Setting up SimplyPrint on Bambu Lab A1 Mini: SimplyPrint Client method

SimplyPrint Client setup for this printer. Follow the steps to connect your Bambu Lab A1 Mini 3D printer to SimplyPrint.

Bambu Lab A1 Mini image
Back to Bambu Lab
  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Install the client
  • 3 Connect your printer

Set up the SimplyPrint Client for your Bambu Lab printer on:

The client runs on a device on your network and connects your Bambu Lab printer(s) to SimplyPrint. Pick the device it will run on below, it does not have to be the one you are using now.

Select the device that will run the client

This does not have to be the device you're browsing from right now.

You need a device that can stay turned on 24/7 to keep your printer(s) connected to SimplyPrint.

Don't have a dedicated device?
Most users get a Raspberry Pi (~$35-55): affordable, low-power, and built to run 24/7. Any old computer, mini-PC, NAS, or server works too.
Same network: the device must be on the same network as your printer(s). Questions? See the FAQ at the bottom of this page.
The device running the SimplyPrint Client must always be turned on, and on the same network as your printer(s). Your printer must also have a USB stick or micro SD card inserted for file transfers.

Raspberry Pi setup

Flash our ready-to-go image to a microSD card, no operating system to set up first. Works on Raspberry Pi 3, 4 and 5.

Hardware requirements:
  • Raspberry Pi 3, 4 or 5 (arm64 image for Pi 4 & 5, armv7l image for Pi 3)
  • 2 GB RAM (recommended minimum; less is possible with just a printer or two)
  • A microSD card (8 GB or larger) and a card reader
Setup:
  1. Insert the microSD card into your computer (use a USB card reader if it has no slot).
  2. Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager, then open it.
  3. Click "Choose OS" and use the SimplyPrint Client image - this is the easiest way:
    • If it is listed, pick "Other specific-purpose OS" → "3D printing" → "SimplyPrint" → "SimplyPrint Client OS".
    • Not listed? Download the image for your Pi, then choose "Use custom" in Pi Imager and select the downloaded file:
      arm64 image (Pi 4 & 5) armv7l image (Pi 3)
  4. Click "Choose storage" and select the microSD card (remove other USB sticks first so the wrong device is not picked).
  5. Click "Next", then on "Use OS customisation" click "Edit settings":
    • In the "Services" tab, enable "Enable SSH" and set a username and password (write these down, they are not stored for you).
    • Enable "Configure wireless LAN" and enter your WiFi name (SSID) and password, then set your "Wireless LAN country". Use the same network as your printers. If you use Ethernet, you can skip the WiFi part.
    • Click "Save".
  6. Click "Yes" to write the card (confirm overwriting it) and wait for it to finish. A file explorer or popups may open while flashing, that is normal, just ignore them.
  7. Put the card in the Pi and power it on. Give it a couple of minutes to boot.
  8. On your own computer (on the same network), open the client at http://<pi-ip>:8000.
    • Finding the Pi's IP: plug a screen into the Pi (it shows the IP on boot), log into your router and look for it, or use an IP scanner like Angry IP. Still stuck? See our helpdesk article.
The device running the SimplyPrint Client must always be turned on, and on the same network as your printer(s). Your printer must also have a USB stick or micro SD card inserted for file transfers.

Linux setup (x86_64 / aarch64 / armv7l)

Run the client on a Linux computer, mini-PC, or server.

Hardware requirements:
  • 2 GB RAM (minimum)
  • systemd support (most modern distributions have this)
Setup:
  1. Open a terminal window and run the following command: 
    sudo bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://download.simplyprint.io/client/install-linux.sh)"
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions. It installs the client as a systemd service (simplyprint-client.service) that starts on boot and keeps running in the background.
  3. Open the client interface: on your computer, open your browser and go to the client. This is where you'll link up the printer(s).
    • If the client runs on this computer: http://localhost:8000
    • If it runs on another device: http://<device-ip>:8000
The device running the SimplyPrint Client must always be turned on, and on the same network as your printer(s). Your printer must also have a USB stick or micro SD card inserted for file transfers.

macOS setup (Intel & Apple Silicon)

Run the client on a Mac. Download the installer for your chip:

Apple Silicon (M-series) Intel

Not sure which? Apple menu → About This Mac. A chip that starts with "Apple M" is Apple Silicon; an "Intel" processor is Intel.

Hardware requirements:
  • macOS 13 (Ventura) or newer, Intel or Apple Silicon
  • 4 GB RAM (minimum)
Setup:
  1. Download the installer for your Mac above and open it.
  2. Follow the installer: a welcome page, an optional "Start at login" choice, then finish.
  3. Allow it to run in the background and open on login:
    • If macOS says the app is from an unidentified developer, allow it in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
    • Open System Settings → General → Login Items.
    • Add SimplyPrint Client to "Open at Login", and enable it under "Allow in the Background" so it stays connected.
  4. The client runs with a menu-bar icon. Open it from the menu bar, or go to http://localhost:8000.

Prefer Homebrew? Run these in Terminal: 

brew install simplyprint/tap/simplyprint-client
brew services start simplyprint-client
The device running the SimplyPrint Client must always be turned on, and on the same network as your printer(s). Your printer must also have a USB stick or micro SD card inserted for file transfers.

Windows setup

Run the client on a Windows computer.

Download Windows installer (x64)
Hardware requirements:
  • Windows 10, 11 or newer
  • 4 GB RAM (minimum)
  • 64-bit processor (standard)
Setup:
  1. Download the installer above and run it.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions. Windows may warn you about the installer (common with new software): click "More info" then "Run anyway". Only install software from sources you trust.
  3. When setup is done you will see a SimplyPrint icon in your system tray. The client starts with Windows and runs in the background. Open it from the tray, or go to http://localhost:8000.

