforward as Bonjour discovery.
Real Limitations You Need to Know
First, the “on-demand print” feature requires a separate server license (Enhanced Locked Print NX V2) that most small businesses don’t have. That’s a niche corporate add‑on, not a typical home-office tool. Second, the clipboard text printing works fine for short notes, but larger text blocks often cut off margins—you’ll need to adjust page layout manually. Third, the app’s interface feels dated. The icons are small, and the loading spinner appears for a second before almost every action. It’s not slow, but it reminds you that this is a corporate utility, not a consumer app polished for speed. If you primarily use HP or Canon printers, skip this—it only talks to RICOH devices.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Install This
If your office runs a fleet of RICOH MFPs and you constantly print from a phone or tablet, this app will save you trips to a PC. The cloud integration is solid, and the scan-to-email workflow works without extra plugins. But if you’re a home user with a single printer from another brand, or if you need to print from third‑party apps like Microsoft Word or Google Docs (the “send to printer” share sheet is hit or miss), you’ll hit frustration. I’ve had moments where a PDF opened from an email wouldn’t print because the app doesn’t natively parse all file formats. That’s not a dealbreaker—just a reason to always double-check file compatibility before hitting print.
