The fastest way to print from your iPhone
Most iPhones print wirelessly using AirPrint, Apple's built-in printing system. Your printer and iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your printer must support AirPrint — nearly all modern printers do. Once connected, you open a document or photo, tap Share, select Print, choose your printer, and send it. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
If your printer is older or does not support AirPrint, you have two other paths: use the printer's own app (if it has one) or connect through a computer that is already set up to print. This guide covers all three methods so you can use whichever one matches your printer.
Key Takeaways
- AirPrint works on any iPhone running iOS 4.2 or later and requires only that your printer and phone share the same Wi-Fi network.
- To print with AirPrint, open the document or photo, tap the Share button, select Print, pick your printer, and tap Print.
- If your printer does not appear in the Print menu, restart both your printer and iPhone, then check that they are truly on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Older printers without AirPrint can print through the manufacturer's app or by printing from a Mac or PC connected to the same network.
- Some printers require you to enter a PIN or password the first time you print, which the printer displays on its screen or in its manual.
Check that your printer supports AirPrint
Before you start, confirm your printer can use AirPrint. Go to Apple's official AirPrint printer list at support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311. Search for your printer's brand and model — you can find the model number on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer, or in the printer's settings menu.
If your printer is listed, it supports AirPrint and you can skip ahead to the connection steps. If it is not listed, move to the section on using your printer's app or connecting through a computer instead.
Connect your iPhone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network
Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPrint to work. On your iPhone, go to Settings, tap Wi-Fi, and select your home network. Write down the network name so you can verify your printer is on the same one.
For your printer, the steps vary by brand, but most have a Wi-Fi setup button or a menu on the printer's screen. Press and hold the Wi-Fi button (usually marked with a wireless symbol) for three seconds until a light blinks. Then go to your printer's settings menu — use the arrow buttons on the printer itself — and select your Wi-Fi network from the list. Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted. The printer will show a confirmation message once it connects.
If your printer does not have a screen, check the manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact steps. Some printers have a small app you read to your computer to set up Wi-Fi, which is faster than using the printer's buttons.
Print a document or photo using AirPrint
Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print on your iPhone. Tap the Share button — it looks like a box with an arrow pointing up, usually at the bottom or top of the screen. Scroll down through the menu that appears and tap Print.
A new screen will open showing available printers. Tap the one you want to use. You will see options to choose how many copies you want and which pages to print. Tap Print in the bottom right corner. Your printer will start printing within a few seconds.
If you do not see your printer in the list, do not tap Print yet. Go back and restart both your iPhone and your printer — turn them off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then try again. If the printer still does not appear, check that both devices are truly on the same Wi-Fi network by looking at your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and your printer's network status screen.
Use your printer's app if AirPrint is not available
If your printer does not support AirPrint, the manufacturer usually offers a free app that lets you print from your iPhone. Go to the App Store, search for your printer's brand name plus "print" — for example, "Canon Print" or "HP Smart" — and read the official app from the manufacturer.
Open the app and follow its setup instructions to connect to your printer. Most apps ask you to select your Wi-Fi network and enter your printer's name or IP address. Once set up, you can print by opening a document or photo, tapping Share, and selecting the printer app instead of the Print option. The app will handle sending the job to your printer.
These apps often have extra features like scanning documents back to your phone or checking ink levels, so they are worth exploring even if you have AirPrint.
Print through a computer if your printer is not wireless
If your printer is connected only by USB cable to a Mac or PC, you can still print from your iPhone by using that computer as a bridge. On your Mac or PC, go to System Preferences (Mac) or Settings (Windows) and turn on printer sharing. The exact steps depend on your operating system, but the goal is to make your printer visible to other devices on your network.
Once sharing is on, your printer will appear in the Print menu on your iPhone just like an AirPrint printer would. This method is slower than direct AirPrint because the job travels from your iPhone to your computer to your printer, but it works with any printer that your computer can print to.
Troubleshoot when your printer does not appear
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is on a different Wi-Fi network than your iPhone. Check your printer's network status — usually found in its settings menu or on a status page you can print by pressing a button on the printer itself. Compare the network name to the one shown in your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings. They must match exactly.
If the names match but the printer still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off. Wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Try printing again.
If you have restarted both devices and they are on the same network but the printer still does not appear, check whether your printer actually supports AirPrint by looking it up on Apple's list again. Some printers require a firmware update to enable AirPrint — check the manufacturer's website and update your printer if a newer version is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy anything to print from my iPhone?
No. AirPrint is built into every iPhone and is free. You do not need to buy an app, a special cable, or a new printer. If your printer is already on your Wi-Fi network, you can print right away.
Can I print from my iPhone if my printer is in another room?
Yes, as long as both are on the same Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi reaches through walls, so your printer can be anywhere in your home. If your printer is very far from your router or in a basement, the connection might be weak — move the printer closer to the router if printing fails repeatedly.
What if my printer asks for a PIN when I try to print?
Some printers require a PIN the first time you print from a new device as a security measure. The printer will display the PIN on its screen or in a notification. Look at your printer's display, enter the PIN on your iPhone when prompted, and try printing again.
Can I print to a printer at my office or a friend's house?
Only if you are on the same Wi-Fi network. You cannot print to a printer on a different network from your iPhone using AirPrint. If you are at an office or friend's house, you would need to connect your iPhone to their Wi-Fi network first, and the printer would need to be on that same network.
Why does my printer keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?
Printers sometimes drop Wi-Fi connections if they are far from the router, if the router is overloaded, or if the printer's Wi-Fi module needs a restart. Move the printer closer to your router, restart the printer, or restart your Wi-Fi router by unplugging it for 10 seconds. If the problem continues, check the printer manufacturer's website for a firmware update.