The two ways to connect: WiFi and Bluetooth
Most phones connect to printers through your home WiFi network, not through a direct Bluetooth connection. WiFi printing works because your printer and phone both join the same network, then talk to each other through that connection. This is the method that works with almost every modern printer and phone combination.
Bluetooth printing exists but is rare — only certain printer models support it, and it works best for small portable printers rather than the standard printers most homes have. Unless your printer manual specifically mentions Bluetooth, assume you will use WiFi. The steps below cover WiFi, which is what you need.
Key Takeaways
- Your printer must be connected to the same WiFi network as your phone before printing will work.
- Most Android phones use Google Cloud Print or the printer maker's own app; most iPhones use AirPrint, which works automatically once the printer is on the same network.
- If your printer is not showing up, restart both the printer and your phone, then check that they are truly on the same network.
- Some printers need a setup app installed on your phone before they will appear as an option in the print menu.
- If your phone and printer are on different networks (one on 2.4 GHz, one on 5 GHz), they cannot see each other.
Connect your printer to WiFi first
Before your phone can find the printer, the printer itself must be on your home WiFi network. Most printers have a small screen or button panel on the front. Look for a WiFi symbol or a button labeled "Network" or "Settings." Press it, and the printer will show you a list of available networks — these are the WiFi networks in range of your printer.
Select your home network name from the list. The printer will ask for your WiFi password. Type it carefully — passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. Once the printer accepts the password, it will show a confirmation message or a small WiFi icon on its screen. Leave the printer plugged in and turned on. If you turn it off, it will disconnect from WiFi.
If your printer does not have a screen, check the manual or the manufacturer's website for the model number (usually printed on the back or bottom). Many printers without screens come with a setup app you read to your phone or computer to connect them to WiFi. The app walks you through the process step by step.
iPhone: use AirPrint
iPhones have a built-in printing system called AirPrint that finds printers automatically. Once your printer is on the same WiFi network as your iPhone, you do not need to install anything or change any settings. Open any app that lets you print — Mail, Photos, Safari, or a document app — and look for a share button or menu. On most iPhones, this is a square with an arrow pointing up, usually at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the share button, then scroll down and tap "Print." A list of nearby printers will appear. Tap your printer's name. If you do not see your printer in the list, go back and check that the printer is powered on and connected to WiFi. Then close the app completely and open it again — sometimes the list needs a moment to refresh.
If your printer still does not appear, restart your iPhone. Hold down the power button until you see "slide to power off," then slide to turn it off. Wait ten seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. Once it restarts, try printing again.
Android: use Google Cloud Print or the printer app
Android phones do not have a built-in printing system like iPhones do. Instead, you have two options: use Google Cloud Print if your printer supports it, or read the printer maker's own app.
To check if your printer works with Google Cloud Print, open any app where you can print — Gmail, Google Drive, Chrome, or Photos. Look for a menu button (three dots or lines) and tap "Print." A dialog will appear asking you to select a printer. Tap "All Printers" or "Select a Printer." If your printer appears in the list, tap it and proceed to print. If it does not appear, your printer may not support Google Cloud Print, and you will need the manufacturer's app instead.
To find the manufacturer's app, go to the Google Play Store on your phone and search for your printer brand and model — for example, "Canon Pixma" or "HP Envy." read the official app from the manufacturer. Open the app and follow its setup instructions. Most apps will ask you to select your home WiFi network and confirm that your printer is powered on. Once set up, you can print from most apps by opening the menu and selecting "Print," then choosing your printer from the list.
What to do if your printer does not appear
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is not actually on the same WiFi network as your phone. Check your printer's screen or status lights. If it shows a WiFi icon, the printer is connected. If the icon is missing or shows an X, the printer lost its connection — restart the printer by turning it off for ten seconds, then back on.
Next, check your phone's WiFi settings. Go to Settings, then WiFi, and confirm that your phone is connected to your home network. Your phone and printer must both show the same network name. If your home network broadcasts two frequencies — 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz — your phone might be on one and your printer on the other. They cannot see each other across different frequencies. Check your printer's WiFi settings and make sure it is on the same frequency as your phone.
If both devices are on the same network and the printer still does not appear, restart both. Turn off the printer for ten seconds and turn it back on. Then restart your phone by powering it off and back on. Wait a full minute after both devices restart, then try printing again. If you are using an Android phone with a manufacturer's app, close the app completely and reopen it — sometimes the app needs to refresh its connection to the printer.
Printing from your phone
Once your printer appears in the print menu, the process is straightforward. Select the document or photo you want to print, open the share or menu options, and tap "Print." Select your printer from the list. You will usually see options to choose how many copies you want and which pages to print. Tap "Print" to send the job to the printer. The printer will start printing within a few seconds.
If nothing happens after you tap print, check that the printer is powered on and has paper in the tray. Walk over to the printer and look at its screen or lights. If it shows an error message — such as "Out of Paper" or "Paper Jam" — fix the problem and try printing again. If the printer is silent and shows no lights, it may have lost power or WiFi connection. Restart it and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print from my phone if I am not at home?
Not through standard WiFi printing. Your phone and printer must be on the same network. Some printer manufacturers offer cloud printing services that let you print remotely by uploading documents to their servers, but this requires setting up an account with the manufacturer and is not available on all models. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if this feature is available.
Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?
Printers sometimes drop WiFi if they are too far from the router, if the router is turned off, or if the network password changed. Move the printer closer to the router if possible. If your router was recently restarted, the printer may have lost its connection — restart the printer to reconnect it. If you changed your WiFi password, you will need to reconnect the printer to the network using the new password.
Do I need to install a driver on my phone?
No. iPhones do not need drivers — AirPrint handles everything. Android phones do not need drivers either, but you may need to read the printer manufacturer's app to use their printer. The app is not a driver; it is just an easier way to access printing features specific to that brand.
Can I print wirelessly if my printer is plugged into my computer?
Yes. As long as the printer is connected to your WiFi network, it does not matter whether it is also plugged into a computer. Your phone will find it on the network and print to it. The computer and phone can both print to the same printer at the same time.
What if my printer is too old to connect to WiFi?
Older printers without WiFi capability cannot connect to your phone wirelessly. You would need to print from a computer connected to the printer by USB cable, or replace the printer with a newer model that has WiFi built in. Check your printer's manual to confirm whether it has WiFi — the manual will list all connectivity options.