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 your phone can see the printer without installing an extra app.
The connection process takes about five minutes if your printer and phone are already on the same Wi-Fi network. If they are not, you will need to connect your printer to Wi-Fi first — most Canon printers have a button or menu option to do this, and the printer will display the Wi-Fi networks it can see.
Key Takeaways
- Canon's PRINT app is the most reliable way to connect any Canon printer to a phone, and it is free to read from the App Store or Google Play.
- Your printer and phone must be on the same Wi-Fi network; if your printer is not yet connected to Wi-Fi, use the printer's menu or buttons to add it first.
- Newer Canon printers may support AirPrint (iPhone) or Google Cloud Print (Android), which means you can print without downloading the PRINT app.
- If the app cannot find your printer, check that both devices are truly on the same network and that your printer is powered on and not in sleep mode.
Setting up your printer's Wi-Fi connection
Before your phone can talk to your printer, the printer itself needs to be on Wi-Fi. Look for a Wi-Fi button or icon on your Canon printer's control panel — it usually looks like a fan or radio waves. Press and hold it for a few seconds until the Wi-Fi light blinks or the screen shows "Searching for networks."
The printer will display a list of Wi-Fi networks it can see. Select your home network from the list, then enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's buttons or touchscreen. Once the printer connects, the Wi-Fi light will stay on steady rather than blinking. Write down the printer's name (usually printed on the device itself or shown on the screen) — you will need it when you set up your phone.
If your printer does not have a Wi-Fi button, check the manual or the printer's menu system. Some models require you to go into Settings or Network Setup through the touchscreen. Canon's website has model-specific instructions if you get stuck.
Installing and opening the Canon PRINT app
read Canon PRINT from the App Store (for iPhone) or Google Play (for Android). The app is free and takes less than a minute to install. Open the app after installation — it will ask for permission to access your phone's photos and location, which you can allow or skip depending on what you want to print.
When you first open the app, it will show a screen that says "Add Printer" or displays a plus sign. Tap this button. The app will search your Wi-Fi network for Canon printers and display any it finds. Select your printer from the list — it will be labeled with the printer's model name or the name you gave it when you set up Wi-Fi.
Once you select the printer, the app will confirm the connection and show you a home screen with options to print photos, documents, or scan from the printer back to your phone. You are now ready to print.
Printing a photo or document from your phone
Open the photo or document you want to print on your phone. Look for a share button (usually three dots, a square with an arrow, or lines) and tap it. Scroll through the options until you see "Print" — if you do not see it, tap "More" or "More options" to find it.
When you tap Print, your phone will show a list of available printers. Select your Canon printer. You will then see options to choose the number of copies, paper size, and color or black-and-white. Make your choices and tap the print button (usually labeled "Print" or showing a printer icon). The job will send to your printer, and printing should start within a few seconds.
If nothing happens, check that your printer is powered on and not displaying an error message on its screen. Paper jams, low ink, or a closed paper tray will stop the printer from printing even if the phone sent the job successfully.
Using AirPrint or Google Cloud Print instead
If you have an iPhone and your Canon printer is newer (generally 2016 or later), you may be able to print using AirPrint without installing the PRINT app. AirPrint is built into iOS, so you just open a photo or document, tap Share, select Print, and choose your printer. Your phone will find the printer automatically if it is on the same Wi-Fi network.
Android phones can use Google Cloud Print on some Canon models, though Google has been phasing this out. If your printer supports it, you can set it up through your Google account and print from anywhere, not just your home network. Check your printer's manual or Canon's website to see if your specific model supports either of these options.
The PRINT app works on more Canon models than AirPrint or Google Cloud Print, so if you are not sure whether your printer supports the other methods, the PRINT app is the safest choice.
Troubleshooting when the app cannot find your printer
If the PRINT app searches but does not show your printer, the most common cause is that your phone and printer are not on the same Wi-Fi network. Check your phone's Wi-Fi settings and confirm you are connected to your home network. Then check your printer's screen or control panel to confirm it shows a Wi-Fi connection — if the Wi-Fi light is off or blinking, the printer is not connected yet.
If both devices are on the same network, restart both the printer and your phone. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then close the PRINT app on your phone and reopen it. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent the app from seeing the printer.
If the printer still does not appear, check that your printer is not in sleep mode or displaying an error message. Some Canon printers go to sleep after a period of inactivity and will not respond to network requests until you press a button on the printer itself. If you see an error code on the printer's screen, write it down and search for it on Canon's support website along with your printer's model number.
Printing from outside your home network
The PRINT app normally only works when your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as your printer. If you want to print from a coffee shop, office, or anywhere else, you have two options: use a mobile hotspot from your printer (if your printer supports it) or use Canon's cloud printing service.
Some newer Canon printers have a mobile hotspot feature that creates its own Wi-Fi network your phone can join directly, without needing your home router. Check your printer's manual to see if this is available on your model.
Alternatively, you can set up Canon's cloud service through the PRINT app settings. This lets you send print jobs to your printer from anywhere, and the printer will print them when it comes back online at home. The setup process varies by printer model, so follow the instructions in the app or on Canon's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy anything or pay a subscription to print from my phone?
No. The Canon PRINT app is free, and printing from your phone uses the same ink and paper as printing from a computer. There are no subscriptions or hidden fees.
Can I print to my Canon printer from my phone if I do not have Wi-Fi?
Not with the standard setup. Your printer and phone both need to be on the same network. Some newer Canon printers support Bluetooth or can create their own Wi-Fi hotspot, but most require Wi-Fi. Check your printer's manual to see what connection methods it supports.
Why does my printer show up in the app but will not actually print?
Check that your printer has paper loaded, the paper tray is closed, and there are no error messages on the printer's screen. Also confirm that the printer is not in sleep mode — press any button on the printer to wake it up. If the printer is on and ready but still will not print, restart both devices and try again.
Can I print from my phone to a Canon printer at someone else's house?
Only if you connect to their Wi-Fi network. The PRINT app finds printers on the same network, so you would need to join their home Wi-Fi, then add their printer through the app. You cannot print to a printer on a different network unless the printer supports cloud printing and you have set that up in advance.
What if my Canon printer is very old — will the PRINT app still work?
The PRINT app works with most Canon printers made in the last 10 years, but very old models may not be supported. Check the app's compatibility list on the App Store or Google Play, or search for your printer model on Canon's website. If your printer is not supported, you may need to print through a computer instead.