How to find a printer on your iPhone
Your iPhone can print to any wireless printer on the same WiFi network as your phone. To find it, open the app with the document or photo you want to print, tap the share button (usually three dots or lines), look for a Print option, and tap it. Your iPhone will show a list of printers it detects on your network. Tap the one you want, choose how many copies you need, and send the job.
The printer does not need special software or drivers on your iPhone. As long as your printer supports AirPrint — Apple's wireless printing standard — your phone will find it automatically when both devices are connected to the same WiFi. Most printers made in the last ten years support AirPrint, though some older or very basic models do not.
If your printer does not show up in the list, the most common reason is that it is on a different WiFi network than your iPhone, or the printer is turned off. Check that both devices are connected to the same network name, and that the printer is powered on and ready to print.
Key Takeaways
- Your iPhone finds printers through the Print menu in any app — open the document, tap share, and select Print.
- The printer must be on the same WiFi network as your iPhone and support AirPrint, which most modern printers do.
- If a printer does not appear, check that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network and the printer is powered on.
- You do not need to install apps or drivers on your iPhone to print — AirPrint handles the connection automatically.
Step-by-step: printing from your iPhone
Start with the app that holds what you want to print. This could be Photos, Mail, Safari, Notes, or any other app with a document or image. Open the specific photo or document you want to print.
Look for a share button. On most iPhones, this is a square with an arrow pointing up, usually in the top right or bottom of the screen. Tap it. A menu will appear with options like Message, Mail, and Copy. Scroll down until you see Print, and tap it.
A window labeled "Printer Selection" will open. It shows a list of printers your iPhone found on your WiFi network. Tap the printer you want to use. If you do not see your printer listed, skip to the troubleshooting section below.
Once you select a printer, you will see options for number of copies, page range (if printing a document), and color or black-and-white. Adjust these as needed, then tap Print in the top right corner. Your iPhone will send the job to the printer, and you should see a confirmation message.
What to do if your printer does not appear
The most common reason a printer does not show up is that it is not on the same WiFi network as your iPhone. Check your printer's display panel or settings menu to see which network it is connected to. Then go to Settings on your iPhone, tap WiFi, and confirm you are connected to the same network name.
If both devices are on the same network, restart the printer. Turn it off, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. This often clears temporary connection issues. While the printer restarts, you can also restart your iPhone by powering it off and back on.
If the printer still does not appear, check whether it supports AirPrint. Look up your printer model on Apple's AirPrint-compatible printers list on their website, or check your printer's manual. If it does not support AirPrint, you will need to use the printer manufacturer's own app instead — most printer makers offer free apps in the App Store that let you print through their own connection method.
Some printers require you to enter a WiFi password the first time you connect them to your network. Check your printer's manual or display screen to see if it is waiting for network setup. Complete the setup on the printer itself before trying to print from your iPhone.
Using a printer app if AirPrint is not available
If your printer does not support AirPrint, the manufacturer usually provides a free app. Search the App Store for your printer brand — for example, "HP Smart", "Canon Print", or "Epson iPrint" — and read the official app from the manufacturer.
These apps work differently from AirPrint. You open the app itself, select the document or photo from your iPhone's storage, and send it to print from within the app. The app handles finding and connecting to the printer, so you do not use the Print menu in other apps.
Manufacturer apps sometimes offer extra features that AirPrint does not, like printing from cloud storage or adjusting advanced printer settings. However, they require more steps than AirPrint printing, and you have to open the app each time you want to print.
Printing from email and web pages
You can print emails directly from the Mail app. Open the email, tap the three dots in the top right, scroll down, and tap Print. Select your printer and adjust settings the same way as printing from other apps.
To print a web page from Safari, open the page, tap the share button at the bottom, scroll down to Print, and select your printer. Safari will print the entire page by default, though some websites format better on paper than others.
Photos print the same way: open the Photos app, select the image, tap the share button, and choose Print. You can print one photo or multiple photos at once if you select them before tapping share.
Printing to a printer at work or school
If you want to print to a printer that belongs to your workplace or school, it must still be on a network your iPhone can access. Many offices use find networks that require a login or certificate. Ask your IT department whether the printer supports AirPrint and whether your iPhone can connect to the network it is on.
Some workplaces use print management systems that require you to authenticate at the printer itself before your job prints. In these cases, you send the print job from your iPhone, then walk to the printer and enter a code or scan a card to release it. Your IT department can explain how your workplace's system works.
If your workplace uses a proprietary printing system, they may provide an app or instructions for connecting. Ask your IT support team for the specific steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print from my iPhone to a printer that is not on WiFi?
No. Your iPhone can only print to printers on the same WiFi network. If you have a printer connected only by USB to a computer, you cannot print to it directly from your iPhone. You would need to email the document to someone with access to that printer, or connect the printer to your WiFi network.
Do I need to pair my printer with my iPhone like I do with Bluetooth speakers?
No. AirPrint printers do not require pairing. As long as your printer and iPhone are on the same WiFi network, your iPhone will find the printer automatically when you open the Print menu. You do not need to do any setup beyond connecting the printer to WiFi.
What if I want to print from an app that does not have a Print option?
Some apps do not include a Print button. In that case, you can take a screenshot of what you want to print, open the Photos app, find the screenshot, and print it from there. Alternatively, you can try emailing the content to yourself and printing from the Mail app.
Can I print to my printer if I am away from home?
Not directly. Your iPhone must be on the same WiFi network as the printer. If you are away from home and your home printer is on your home WiFi, your iPhone cannot reach it. Some newer printers support cloud printing through the manufacturer's app, which lets you print remotely, but this requires the printer to be set up with an account and internet connection.
Why does my printer print blank pages?
Check that your printer has paper loaded and that the ink or toner is not empty. If the printer has supplies, restart both the printer and your iPhone, then try printing again. If pages are still blank, the printer may have a hardware issue unrelated to your iPhone.