Printing directly from your iPhone can be incredibly convenient, whether you’re dealing with important documents, photos, or web pages. Thanks to AirPrint, Apple’s technology, connecting your iPhone to a compatible printer is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through exactly how to add a printer to your iPhone and start printing wirelessly.
Before You Begin: Essential Checks
Before diving into the steps, there are a couple of crucial things to verify to ensure a smooth printing experience:
- AirPrint Compatibility: First and foremost, confirm that your printer supports AirPrint. Most modern wireless printers from major brands like HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother are AirPrint-enabled. You can usually find this information on the printer manufacturer’s website or in the printer’s manual. Look for the AirPrint logo or feature mentioned in the specifications.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Both your iPhone and your printer need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is how AirPrint facilitates wireless communication between your devices. Ensure Wi-Fi is enabled on your iPhone and that your printer is properly connected to your home or office network. Being within close range of your Wi-Fi router with both devices is also recommended for a stable connection.
Steps to Add and Use a Printer with AirPrint on iPhone
Once you’ve confirmed compatibility and network connection, adding and using your printer is a breeze:
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Open the Content to Print: Start by opening the document, photo, email, or webpage you wish to print from an app on your iPhone. This could be Safari, Photos, Mail, Files, or any other app that supports printing.
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Access 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 the Actions button (often represented by three dots). In some apps, you might find a dedicated Print icon or option directly in the menu.
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Find the Print Button: Scroll down through the share sheet or menu options until you see Print . Tap on “Print” to proceed to the printer selection and print settings. If you cannot find a print option, the app you are using may not support AirPrint. Check the app’s help section or user guide for more information.
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Select Your Printer: In the Printer Options screen, you will see “No Printer Selected” if you haven’t chosen a printer yet. Tap on “No Printer Selected.” Your iPhone will then search for available AirPrint-enabled printers on your Wi-Fi network. Choose your printer from the list of detected printers.
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Adjust Print Settings: After selecting your printer, you can customize your print job. You can choose the number of copies you want to print, the page range, paper size, and other printer-specific options like black and white or color printing, if available.
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Initiate Printing: Once you are satisfied with your settings, tap Print in the top-right corner of the screen. Your iPhone will send the print job wirelessly to your selected printer, and printing will begin.
Managing Your Print Jobs: View and Cancel
While your print job is in progress, you can easily monitor or cancel it if needed:
Viewing a Print Job
View print jobs in Print CenterTo view the status of your current print job, you can access the App Switcher. On iPhones with Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle. On iPhones with a Home button, double-click the Home button. Then, look for Print Center in the App Switcher and tap to open it. Print Center will show you the print job’s progress.
Canceling a Print Job
If you need to cancel a print job for any reason, access the Print Center through the App Switcher as described above. In Print Center, you will see the print job listed. Tap on “Cancel Printing” to stop the print job.
Important Considerations for AirPrint
- Network Type: AirPrint works seamlessly with Wi-Fi networks. However, printers connected via USB to an Apple AirPort Base Station, AirPort Time Capsule, or directly to your computer using Bluetooth are not compatible with AirPrint. The printer must be connected to the Wi-Fi network directly.
- Troubleshooting: If your printer is not showing up in the printer selection list, double-check that both your iPhone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network, and that AirPrint is enabled on your printer (if it has a setting to enable/disable it). Restarting both your printer and iPhone can also sometimes resolve connection issues.
By following these steps, you can easily add and use an AirPrint-compatible printer with your iPhone, making wireless printing from your mobile device a simple and efficient task.
