The fastest way depends on your printer model and phone type

Most Canon printers connect to phones through Canon's PRINT app, which works on both iPhone and Android. The app finds your printer on your home Wi-Fi network and lets you print photos, documents, and web pages directly from your phone without a computer in between. Some newer Canon printers also support Apple AirPrint or Google Cloud Print, which means you can print without installing any app at all — your phone's built-in print menu finds the printer automatically.

The connection happens over your Wi-Fi network, not through a cable or Bluetooth. Your printer and phone both need to be on the same network. If your printer is older or doesn't have Wi-Fi built in, you cannot connect it directly to a phone.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Canon PRINT app on your phone, turn on your printer, and make sure both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
  • The app will search for your printer automatically — you do not need to enter an IP address or password unless your network requires it.
  • If your Canon printer supports AirPrint (most models from 2016 onward) or Google Cloud Print, you can print through your phone's native print menu without the app.
  • If your printer is not found, restart both devices, check that Wi-Fi is on, and confirm they are on the same network — not a guest network.

Setting up the Canon PRINT app on iPhone or Android

Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and search for "Canon PRINT". read the official app made by Canon Inc. — not a third-party app with a similar name. Open the app once it finishes installing.

Turn on your Canon printer and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled. On most Canon printers, you press the Wi-Fi button on the front panel or look for a Wi-Fi icon on the printer's screen. Your phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer — if you are on a guest network and the printer is on the main network, they will not see each other.

In the Canon PRINT app, tap the button to add a printer (usually a plus sign or "Add Printer"). The app will scan your Wi-Fi network and display any Canon printers it finds. Tap your printer's name when it appears. If the app asks for a password, enter your Wi-Fi password — not a printer password. Once connected, the printer will stay paired to the app even after you close it.

Printing a photo or document through the app

Open the Canon PRINT app and tap the print icon. You can then choose to print a photo from your phone's camera roll, a document from your files, or a web page. Select what you want to print and tap it.

The app will show you a preview of what will print. You can adjust the number of copies, choose color or black and white, and select paper size if your printer supports multiple sizes. Once you are ready, tap the print button. Your printer will receive the job and start printing within a few seconds.

Using AirPrint on iPhone or iPad

If your Canon printer supports AirPrint, you do not need the Canon PRINT app at all. Most Canon PIXMA and imagePROGRAF models made in 2016 or later have AirPrint built in. To check, look at your printer's manual or visit Canon's website and search your model number.

Open any app on your iPhone or iPad — Photos, Safari, Mail, or a document app. Tap the share button (usually three dots or a square with an arrow), then look for "Print" in the menu. Tap Print, then tap "Select Printer". Your Canon printer should appear in the list if it is on the same Wi-Fi network. Tap it to select it, adjust copies and color settings if needed, then tap "Print".

AirPrint works the same way across all apps on iPhone and iPad, so once you know how to do it in one app, you can print from any app that supports printing.

Using Google Cloud Print on Android

Google Cloud Print was a service that let Android phones print to any printer registered to a Google account. Google shut down Cloud Print in December 2020, so this method no longer works. If you have an older Android phone that still shows Cloud Print as an option, that feature will not function.

For Android phones, use the Canon PRINT app instead. It works the same way as on iPhone and does not require a Google account.

What to do if your printer does not appear in the app

Restart both your phone and printer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On your phone, close the Canon PRINT app completely (swipe it away in your app switcher), then open it again. This clears temporary connection problems that often prevent discovery.

Check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm the network name. Then check your printer's Wi-Fi settings — on most Canon printers, press the Wi-Fi button or look at the printer's screen to see which network it is connected to. If one device is on a guest network and the other is on the main network, they cannot see each other. Switch both to the main network.

If your printer still does not appear, restart your Wi-Fi router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Then try the app again. If the printer is very old or does not have Wi-Fi capability, it cannot connect to a phone — you would need a computer or a newer printer with Wi-Fi built in.

Printing from email or web browsers

In Gmail on your phone, open an email, tap the three-dot menu, and look for "Print". Tap it and select your Canon printer from the list. In Safari on iPhone, open a web page, tap the share button, scroll down and tap "Print", then select your printer. In Chrome on Android, open a web page, tap the three-dot menu, tap "Print", and select your Canon printer.

The process is the same whether you use the Canon PRINT app or AirPrint — your phone's print menu finds the printer on your Wi-Fi network and sends the job to it. You do not need to do anything special on the printer itself; it will receive and print the job automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print to my Canon printer over cellular data instead of Wi-Fi?

No. Your phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network to communicate. Cellular data does not create a connection between them. If you are away from home, you cannot print to your home printer unless you use a service like Canon's cloud printing feature (available on some newer models), which requires setting it up in advance through Canon's website.

Do I need a Google account or Apple ID to print?

No. The Canon PRINT app does not require any account. AirPrint on iPhone does not require an account either. You only need to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. If you want to use Canon's cloud printing feature to print remotely, that does require a Canon account, but basic printing at home does not.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from the app?

This usually means your Wi-Fi signal is weak or your printer is too far from the router. Move the printer closer to your router or remove obstacles between them. If the problem continues, restart your router and printer, then reconnect. Some older Canon printers also have a timeout feature that disconnects after a period of inactivity — this is normal and the printer will reconnect when you try to print again.

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

Only if your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as that printer. If you are visiting a friend, connect to their Wi-Fi, and the Canon PRINT app will find their printer if they have one. At work, you would need to connect to the workplace Wi-Fi network, though some workplaces restrict printing from personal phones — check with your IT department first.

What if my Canon printer is very old?

Printers without built-in Wi-Fi cannot connect to phones. If your printer has a Wi-Fi button or a Wi-Fi icon on its screen, it has Wi-Fi. If it only has a USB port and an ethernet port, it does not. You would need to upgrade to a newer Canon printer with Wi-Fi to print from a phone.