The basic steps depend on your phone type and printer model
Adding a printer to your phone means setting up a wireless connection so your phone can send documents, photos, or emails directly to print. Most modern printers and phones do this through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the process takes about five minutes once you know which method your printer supports.
The fastest route is usually the printer manufacturer's app — HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all have free apps that handle the connection and let you print from anywhere on your network. If your printer is older or you prefer not to install an app, your phone's built-in printing system (AirPrint for iPhones, Google Print for Android) can often find the printer automatically once both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Key Takeaways
- Most printers connect through Wi-Fi, which requires both your phone and printer to be on the same network — check your printer's display screen or manual to confirm it is connected.
- iPhones use AirPrint (built in, no app needed), while Android phones use Google Print or the printer manufacturer's app.
- The printer manufacturer's app — HP Smart, Canon Print, Epson iPrint, or Brother iPrint&Scan — is the most reliable method and works even if your printer is older.
- Bluetooth printing is slower and less common, but works if your printer supports it and you do not have Wi-Fi available.
- Once connected, you print from any app by opening the share menu, selecting print, and choosing your printer from the list.
Check your printer's Wi-Fi connection first
Before you touch your phone, make sure your printer is actually connected to your Wi-Fi network. Look at the printer's display screen — most modern printers show a Wi-Fi icon or network status. If you see a Wi-Fi symbol with bars, the printer is connected. If the screen shows "No Network" or no Wi-Fi icon at all, your printer is not yet on the network.
If your printer is not connected, use the printer's menu buttons to find Wi-Fi settings. The exact steps vary by brand, but you are usually looking for a "Network" or "Settings" option. The printer will show you a list of available networks — select your home or office Wi-Fi network and enter the password. Once the printer confirms the connection, you can move to your phone.
If your printer does not have a display screen, check the manual or look for a Wi-Fi button on the printer itself. Some printers have a small button you hold down to enter pairing mode, which makes them visible to your phone for a few minutes.
Add the printer using your iPhone
iPhones have AirPrint built in, which means you do not need to read anything. Open any app where you can print — Mail, Photos, Safari, or a document app — and tap the share button (usually a square with an arrow). Scroll down and tap "Print."
On the print screen, tap "Select Printer" at the top. Your iPhone will search for printers on your Wi-Fi network and show a list. Tap your printer's name when it appears. If your printer does not show up, make sure both your iPhone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network — check your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name matches what you saw on the printer.
Once you select the printer, adjust the number of copies and any other settings, then tap "Print" in the bottom right corner. The job will send to your printer when ready. If nothing prints after 30 seconds, open your printer's menu and look for a "Jobs" or "Queue" option to see if the print job arrived but failed.
Add the printer using an Android phone
Android phones use Google Print, which is built into most Android devices. Open any app where you can print — Gmail, Google Drive, Photos, or Chrome — and tap the three-dot menu button. Look for "Print" or "Print and Preview."
Tap "Print," then tap "Select a Printer" at the top. Android will show a list of printers on your Wi-Fi network. If you see your printer, tap it and proceed to set the number of copies and other options. If your printer does not appear, tap "All Printers" to expand the search, or tap the three-dot menu and select "Add Printer" to search again.
If your printer still does not show up, read the printer manufacturer's app instead — HP Smart, Canon Print, Epson iPrint, or Brother iPrint&Scan. These apps are more reliable for older printers and often include extra features like scanning documents back to your phone. Search for your printer brand in the Google Play Store, install the app, and follow the setup wizard to connect.
Use the printer manufacturer's app for the most reliable connection
If AirPrint or Google Print do not find your printer, or if your printer is more than five years old, the manufacturer's app is your best option. read HP Smart (for HP printers), Canon Print (for Canon), Epson iPrint (for Epson), or Brother iPrint&Scan (for Brother) from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the app and tap "Add Printer" or a plus button. The app will search for printers on your network. When it finds yours, tap it to connect. Some apps ask you to enter your printer's IP address if the automatic search fails — you can find this on the printer's display screen or in the printer's settings menu under "Network" or "Wi-Fi."
Once the app confirms the connection, you can print directly from that app. Many manufacturer apps also let you scan documents using your phone's camera and send them to your printer, or print photos with better color control than the standard print dialog. Check the app's menu to see what features are available.
Connect via Bluetooth if Wi-Fi is not available
Some printers support Bluetooth printing, which is useful if you do not have Wi-Fi or want to print without connecting to a network. Not all printers have Bluetooth — check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm.
To connect via Bluetooth, turn on your phone's Bluetooth and go to Bluetooth settings. Put your printer into pairing mode — usually by holding a Bluetooth button on the printer for three to five seconds until a light blinks. Your phone should show the printer's name in the Bluetooth list. Tap it to pair.
Once paired, open the printer manufacturer's app and look for a Bluetooth option in the settings. Some apps automatically detect the Bluetooth connection, while others require you to manually select it. After that, printing works the same way — open an app, tap print, select your printer, and send the job.
Troubleshoot if your printer does not appear
If your printer is not showing up on either your phone or in the manufacturer's app, start with the basics: restart both your phone and printer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your phone. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent discovery.
Next, confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and note the network name. On your printer, check the display screen or print a network status page (usually found in Settings or Network menus) to verify the printer is connected to the same network. If they are on different networks — for example, if your printer is on a guest network and your phone is on the main network — they cannot see each other.
If the printer is connected but still does not appear, try "forgetting" the printer from your phone and reconnecting. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the printer, tap the info button, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth, find the printer, and tap "Forget." Then restart the discovery process in your phone's print settings or the manufacturer's app.
If nothing works after these steps, restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Wait two minutes for it to fully restart, then try the printer discovery again. If your printer is still not found, check the printer manufacturer's support website for your specific model — some printers require a firmware update or have known compatibility issues with certain phone models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print to a printer that is not on my home Wi-Fi?
Yes, if the printer is connected to the internet and the manufacturer's app supports cloud printing. HP Smart, Canon Print, and Epson iPrint all allow you to print to your printer from anywhere if you create an account in the app and enable remote printing in the printer's settings. The printer must be powered on and connected to Wi-Fi, but it does not have to be on the same network as your phone.
Why does my printer show up on my phone but nothing prints?
The most common cause is that your phone and printer lost connection during the print job. Restart both devices and try again. If the problem continues, check that your printer has paper and is not showing an error message on its display. Some printers also have a job queue that fills up — look in the printer's menu for a "Jobs" or "Queue" option and clear any stuck jobs.
Do I need to install the manufacturer's app if AirPrint or Google Print works?
No, but the manufacturer's app often includes features that the standard print dialog does not — like scanning, better photo printing, or the ability to print from anywhere on the internet. If the built-in printing works for what you need, you do not have to install anything extra.
What if my printer is very old and does not support Wi-Fi?
Older printers without Wi-Fi can sometimes be shared through a computer on your network. If you have a Mac or PC connected to the same Wi-Fi as your phone, you can set up printer sharing on that computer and print through it. The exact steps depend on your computer's operating system — check Apple or Microsoft support for "printer sharing" instructions for your specific system.
Can I print from my phone without being on Wi-Fi?
Only if your printer supports Bluetooth and you pair it directly to your phone, or if you use cloud printing through the manufacturer's app (which requires the printer to be on Wi-Fi, but your phone does not have to be). Standard Wi-Fi printing requires both devices to be on the same network.