How to Print From iPhone: 5 Easy Ways, With or Without AirPrint

September 29, 2026

You can print from an iPhone easily using native AirPrint, manufacturer apps, Wi-Fi Direct, a wired USB OTG connection, or via a computer workaround.

1.Print From iPhone With AirPrint (Wireless & Native)

This is the fastest and easiest method if your printer supports Apple’s built-in wireless standard.

Connect your iPhone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the document, photo, or web page you want to print.
Tap the Share button (square with an upward arrow) or the app’s action menu.
Scroll down and tap Print.
Tap Select Printer if one isn’t already chosen, pick your AirPrint printer, adjust settings like copies, and tap Print.

Your iPhone remembers the last printer you used, so next time the steps are even shorter.

2. Print From iPhone Without AirPrint Apps (For Non-AirPrint Printers)

If your printer does not support AirPrint, you can use the official app provided by your printer’s brand.

Download the official app from the App Store (such as HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, or Brother iPrint&Scan).
Connect your printer to your local Wi-Fi network following the app’s setup instructions.
Open the manufacturer app, select the file or photo you wish to print from your device storage, adjust the preferences, and send the print job.
Send the file to a computer. Use AirDrop or email to move the file to a laptop that is connected to the printer, then print from there. If you need help with that side, see how to connect a printer to laptop and how to connect iPhone to laptop.
Use a USB or Ethernet connected printer through a shared network. Some office setups share printers across the network so an iPhone can reach them.

3. Wi-Fi Direct (Without a Home Router)

Many modern wireless printers broadcast their own direct local network signal if there is no shared Wi-Fi.

Enable Wi-Fi Direct on your printer using its control panel buttons.
Go to your iPhone’s Settings > Wi-Fi and select the printer’s direct network name.
Enter the Wi-Fi Direct password (retrieved from the printer’s display or information sheet).
Open your document or photo, tap Share, select Print, and send the job directly.

Pro Tip

Before you leave for a meeting or a trip, print to PDF first. On the print options screen, pinch outwards on the preview and save the PDF to the Files app. You then have a clean copy that any printer or computer can open, even if the printer at the destination does not support AirPrint.

4. Wired USB Connection (USB OTG Adapter)

You can connect an iPhone directly to a printer using a physical cable if wireless options fail.

Plug a standard USB printer cable into a USB On-The-Go (OTG) adapter compatible with your iPhone port (Lightning or USB-C).
Connect the other end of the USB cable to your printer and power it on.
Tap OK on the connection prompt that pops up on your iPhone screen.
Open your file, tap the Share icon, select Print, choose your detected printer model, and tap Print.

5. Computer Workaround (Printer Sharing via Mac or PC)

If your printer is old and connected only to a desktop computer, you can share it over your local network.

Connect the printer to a Mac or Windows PC and turn on Printer Sharing in the system settings.
Install an iOS-compatible print bridge software on the computer (such as Printopia or HandyPrint for Mac, or specialized AirPrint activator services for Windows).
Ensure your iPhone is on the same local network as the computer to route and execute the print job through the host PC.

You have a boarding pass, a signed contract, a school form or a photo on your iPhone, and you need it on paper in the next five minutes. The good news is that most modern printers talk to an iPhone directly, so you do not need a laptop in the middle. This guide shows the fastest way to print from an iPhone with AirPrint, what to do when your printer does not support it, and how to fix the errors that stop most people, including “No AirPrint Printers Found”.

How to Print From iPhone: The Quick Answer

Connect your iPhone and your printer to the same WiFi network.
Open the photo, PDF, webpage, email or note you want to print.
Tap the Share icon, scroll down the list of actions and tap Print.
Tap Select Printer and choose your printer from the list.
Set the number of copies and tap Print in the top right corner.

That is the whole process. If it works, you can stop here. If your printer did not appear, or the Print option is missing, read on, because every fix is covered below.

