Apple AirPrint – Print Directly From Your Apple Devices

If you’ve ever picked up your iPhone, tapped Print, and watched “No Printer Selected” stare back at you, the problem usually comes down to one of two things: your printer either doesn’t support AirPrint or isn’t set up correctly for it. Apple’s AirPrint feature is genuinely simple once it’s working, but getting there trips people up more often than it should.

This guide covers what actually determines AirPrint compatibility, which printer brands support it and which don’t, how to set it up properly the first time, and how to fix the most common errors when it stops working.

What Determines Whether a Printer Is AirPrint Compatible

AirPrint compatibility isn’t something you add later with a driver or a firmware patch on most printers. It has to be built into the printer by the manufacturer, using AirPrint technology licensed from Apple. Adobe, Conexant and Qualcomm are the technology providers behind it, and Apple certifies each model before it can carry the AirPrint badge.

Under the hood, AirPrint relies on Bonjour, Apple’s zero-configuration networking protocol. Your iPhone, iPad or Mac uses Bonjour to broadcast a request across the local Wi-Fi network, and any AirPrint-enabled printer on that same network answers back automatically. No IP addresses to type in, no driver downloads, no printer-specific app required.

That’s also why AirPrint won’t work over public Wi-Fi. Networks like the ones in coffee shops and airports block the device discovery broadcasts AirPrint depends on for security reasons, so even a fully compatible printer becomes invisible on that kind of connection.

How to Check If Your Printer Supports AirPrint

Three ways to confirm compatibility, in order of reliability:

1. Search Apple’s official list. Apple maintains a searchable database of every certified AirPrint printer and print server, sortable by brand and model, using the Apple AirPrint Compatibility Search. Manufacturers supply this data directly to Apple and it’s updated regularly, so it’s the most current source available.

2. Look for the AirPrint logo on the box or spec sheet. Most manufacturers print it clearly on retail packaging and product pages once a model is certified.

3. Try it. Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network, join the same network on your iPhone or iPad, open Photos or Safari, tap Share, then Print. If the printer supports AirPrint, it appears in the printer list within a few seconds. If nothing shows up after a minute, it almost certainly doesn’t support it, or it’s on the wrong network.

One catch worth knowing: some printers listed as “USB-only” on Apple’s database only support driverless printing when connected directly to a Mac by cable. They won’t show up wirelessly on an iPhone or iPad no matter what you try.

Which Printer Brands Support AirPrint

Coverage varies a lot by manufacturer and by how recent the model is. As a general guide:

Strong native support: HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Xerox and OKI all build AirPrint into the large majority of their Wi-Fi printers and multifunction devices released from around 2011 onwards. If you’re buying new from any of these brands today, assume AirPrint is included unless the listing says otherwise.

Patchy or app-dependent support: Some budget and older models across most brands skip AirPrint even where a comparable model in the same range has it, particularly on entry-level single-function printers. Manufacturer apps such as HP Smart, Canon PRINT and Brother Mobile Connect can bridge the gap on non-AirPrint models, though you lose the driverless simplicity that’s the whole point of AirPrint in the first place.

Older machines generally: A printer bought before roughly 2011 is unlikely to support AirPrint at all, regardless of brand, since the standard didn’t exist yet. A handful of older business-grade machines gained it later through a firmware update, but that’s the exception rather than the rule.

If AirPrint is a must-have rather than a nice-to-have, check the spec sheet before you buy rather than assuming.

Setting Up AirPrint for the First Time

Getting AirPrint running correctly the first time takes about two minutes:

On iPhone or iPad

Connect your printer to your home Wi-Fi network using its control panel or setup app, then join your iPhone or iPad to that same network. Open the app you want to print from, tap the Share icon (or the Actions button in apps like Pages), scroll down and tap Print. Tap “No Printer Selected”, choose your printer from the list, set your copies and page range, then tap Print in the top corner.

On Mac

With your printer and Mac on the same network, open the document you want to print and choose File then Print. Click the Printer menu and select your AirPrint printer from the list. If it doesn’t appear, choose Add Printer from that same menu; macOS will detect any AirPrint printer on the network without needing a driver installed first.

Fixing Common AirPrint Problems

Most AirPrint failures trace back to the network, not the printer itself. Work through these in order before assuming the hardware has faulted.

“No AirPrint Printers Found”

This is the error people hit most. Start by confirming both devices are genuinely on the same network, not just inside the same building; dual-band routers sometimes put your printer on the 2.4GHz band and your iPhone on 5GHz as two effectively separate networks. Next, restart in this order: router first, giving it a full minute to come back online, then the printer using its power button rather than sleep mode, then your iPhone or iPad last so it rescans the network fresh. This clears the majority of discovery failures on its own.

Printer Appears in Settings but Not in the App

Some apps don’t support AirPrint at all, even if the operating system does. Check the app’s own settings or help section for a printing option, and if there isn’t one, print via Safari, Photos or Mail instead, all of which support AirPrint fully.

Still Not Working After a Restart

Reset your network settings on iOS by going to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN configurations, so you’ll need to rejoin your network afterwards, but it resolves a good number of persistent discovery issues that a simple restart doesn’t. If the printer still won’t appear, check the manufacturer’s own app for a firmware update; several models have shipped with AirPrint bugs that were later patched.

What to Do If Your Printer Doesn’t Support AirPrint

Two realistic options if your current printer isn’t AirPrint-certified. First, install the manufacturer’s own mobile app, such as HP Smart or Canon PRINT, which adds wireless printing from an iPhone or iPad without needing AirPrint specifically, though setup takes longer and you’re relying on the manufacturer’s software staying maintained. Second, and usually the better long-term fix, replace it with a model that has AirPrint built in. Prices for AirPrint-enabled inkjet and laser printers start well below £100, so upgrading is rarely the expensive option people assume it is. View our AirPrint compatible printers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple ID or iCloud account to use AirPrint?

No. AirPrint works over your local Wi-Fi network only and has no connection to your Apple ID, iCloud, or any Apple account.

Can I use AirPrint over Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi?

No. AirPrint requires a Wi-Fi or wired network connection. Printers connected only via Bluetooth or plugged into a router’s USB port aren’t supported.

Why does my printer show up on my Mac but not my iPhone?

This usually means the printer is connected to your Mac by USB rather than over Wi-Fi. USB-only connections give you driverless printing from that Mac specifically, but they don’t broadcast to other devices on the network the way a genuine AirPrint Wi-Fi connection does.

Does AirPrint work with printers from every brand?

No. Support depends entirely on whether the manufacturer built AirPrint into that specific model and had it certified by Apple. Most current HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Xerox and OKI printers support it; some budget and older models across every brand don’t.

Is there a cost to use AirPrint?

No. AirPrint is a free feature built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS. There’s nothing to buy or subscribe to beyond an AirPrint-compatible printer itself.

Can I print in colour and select paper size with AirPrint?

Yes. AirPrint supports automatic media selection along with standard options like copy count, page range, and colour or black and white, though the exact options shown depend on what the individual printer and app support.

Will AirPrint work if my printer is connected via an extender or mesh Wi-Fi system?

Generally yes, as long as both devices end up on the same logical network. Some mesh systems create separate guest networks or isolate devices from each other by default, which blocks AirPrint’s discovery broadcasts; check your mesh system’s device isolation or guest network settings if a normally reliable printer suddenly stops appearing.

If you need any help choosing the right AirPrint compatible printer, our team is on hand via Contact Us, on the phone at 0161 308 5800, or through Live Chat.