printerProvider

This is for extensions that integrate with third-party printing services or manage printers in a corporate environment on ChromeOS.

Examples:

• An extension for a cloud printing service that allows users to print from their Chromebooks.
• A corporate extension that exposes and manages a fleet of network printers.

{
  "name": "My Cloud Print Service",
  "version": "1.0",
  "manifest_version": 3,
  "permissions": [
    "printerProvider"
  ],
  "background": {
    "service_worker": "background.js"
  }
}

Why is it low risk?

This permission allows an extension to add its own printers to the print menu, for example, a "Print to Cloud Service" option.

The risk is low because you are always in control. The extension can only see the contents of a document if you explicitly choose to print to the special printer it provides. It cannot see any other documents or access your other files or browsing data. You should still only use printer services from companies you trust with your documents.

The API is event-driven. This is a simplified conceptual example.

// background.js

// This event is fired when Chrome needs a list of available printers.
chrome.printerProvider.onGetPrintersRequested.addListener((resultCallback) => {
  // In a real app, you would discover or fetch this list.
  const myPrinters = [
    { id: 'printer1', name: 'My Cloud Printer A' },
    { id: 'printer2', name: 'My Cloud Printer B' }
  ];
  resultCallback(myPrinters);
});

// This event is fired when the user initiates a print job.
chrome.printerProvider.onPrintRequested.addListener((printJob, resultCallback) => {
  console.log(`Print job received for printer: ${printJob.printerId}`);
  console.log(`Document has ${printJob.document.byteLength} bytes.`);

  // Here, you would send the printJob.document (an ArrayBuffer)
  // to your printing service or the physical printer.

  // Report success or failure.
  resultCallback('OK'); // or 'FAILED'
});