Prefer not to install? A portable zip build is also available, extract it and run simplyprint-client.exe.

The device running the SimplyPrint Client must always be turned on, and on the same network as your printer(s). Your printer must also have a USB stick or micro SD card inserted for file transfers.

Docker setup

Deploy the client on any system that runs Docker. The official image is on Docker Hub: simplyprint/simplyprint-client.

Setup:
  1. Create and run the container (host networking lets it reach printers on your LAN): 
    docker run -d --name simplyprint-client --network=host --restart=always -v simplyprint_data:/root/.config/SimplyPrint simplyprint/simplyprint-client
  2. To update, pull the latest image and restart the named container: 
    docker pull simplyprint/simplyprint-client && docker restart simplyprint-client
  3. Open the client interface in your browser: 
    http://localhost:8000
    or, if running on another device: 
    http://<device-ip>:8000
  1. Create a compose.yaml with the following content: 
    services:
  simplyprint-client:
    image: simplyprint/simplyprint-client
    container_name: simplyprint-client
    network_mode: host
    restart: always
    volumes:
      - simplyprint_data:/root/.config/SimplyPrint

volumes:
  simplyprint_data:
  2. Start the service: 
    docker compose up -d
  3. Updating: 
    docker compose pull && docker compose up -d
  4. Open the client interface in your browser: 
    http://localhost:8000
    or, if running on another device: 
    http://<device-ip>:8000
Chromebook is not recommended for running the client

Your Chromebook must stay turned on and awake at all times. If it sleeps, shuts down, or you close the lid, your printer goes offline.

Better alternative: Get a Raspberry Pi (~$35-55) to run 24/7. You can still use your Chromebook to access SimplyPrint - just let the Pi handle the always-on part!

Chromebook setup

Chromebooks can run our Linux-based client by enabling the Linux development environment (Crostini). If you still want to proceed, follow the steps below.

Video guide:
Setup:
  1. Enable Linux on your Chromebook:
    • Open Settings on your Chromebook.
    • Go to Advanced → Developers.
    • Turn on "Linux development environment".
    • Follow the setup wizard to install Linux (this may take a few minutes).
  2. Open the Linux terminal: once Linux is installed, find and open the "Terminal" app from your app launcher.
  3. Run the SimplyPrint installer: 
    sudo bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://download.simplyprint.io/client/install-linux.sh)"
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  5. Open the client interface in your browser at http://localhost:8000.

These devices cannot run the client

There is no way to use an iPad, tablet, phone, or similar device to run the client.

But you CAN use SimplyPrint on these devices! Once the client is running on a supported device (like a Raspberry Pi), you can control your printers from any device, including your iPad, Android tablet, or phone, via the SimplyPrint web and mobile apps. The client just needs to run on a separate, always-on device.
Why can't we make it work? These are hardware and operating system limitations beyond our control. If a workaround existed, we'd be the first to implement it!
Why these devices don't work:
Device Why it doesn't work
iPad / iPhone iOS doesn't allow apps to run the background processes the client needs.
Android phone / tablet Android aggressively kills background processes to save battery; the client would stop working within minutes.
Arduino / ESP32 / microcontrollers These are microcontrollers, not computers. They cannot run the client software.
Smart-home hubs Too limited and locked down; designed for specific tasks, not running arbitrary software.
The printer itself Many printers (e.g. Bambu Lab) have a closed ecosystem, so we cannot install software on them. The client runs on a separate device instead.
Only have a tablet or phone?
You'll need an actual computer. A Raspberry Pi 4 is the most affordable option at ~$35-55, small, low-power, and perfect for running the client 24/7.

Please select one of the supported platforms from the tabs above.

View Raspberry Pi setup (recommended)
Need help?
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Thousands complete this setup every week. Follow each step carefully - most issues come from skipping ahead.

Why some setups are tricky: Some manufacturers lock down their printers, requiring workarounds like custom firmware. If hardware is listed as required, there's no shortcut.

About support: Direct setup support is available for Enterprise & School plans. Our AI support bot can help everyone else just as effectively.

Community help: Join our Discord for community support and tips from other users.

Markdown version of this guide - paste into any AI assistant

That's it! You're all set

You're now ready to connect your printer and start using SimplyPrint.

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Common Questions

The SimplyPrint Client is a small app, made by us, that you run on a device on your network. It talks to your printers locally and bridges them to SimplyPrint, so you do not have to install anything on the printers themselves. One client can connect many printers across different brands at once.
Bambu Lab, Creality, Anycubic, Elegoo, Ultimaker, and Duet. You pick your brand during setup and follow the connection steps for it.
It depends on the printer. Some brands (such as Creality and Anycubic) can also connect directly on the printer with OctoPrint or Klipper, and you will see both options. The client is the simplest path and works the same across brands. For closed printers like Bambu Lab, the client is the only way in.
No. Mobile devices cannot run the background processes the client needs. Use an actual computer (Raspberry Pi, Mac, Windows, or Linux). Once the client is running, you can of course use phones and tablets to control your printers through the SimplyPrint web and mobile apps.
Yes. The client must be running whenever you want to start prints, monitor remotely, or use SimplyPrint features. If the device is off or asleep, SimplyPrint cannot reach your printer.

Tip: A Raspberry Pi uses very little electricity (about $5-10 per year) and is built to run 24/7.
Yes. A single client can connect many printers on the same network, including a mix of brands.
No. Prints run locally on the printer once files are sent. If the client or your internet connection goes down, an ongoing print keeps going.
No. Your printers only need to be on the same local network as the client. The device running the client does need internet access to reach the SimplyPrint servers.