How to Print From Your iPhone or iPad

Trying to print from your mobile Apple device can often feel like you’re a couple’s therapist. Why won’t they just learn to communicate with each other? It can seem like a hassle, but if you can get it to work, the convenience is undeniable.

In this guide, we’ll help take you through the process of printing from your iPhone or iPad with a couple of different methods that are sure to suit your needs.

Looking to offload content? Lucky for you, we have guides on how to transfer photos from an iPhone to your Mac or PC and how to import videos from an iPhone to a Mac.

How to print using Apple AirPrint

AirPrint-enabled apps let you create and print full-quality documents and graphics without the chore of installing drivers or configuring the printer queue. The requirements are rather minimal: You need any model iPad, an iPhone 3GS or later, or a third-generation iPod Touch — as well as the latest version of iOS and an AirPrint-compatible printer with the latest firmware. Check Apple’s AirPrint basic support page for a comprehensive list of all compatible devices, including popular models from Canon, Epson, HP, Samsung, Brother, and a ton of other manufacturers. AirPrint functionality is also the same across all iPhone models, which makes the software easy to use whether you have an iPhone 5 or an iPhone 11.

Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi

To use AirPrint, both your printer and iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Keep in mind there may be multiple networks available in an office setting and you might have to enable the AirPrint function depending on which one your printer is using. Check your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for more detailed instructions about how to turn on the function and connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Select the printer

Check the connection between your iPhone and the printer by opening an AirPrint-supported app such as Mail, Safari, or Evernote. Most apps will feature a familiar arrow that resembles a forward or reply email icon. Tap the icon, select Print, and your printer should appear as the selected device by default. Otherwise, tap Select Printer at the top and allow your iPhone to scan for nearby printers.

Step 3: Choose the number of copies

Select the number of copies you want to print by tapping the addition and subtraction arrows to the right of Copy. At least one copy is mandatory, but you can print up to a total of 99 pages at once if you’re feeling trigger-happy. You can also tap Options to reveal color options and which pages to print (if there are multiple pages).

Step 4: Print

Once you have selected the printer and the number of pages you want, hit Print in the top-right corner of the page. You can cancel your print job or check its status by double-tapping the Home button, choosing Print Center while in the App Switcher, and tapping Cancel Printing.

How to print using email

Did you think people were the only ones with email addresses? Many of Epson and HP’s new models feature HP ePrint or Epson Email Print for printing anywhere in the world by simply emailing a photo or document file to your printer’s assigned email. Once set up, the process is relatively easy and straightforward, merely requiring you to send an email from your iPhone to your email-compatible printer. This is obviously not an option for all users and printer models, but it is available for many models, such as the Epson Expression and WorkForce series, as well as most recent HP printers.

Step 1: Activate email printing

Assuming you have an email-compatible printer, the first thing you need to do is activate the email function. The enabling process will vary from device to device — Epson users are going to want to activate Epson Connect, for instance — but the entire process should be outlined in greater detail in your printer’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. The printer will be assigned a default email address upon activation, which will likely amount to a series of random characters at a specified domain name, but you can change this later to something you will actually remember. Although your iPhone doesn’t need to be connected to the same wireless network as your printer to use email printing, the printer will still be required to connect via Wi-Fi as opposed to a standard USB cable.

Step 2: Print

If set up properly, all you need to do is email a document or image from your iPhone to your printer and it will automatically print the file to the default specifications — typically letter size on plain paper unless you adjusted the default settings during activation. Your printer won’t accept all file formats but should be able to handle files from Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, as well as JPEGs, GIFS, and PNGs, among others. Check your printer for details regarding acceptable file formats, size, and the number of printable attachments you can include per email.

How to print using other software

If neither AirPrint nor e-mail printing are viable options, you can always settle for software directly from your printer’s manufacturer or another third-party source. We recommend snagging Presto (formerly FingerPrint) and downloading the free iOS app, which is compatible with nearly all printers. There is a version available for Android and Chrome that allows you to print from devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer and printer.

Alternatively, you can use your printer manufacturer’s free proprietary app, such as Epson iPrint or Samsung Mobile Print. However, we cannot guarantee that the printing apps will work for all printer models, nor do all manufacturers have an accompanying app for their products.

Step 1: Download and install the application

Once you decide on an application, head to the manufacturer’s website or the app’s corresponding page in the App Store. Then download and install the app.

Step 2: Launch the application

Next, launch the application either on your computer or iPhone.

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi

To use Presto, both your printer and iPhone must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, whether you’re using a wireless printer or one physically connected to a computer that uses Wi-Fi. Check your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for more detailed instructions on how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Presto also has a feature known as Magic Queue that allows you to save print jobs until you’re connected to Wi-Fi again. It’s perfect for those situations where you have something to print but aren’t near a network or printer. To enable the feature, begin by launching an app like Notes or one that has a box with an arrow pointing out of it icon. Tap said icon, select the More option, and toggle Presto on. When you have something you want to save, hit the same box icon in the top-right corner, then tap Presto. You will be directed to a new page where Presto’s Magic Queue has already been chosen as the default printer. Hit Print to save your print job.

Step 4: Select the printer

Check the connection between your iPhone and the printer by opening an app such as Mail, Safari, or Evernote. Most apps will feature a familiar arrow that resembles a forward or reply icon, or a box with an arrow pointing up. Tap the icon, select Print, and your printer should appear as the selected device by default. If not, tap Select Printer at the top and allow your iPhone to scan any printers you checked in Step 2. Also, your computer must be awake to access the printer.

Step 5: Choose the number of copies

Select the number of copies you want to print by tapping the addition and subtraction arrows to the right of Copy. At least one copy is mandatory, but you can print up to a total of 99 pages at once if you’re feeling trigger happy.

Step 6: Print

Once you’ve selected the printer and the number of pages you want, hit the Print button in the top-right corner of the page. You can cancel your print job or check its status by double-tapping the Home button to bring up the App Switcher and choosing Print Center, or the print summary equivalent for the app you’re using.

How to print with Google Cloud Print

You can do nearly anything with Google, and printing is no exception. You can use Google Cloud Print to print from any Google app including the Chrome browser, Gmail, or Google Docs. You just need to be signed in to your Google account. You can also print other things via Google Cloud Print by using a third-party app.

Step 1: Get a Google account

If you have somehow made it this far without creating a Google account, make one now by going to Google and clicking Sign Up. Then, follow the steps to create a profile.

Step 2: Download the PrintCentral Pro app for your iPad or iPhone

Cloud Print only works on certain Google apps and there’s no Google Cloud Print app for iOS. Instead, you can use PrintCentral Pro. Thankfully, the app is available for $6 from the App Store. Once downloaded, launch it.

Step 3: Choose something you want to print

Pull up the menu above and left of the PrintCentral app denoted by three horizontal lines, and select a file, image, email, or webpage to print. If you need to print an email, you’ll have to sync your email account. With files, you have to add them to the iCloud, and with images, Google will request access to them. Once you’ve located your printing material, go to the top-right corner and tap the printer icon.

Step 4: Add printers

Your device will redirect you to the Printer (WiFi) page. Go to the top-right corner and tap the addition sign to add a printer, and below that should be Google Cloud Printing. Select Google Cloud Printing, enter your Gmail address, then hit the blue button that says Save.

Step 5: Print

If everything goes according to plan, Google Cloud Printing will select, and your device will direct you to a print page. You’ll see what you’re trying to print at the top of the screen. You’ll see two options to Save to Google Drive and another to alter your printer settings. The bottom of the page will show options to Preview, Print, and Print Later if everything looks good.

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