The basic process depends on your phone type and printer model
Most phones can print wirelessly if your printer supports it — either through built-in mobile printing features or an app from the printer manufacturer. The exact steps differ between Android and iPhone, and between printer brands, but the general path is the same: connect your phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network, then add the printer through your phone's settings or the printer's app.
If your printer is older or doesn't have wireless capability, you have a few workarounds, though they're less direct. The fastest route is usually to check what your specific printer model supports before you start, since that determines which method will actually work for you.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network for wireless printing to work.
- iPhone uses AirPrint (built-in) or the printer manufacturer's app; Android uses Google Cloud Print, the manufacturer's app, or your printer's native mobile printing feature.
- You can find your printer's model number on the device itself or in the manual, then search the manufacturer's website to see what mobile printing options it supports.
- Older printers without Wi-Fi can sometimes print through USB adapters or by sending documents to cloud services, but these are slower than wireless printing.
How to add a printer on iPhone
iPhones use a feature called AirPrint, which is built into iOS and works with most modern printers. To use it, make sure your iPhone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then open the document, photo, or email you want to print, tap the Share button (usually a square with an arrow), scroll down and tap Print, and select your printer from the list.
If your printer doesn't appear in the list, it may not support AirPrint. Check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's website by searching for your model number. If AirPrint isn't supported, download the printer manufacturer's app from the App Store — brands like Canon, HP, Epson, and Brother all have their own apps that add mobile printing. Install the app, follow its setup steps to add your printer, and then you can print through that app instead.
If you still don't see your printer after checking both AirPrint and the manufacturer's app, restart your printer and your iPhone, then check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network. Sometimes a printer connects to a guest network or a different band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz) than your phone, which breaks the connection.
How to add a printer on Android
Android phones use Google Cloud Print or the printer manufacturer's app. To use Google Cloud Print, open Settings, go to Connected devices or Printers (the exact name varies by phone model), and tap Add printer or Add a service. Select Google Cloud Print, sign in with your Google account, and choose your printer from the list. Your printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network and registered with Google Cloud Print for this to work.
If Google Cloud Print doesn't show your printer, download the manufacturer's app instead. HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Xerox all have Android apps that let you print directly from your phone. Install the app, add your printer through the app's setup, and then print through the app when you need to. Some Android phones also have a built-in Print option in the Share menu — if you see it, tap it and select your printer.
Like iPhones, Android phones need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. If your printer doesn't appear after you've set it up, restart both devices and double-check that they're connected to the same network, not a guest network or a different Wi-Fi band.
Finding your printer's model number and checking what it supports
Your printer's model number is usually printed on a label on the back or bottom of the device, or in the manual. Once you have it, go to the manufacturer's website and search for your model. Look for a section called Support, Downloads, or Drivers, and check whether the printer supports AirPrint (for iPhone), Google Cloud Print (for Android), or the manufacturer's own mobile app.
If the printer is very old or doesn't support any wireless printing method, the manufacturer's website will usually say so. In that case, you have limited options: you can use a USB adapter (for Android phones that support USB-C or micro-USB printing), email documents to yourself and print from a computer, or use a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox to send files to a computer connected to the printer.
Troubleshooting when your printer doesn't appear
The most common reason a printer doesn't show up is that the phone and printer are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and your printer's network settings to confirm they're both connected to the same network name. Some printers have a small screen or button that shows the network they're on; if yours does, check it. If your printer is on a guest network and your phone is on the main network, they won't see each other.
If both devices are on the same network, restart your printer by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While it restarts, restart your phone as well. Once both are back on, try adding the printer again. If it still doesn't work, check whether your printer needs a firmware update — visit the manufacturer's website, download any available updates for your model, and follow their instructions to install them.
If you're using a manufacturer's app and the printer still won't connect, uninstall the app, restart your phone, and reinstall it. Sometimes the app's connection settings get stuck, and a fresh install fixes it. If none of these steps work, your printer may not support mobile printing at all, or it may be too old for your phone's operating system.
Using cloud services if wireless printing isn't an option
If your printer doesn't support wireless printing, you can still print by uploading documents to a cloud service. Save your document to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or iCloud, then open it on a computer connected to your printer and print from there. This isn't as fast as wireless printing, but it works with any printer that a computer can reach.
Some printers also support email printing — you can email a document to a special address associated with your printer, and it will print automatically. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if this feature is available for your model. If it is, you'll need to set it up through the printer's control panel or web interface first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy anything to print from my phone?
No. If your printer supports wireless printing, you don't need to buy anything — the feature is built into your phone and printer. If your printer doesn't support wireless printing and you want to use a USB adapter, that adapter costs between $10 and $30, but cloud printing or email printing are free alternatives.
Can I print to a printer that's not on my home Wi-Fi?
Not directly through wireless printing. If the printer is at work or a friend's house, you'd need to connect to that Wi-Fi network first. Some printers support printing over the internet if you set up a cloud printing account through the manufacturer, but this requires extra setup and isn't available on all models.
What if I have an old printer with no Wi-Fi?
You can use cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox to send documents to a computer connected to the printer, or use email printing if your printer supports it. Some Android phones support USB printing with an adapter, though this is less common. Check your printer's manual to see what options are available.
Will printing from my phone use my mobile data?
No, wireless printing uses your Wi-Fi connection, not your mobile data. Cloud printing and email printing do use data, but only to upload the document — the actual printing happens over Wi-Fi once the file reaches the printer or a connected computer.
Can I print from my phone to a printer at a store or library?
Some stores and libraries offer mobile printing through their own apps or services — CVS, Walgreens, and FedEx Office all have apps for printing photos and documents. Libraries sometimes support Google Cloud Print or their own printing system. Check the location's website or ask staff what printing options they offer.