Printing documents or photos directly from your iPhone is incredibly convenient, and with AirPrint, Apple makes it seamless. This guide will walk you through how to effortlessly print from your iPhone or iPad to any AirPrint-enabled printer.
What You Need Before You Start Printing
Before you begin, there are a couple of essential things to check to ensure a smooth printing process from your iPhone:
- AirPrint-Enabled Printer: First and foremost, confirm that your printer supports AirPrint. You can usually find this information on the printer manufacturer’s website or in the printer manual. Look for the AirPrint logo or specification.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure both your iPhone or iPad and your printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Also, ensure that your devices are within a reasonable range of the Wi-Fi router for a stable connection.
Once you’ve confirmed these prerequisites, you’re all set to print wirelessly from your iPhone.
Steps to Print from Your iPhone Using AirPrint
Printing from your iPhone using AirPrint is a straightforward process. Just follow these simple steps:
- Open the Document or Photo: Begin by opening the app that contains the document, photo, email, or webpage you intend to print from your iPhone.
- Find the Print Option: Locate the print option within the app. This is typically found by tapping the Share button (it usually looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards) or an Actions button. In some apps, you might see a dedicated Print button directly in the menu. If you’re having trouble finding the print option, consult the app’s help section, as not every app supports AirPrint.
- Select Your Printer: When the print options appear, you’ll likely see “No Printer Selected”. Tap this, and your iPhone will search for available AirPrint-enabled printers on your Wi-Fi network. Choose your AirPrint-enabled printer from the list. For more information on compatible printers, you can visit Apple’s AirPrint support page.
- Configure Print Settings: Adjust your print settings as needed. You can usually select the number of copies, choose specific pages to print, and adjust other options depending on the app and the document type.
- Print: Finally, tap Print located in the upper-right corner of the print options screen to send your print job to the selected printer.
How to View or Cancel Your Print Job
Need to check the status of your print job or cancel it? iOS provides an easy way to manage your printing directly from your iPhone.
View a Print Job in Progress
View print jobs in Print Center on iPhone
To view your print job while it’s printing, you can access the App Switcher. To do this, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle of the screen (or double-click the Home button on older iPhones). Then, look for and tap on Print Center. This will show you the current print queue and the status of your print job.
Cancel a Print Job
If you need to cancel a print job for any reason, go back to the Print Center using the App Switcher as described above. In Print Center, tap on Cancel Printing. This will stop the print job from proceeding to your printer.
Important Notes About AirPrint
Keep these points in mind regarding AirPrint functionality:
- Network Connection: AirPrint relies on a Wi-Fi or wired network connection.
- USB and Bluetooth Limitations: AirPrint printers connected to the USB port of an Apple AirPort Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule, or connected to your computer via Bluetooth, are not compatible with AirPrint.
By following these steps, you can easily print from your iPhone wirelessly, making the most of Apple’s AirPrint technology for all your printing needs.
