Set Up Zebra Printers using MQTT

Zebra printers now support configuration through MQTT, enabling seamless, connector‑less integration with the Workspace ONE UEM Console. A staging record must be created in the Workspace ONE UEM Console and deployed to printers to enroll devices. To integrate Workspace ONE UEM with the Zebra print server (MQTT), you must first complete OEM registration for Zebra printers in Workspace ONE UEM.

Prerequisites

Before beginning configuration, ensure the following requirements are met:

• Firmware: The Zebra printer must be running LinkOS v6.7 or later to support MQTT/TLS protocol. See Upgrading Printer Firmware below if an upgrade is required.

• Network connectivity: The printer must have a valid network connection via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. USB is used only to push the provisioning or configuration file.

• Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU): The ZSU application must be installed (this is needed only if the printer is not at 6.7 and an upgrade is required) on a Windows 10/11 PC or Windows Server 2019/2022/2025. It is required to load the LinkOS firmware and send the provisioning file to the printer.

• Provisioning file: The Workspace ONE UEM provisioning file must be downloaded to the device being used for enrollment (Windows PC or mobile device) before proceeding.

• Physical access: The printer must be powered on and connected to the PC via USB or wireless during initial setup.

Step 1: Upgrading Printer Firmware

(Optional—Required only if firmware version is below 6.7)

Zebra printers that support MQTT must be running LinkOS v6.7 or later prior to enrollment. To verify the current firmware version, print a Printer Configuration Report by following the key sequence described in your Zebra printer manual.

If an upgrade is required, follow this manual process:

1. Download the appropriate LinkOS v6.7+ firmware file from the Zebra Support Portal.

2. Open the Zebra Setup Utilities application and select the target printer from the list of installed printers.

3. Navigate to Settings > Send File, select the downloaded LinkOS firmware file, then click Send to perform the upgrade.

4. Wait for the printer to complete the firmware installation and reboot.

5. Print a new Configuration Report to confirm the LinkOS version is now 6.7 or greater.

Step 2: Printer Setup Wired (Driver Installation) and Wireless Configuration

Enrollement of a printer can can be carried out in two ways:

1. Using a Windows PC to physically connect (wired connection) to a Zebra printer and initiate enrollment.

2. Using a mobile device to connect to a Zerba printer via Bluetooth and initiate enrollment.

The requirements for each of the approaches are outlined below.

Install Printer Driver for Wired configuration

Installation of a Zebra printer driver is required to enable USB communication between your Windows PC and the Zebra Setup Utilities application.

Download the appropriate driver from the Zebra Support & Downloads page and follow the on-screen installation instructions.

Configure Wireless Connectivity

For printers that will enroll wirelessly, configure Wi-Fi settings using the Zebra Setup Utilities application before proceeding to enrollment:

1. Open the Zebra Setup Utilities application and select your printer from the list.

2. Click Configure Printer Connectivity.

3. Select the Wireless radio button, then click Next.

4. Follow the on-screen prompts in the Connectivity Setup Wizard to enter your Wi-Fi network credentials and complete the wireless configuration.

   Note: NFC connection is required for Wireless Connectivity

Step 3: Verify Zebra Printer Configuration in Workspace ONE UEM

Before you continue, ensure OEM registration is complete. If you are using Omnissa Hosted MQTT broker,

1. Navigate to All Setting > Device and Users > Printers and IoT > Printer Configuration.

2. Select MQTT broker.

3. Select your preferred broker to Default.

4. Click Save.

If you are using your own MQTT broker,

1. Navigate to All Setting > Device and Users > Printers and IoT > Printer Configuration.

2. Select MQTT broker.

3. Select your preferred broker to Custom.

4. Enter the required fields:

   • Host : Enter MQTT broker hostname
   • Port : Enter port number
   • Username: Enter Username
   • Password: Enter Password

5. Test connection to validation configuration.

6. Click Save.

Step 4: Create a Zebra Printer Staging Record

Navigate to Staging > Printers and IoT Staging.

You can view information on Printer and IoT staging with an explanation to what staging records are and the difference between MQTT and connector method to enroll a printer.

To configure the provisioning file, complete the following steps:

1. Select Add Staging Record (Ensure that the correct Organization Group is displayed at the top right corner of the page).

   

2. Enter a name for the staging record.

3. Device Type is set to Printer by default.

4. For Manufacturer, select Zebra.

5. Click Next.

   

6. Click Search User to select from existing user account or Create New User.

7. Enter the Device Name.

8. Select Organization group from drop-down.

9. For Asset number, select {Device Serial number} as the look up value, or select another value applicable to your organization.

10. Select a Tag from the drop-down list (Tag is an optional field).

11. Click Next.

12. Choose the method of provisioning Management type is set to MQTT by default.

13. Select the enrollment type between On Device Connection or Connect through phone app (To know more, read the Helpful device connection information).

14. Click Save.

    

15. Summary page displays the configuration completed, administrator can download the Provisioning file by clicking on Download Provisioning File or can view the provisioning file by clicking on View Provisioning File.

16. Click Close to exit the configuration page.

Step 5: Enroll a Zebra Printer using the Provisioning File

The provisioning file generated in the previous step is used to enroll the printer into Workspace ONE UEM. Enrollment can be performed from a Windows PC (via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) or from a mobile device (via Bluetooth).

Example:

• Use Windows PC (USB) when you have direct USB access to the printer.
• Use mobile device (Bluetooth) when provisioning from the Zebra mobile app.

Enroll using a Windows PC (USB)

Pre-enrollment checklist

• LinkOS v6.7 or later is installed on the printer.
• The printer has network connectivity (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
• The Workspace ONE UEM provisioning file is downloaded to the Windows PC.
• The printer is powered on and connected to the PC via USB.

Enrollment steps

1. Download the provisioning file from the Workspace ONE UEM console and save it to the Windows PC.
2. Open the Zebra Setup Utilities application and select the connected printer from the list of installed printers.
3. Click Open Connection.
4. Click File and navigate to the provisioning file downloaded in Step 1.
5. Click Send to Printer to push the provisioning file and start enrollment.
6. The Zebra printer will reboot and automatically enroll into Workspace ONE UEM.

For Windows devices, the Zebra Printer Setup Utilities can be downloaded from: https://www.zebra.com/ap/en/support-downloads/software/printer-software/printer-setup-utilities.html.

Enroll using a mobile device (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi)

1. Confirm that wireless connectivity has been configured as described in Step 2.

2. Download the provisioning file from the Workspace ONE UEM console and save it to the mobile device.

3. Download and install the ZQ2 Zebra Printer Setup for Android and Zebra Printer Setup Utility for Apple:

   • Android: Google Play Store
   • iOS: Apple App Store

4. Launch the application and establish a Bluetooth connection to the target printer.

5. From the Available Files menu, select the provisioning file downloaded in Step 2.

6. Tap Send when prompted by the application.

7. The Zebra printer will reboot and automatically enroll into Workspace ONE UEM.

Step 6: Verify Enrollment

Confirm that the enrolled printer appears in the Workspace ONE UEM console under Devices > List View.