How to Print From Your iPhone to Any Printer

The two ways to print from your iPhone

You can print from your iPhone in two ways: AirPrint, which works wirelessly if your printer supports it, and third-party printer apps, which let you print to older printers or brands that don't have built-in AirPrint support. AirPrint is faster and requires no setup beyond connecting your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. If your printer doesn't support AirPrint, you'll need to download the manufacturer's app — Canon, HP, Epson, and Brother all offer free apps that handle printing.

The method you use depends on your printer's age and brand. Most printers made after 2010 have AirPrint built in. If you're not sure whether yours does, check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website by searching "[Your Printer Model] AirPrint support".

Key Takeaways

AirPrint works automatically if your printer supports it and is on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone — no app or setup needed.
To print with AirPrint, open the document or photo, tap Share, select Print, choose your printer, and tap Print.
If your printer doesn't support AirPrint, download the manufacturer's free app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, or Brother iPrint&Scan) and follow the in-app pairing steps.
Both methods require your iPhone and printer to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network; Bluetooth alone will not work for printing.

Printing with AirPrint (the fast way)

If your printer supports AirPrint, printing takes four steps. First, make sure both your iPhone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check your printer's display panel or settings menu to confirm the Wi-Fi name and password match what your iPhone is using.

Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print. Tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up) or the menu icon (three dots or lines). Scroll down and tap Print. A list of nearby printers will appear — select yours. If you don't see your printer, go back and check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

After selecting your printer, you can choose the number of copies and which pages to print. Tap Print in the bottom right corner. The print job will send to your printer immediately. Most printers start printing within seconds, though some may take up to a minute.

Printing with a manufacturer app (for older or unsupported printers)

If your printer doesn't support AirPrint, download the official app from the App Store. Search for your printer brand: HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan, Xerox Print Service, or Ricoh Smart Operation Panel. These apps are free and made by the printer manufacturers themselves.

Open the app and follow the pairing instructions. Most apps ask you to select your printer from a list of devices on your Wi-Fi network. Some require you to enter your printer's IP address, which you can find in the printer's settings menu or by printing a network configuration page directly from the printer. Once paired, the app will remember your printer for future use.

To print, open the document or photo in the app, tap Print, select your printer, and confirm. Some manufacturer apps also let you print directly from other apps by using the Share menu — after you install the app, Print may show the app as an option alongside AirPrint.

Troubleshooting when your printer doesn't appear

The most common reason a printer doesn't show up is that it's on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone. Check your printer's display panel or settings to see which network it's connected to. If it's on a guest network or a 5 GHz band while your iPhone is on 2.4 GHz, they won't see each other. Switch both devices to the same network band — most home routers let you do this in their settings.

If both devices are on the same network and the printer still doesn't appear, restart your printer by turning it off for 30 seconds, then back on. Restart your iPhone by powering it off and on. Then try printing again. If you're using an app, close it completely and reopen it.

For AirPrint printers, make sure AirPrint is enabled in the printer's settings menu. Some printers have a setting to turn AirPrint on or off. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's support page if you're unsure how to access this menu.

What to do if your printer is too old for AirPrint

Printers made before 2010 rarely support AirPrint. Your options are to download the manufacturer's app (if one exists for your model) or to use a third-party printing service like Google Cloud Print, though Google Cloud Print was shut down in 2021 and is no longer available.

If no manufacturer app exists for your printer, you can print by emailing documents to yourself and printing from a computer on the same network, or by upgrading to a newer printer. Many budget printers now cost less than $100 and include AirPrint support built in.

Printing photos and documents from different apps

The Print option works the same way across most iPhone apps. In Photos, open an image, tap the Share button, and select Print. In Mail, open an email, tap the menu icon, and select Print. In Safari, tap the Share button and select Print. In Notes, tap the menu icon and select Print. In PDF readers and document apps, look for a Share or menu button and select Print.

Some apps don't have a Print option built in. If you don't see Print in the Share menu, try opening the document in a different app — for example, open a PDF in Files or Safari instead of your email app, and Print should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi?

No. iPhone printing requires Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. Even if your printer has Bluetooth, it won't work for printing from your iPhone. Both your iPhone and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Do I need to pair my printer with my iPhone like I would with a Bluetooth speaker?

No. AirPrint printers don't require pairing — they appear automatically when you tap Print if they're on the same Wi-Fi network. Manufacturer apps may ask you to select your printer the first time, but this is not the same as Bluetooth pairing.

Can I print from my iPhone to a printer at work or a friend's house?

Only if your iPhone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as that printer. You cannot print to a printer on a different network. If you're visiting someone, connect your iPhone to their Wi-Fi, and their printer should appear in your Print menu.

What if I have multiple printers on the same network?

All of them will appear in your Print menu. Tap the one you want to use. If you print to the wrong printer by mistake, you can cancel the job from the printer's control panel or by opening Settings on your iPhone, tapping General, then Airprint Jobs (if available).

Will printing from my iPhone use a lot of data?

No. Printing happens over your local Wi-Fi network, not through your cellular data. The file is sent directly to your printer and doesn't go through the internet or your phone plan.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.