The fastest way: use AirPrint if your printer supports it

If your printer is made in the last ten years and cost more than $100, it almost certainly supports AirPrint, Apple's wireless printing standard. AirPrint printers connect to your Wi-Fi network the same way your Mac does, and your Mac finds them automatically — no driver installation, no setup software, no cables.

To print using AirPrint: open the document or photo you want to print, press Command+P to open the print dialog, click the Printer dropdown, and select your printer's name from the list. If you see your printer there, you are done — just click Print. Your Mac already has everything it needs.

If your printer does not appear in that list, check that both your Mac and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Restart your printer and wait 30 seconds, then try Command+P again. If it still does not show up, your printer either does not support AirPrint or is not on the network yet.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPrint printers connect over Wi-Fi with no driver needed — check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it supports AirPrint.
  • If your printer is not AirPrint-capable, read the printer driver from the manufacturer's website, install it, and add the printer through System Settings.
  • USB connection works for any printer but requires a cable and the printer driver installed on your Mac.
  • If your printer does not appear in the print dialog after setup, restart both devices and check that they are on the same network.
  • Printer manufacturers often release driver updates — check their support page if printing fails or produces poor quality.

Installing a driver for non-AirPrint printers

Older printers and some budget models do not support AirPrint. These printers need a driver — software that tells your Mac how to communicate with that specific model. The driver comes from the printer's manufacturer, not from Apple.

Go to the manufacturer's website (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all have support pages). Search for your exact printer model — check the model number on the printer itself or in its manual. read the macOS driver for your Mac's processor: if you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or newer), read the "Apple Silicon" version; if you have an Intel Mac, read the "Intel" version. You can check which you have by clicking the Apple menu, selecting About This Mac, and looking at the Chip line.

Open the downloaded file and follow the installer's steps. It will ask you to restart your Mac — do so. After restart, your printer driver is installed and ready to add to your system.

Adding the printer through System Settings

Once the driver is installed (or if you are using AirPrint), you need to tell your Mac about the printer. Open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu and selecting System Settings. Click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.

Click the plus button (+) to add a printer. Your Mac will search for printers on your network. If you see your printer in the list, click it and then click Add. If you do not see it, make sure the printer is powered on, connected to your Wi-Fi network (or plugged in via USB), and try again.

Once added, your printer will appear in the Printers & Scanners list. It is now ready to use — the next time you press Command+P, it will show up in the printer dropdown.

Connecting a printer by USB cable

If your printer has a USB port and you have a USB cable, you can connect it directly to your Mac without Wi-Fi. This works for almost any printer, as long as the driver is installed.

Plug the USB cable into the printer and into a USB port on your Mac (or a USB hub connected to your Mac). Power on the printer. Your Mac will recognize it within a few seconds. If the driver is already installed, the printer will appear in Printers & Scanners automatically. If not, install the driver first, then plug in the USB cable.

USB connection is useful if your Wi-Fi is unreliable or if you are in a location where the printer cannot reach your network. The downside is that you cannot print from other devices on your network — only from the Mac the cable is plugged into.

Troubleshooting when the printer does not appear

If you have installed the driver and added the printer through System Settings but it still does not show up when you press Command+P, restart both your Mac and your printer. Power off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Mac.

If the printer is on your network, open System Settings again, go to Printers & Scanners, and click the printer's name. Look for a status message — it might say "Offline" or show an error. If it says Offline, the printer has lost its network connection; restart the printer and check that it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.

If the printer is added but still will not print, try removing it and adding it again. In Printers & Scanners, click the printer's name and click the minus button (−) to remove it. Then click the plus button and add it again. This often clears temporary connection problems.

Updating your printer driver

Printer manufacturers release driver updates to fix bugs and improve compatibility. If printing is slow, produces poor quality, or fails with certain documents, check whether a newer driver is available.

Visit the manufacturer's support website, search for your printer model, and look for a Downloads or Drivers section. If a newer driver is listed, read it and run the installer. You may need to restart your Mac. After the update, try printing again.

Some manufacturers offer automatic driver updates through their own software — if you installed a setup app from the printer's disc or website, it may check for updates automatically. You can also check manually by opening that app and looking for an Update or Check for Updates button.

Printing from your iPhone or iPad to a Mac-connected printer

If your printer is connected to your Mac via AirPrint, any iPhone, iPad, or other Mac on the same Wi-Fi network can print to it. Open a document or photo on your iOS device, tap the Share button, scroll down and tap Print, select your printer, and tap Print.

If your printer is connected only by USB cable to your Mac, it cannot be used from other devices — only from that Mac. To print from your iPhone or iPad, you would need to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network instead, or use a different printer that supports AirPrint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything to use an AirPrint printer?

No. AirPrint printers work automatically once they are on your Wi-Fi network. Your Mac has the AirPrint support built in. Just make sure both devices are connected to the same network, and the printer will appear in your print dialog.

Where do I find my printer's model number?

Look on the front or back of the printer itself — it is usually printed on a label. You can also check the printer's manual or the original box. The model number is typically a combination of letters and numbers, like "HP LaserJet Pro M404n" or "Canon imageCLASS MF445dw".

What is the difference between an Intel Mac and an Apple Silicon Mac?

Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, and newer) are newer and faster. Intel Macs are older. You can find out which you have by clicking the Apple menu, selecting About This Mac, and looking at the Chip line. read the driver that matches your chip type, or the installer will not work.

Can I print wirelessly if my printer does not support AirPrint?

Yes, if your printer supports Wi-Fi. Install the manufacturer's driver, add the printer through System Settings, and your Mac will connect to it over your network. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if it has Wi-Fi capability.

Why does my printer say "Offline" in System Settings?

The printer has lost its connection to your Wi-Fi network. Restart the printer, check that it is connected to the same network as your Mac, and wait 30 seconds. Then check System Settings again. If it still says Offline, restart your Mac as well.