How to Print from Your iPhone Without a Cable
Print photos, documents, web pages, and emails directly from your iPhone using AirPrint — no cables required.
3 min read · 5 steps · Checked April 2026
Step 1. Make sure your printer is AirPrint compatible
Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website. You can also search "AirPrint printers" on Apple's website at apple.com/airprint to see a list of compatible models. Most printers sold in the US since 2013 are compatible. If your printer is several years old and doesn't appear on the list, it may not support AirPrint — in that case, try the manufacturer's app instead.
Step 2. Connect your printer to Wi-Fi
Your printer needs to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network (not just powered on). On most printers, go to the Settings or Network menu on the printer's screen, find Wireless Setup, and connect to your home network by entering your Wi-Fi password. Your printer should have a screen or buttons for navigating menus — check the printer's manual if you're unsure how to access the network settings.
Step 3. Make sure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and confirm you're connected to your home network (the same one your printer is on). The name will be shown with a checkmark. If you're connected to a different network or a Guest network, AirPrint may not find your printer.
Step 4. Find the Print option in any app
Open the photo, document, or webpage you want to print. Tap the Share button — it looks like a box with an arrow pointing up, usually at the bottom or top of the screen. Scroll through the options in the Share menu until you see "Print." Tap Print.
Step 5. Select your printer and print
In the Print options screen, tap "Printer" and a list of AirPrint-compatible printers on your network will appear. Tap your printer's name. Set the number of copies and any other options (paper size, double-sided, etc.), then tap "Print" in the top right corner. Your printer should start printing within a few seconds.
Quick Tip
Quick Tip — If your printer doesn't show up in the AirPrint list, restart both your printer and your iPhone, then try again. They both need to be fully connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Most connection issues are solved by a simple restart.
Most modern printers — including those from HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother sold in the past several years — support a technology called AirPrint. AirPrint is Apple's wireless printing system built into every iPhone and iPad. If your printer supports AirPrint and both your iPhone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can print from any app without installing drivers or connecting any cables.
The key requirement is that your iPhone and your printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network. This usually means they need to be connected to the same router in your home. If your printer is using an older wired connection (Ethernet only) or a different Wi-Fi network, AirPrint may not work.
Almost every app on your iPhone supports printing: Safari (for web pages), Mail (for emails and attachments), Photos (for photos), Files (for PDFs and documents), and most third-party apps like Pages, Adobe Acrobat, and others. The Print option is almost always found in the Share menu — the box with an arrow pointing up.
If your printer doesn't support AirPrint, you may be able to use your printer manufacturer's own app instead. HP has the HP Smart app, Canon has PIXMA Printing Solutions, Epson has Epson iPrint, and Brother has the Brother iPrint&Scan app — all free from the App Store.
Official sources
- Apple Support — support.apple.com
- iPhone User Guide — support.apple.com
- AppleCare contact options — support.apple.com
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