What You Need Before You Print From iPhone

Most failed print jobs come down to one of four things, so check these first:

An AirPrint printer. AirPrint is Apple’s built in printing technology. Almost every wireless printer sold in the last several years supports it, and the printer box or manual will say so.
The same network. Your iPhone and printer must be on the same WiFi network. A guest network or a separate extender network often blocks the connection.
A current iOS version. Update your iPhone in Settings > General > Software Update so the print menu and printer discovery work properly.
Paper, ink and a ready printer. A printer showing an error light will not appear as available.

Print a Webpage From Safari

Printing a full website often wastes paper on menus and adverts. To keep it clean, open the page in Safari, tap the page menu icon beside the address bar and choose Show Reader if it is available. Reader strips out clutter and leaves the article text and images. Then tap Share and choose Print. The same steps work in other browsers, and you can change your default apps if you would rather have links open in a different browser before you print.

Print from iPhones: Photos and Screenshots

Open the Photos app, pick the picture, tap Share and then Print. For several photos, tap Select, choose all the images you want and then use the Share button. Before you send them, check the paper size in the print options. Photo paper is usually a different size from standard A4, and choosing the wrong one is the main reason photos print with cropped edges.

From iPhone: Print PDFs, Emails and Documents

Files app: open the PDF or document, tap Share and then Print.
Mail: open the email, tap the arrow icon at the bottom and choose Print. Attachments can be printed the same way after you open them.
Notes: open the note, then use the Share or More menu and look for Print.

Need a digital copy instead of paper? On the print options screen, pinch outwards on the page preview. This opens a PDF version that you can save to the Files app through the Share button.

How to Cancel or Check a Print Job

Once you tap Print, your iPhone adds a Print Center card to the app switcher. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to open the app switcher, then tap Print Center. From there you can see the progress of the job and tap Cancel Printing if you made a mistake.

Fixes for Common iPhone Printing Problems

“No AirPrint Printers Found”

This is the most common error. Work through these fixes in order:

Confirm the printer is switched on and shows no error light.
Check both devices are on the same WiFi network, not a guest network.
Turn WiFi off and on again on your iPhone.
Restart the printer and the router.
Move your iPhone closer to the printer.
If the issue continues, reset your network settings, then reconnect to WiFi and try again. Note down your saved WiFi passwords first, because this reset erases them.

The Print Option Is Missing

Some apps do not support printing. Try opening the same content in Safari, Files or Photos, where Print is always available. Also scroll to the very bottom of the Share sheet, because Print can sit below the first row of actions.

The Print Job Is Stuck

Open Print Center from the app switcher and cancel the job. Then switch the printer off and on, clear any paper jam and send the file again. A printer that ran out of ink or paper will hold every job until you fix that.

Prints Come Out Cropped or the Wrong Size

Check the paper size in the print options before you tap Print. Choose the size that matches what is loaded in the tray, and pick a fit to page option if your printer offers one.

A Printer App Asks for Permission

Printer apps sometimes ask to track your activity or to find devices on your local network. Local network access is needed for printing, but tracking is not. You can learn how to stop apps tracking you without affecting how the printer works.

Need iPhones for Your Team or Event? Rent Them

If you are running an exhibition, a conference, a training day or a short project in the UAE, buying phones for every person is rarely worth it. Renting gives your staff current iPhones for exactly the time you need them, and they can print, scan and share files on site from day one. Read our guide to iPhone rental in Dubai for what to expect, compare renting versus buying iPhones to see which suits your budget, and check that iPhone rental is secure for business use. When you are ready, contact our team to confirm the models and quantities available for your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Printing From iPhone

Can I print from an iPhone without a computer?

Yes. If your printer supports AirPrint, your iPhone prints directly over WiFi. Open the item, tap Share, tap Print, choose the printer and tap Print again. No computer, cable or extra app is required.

How do I print from iPhone to a non AirPrint printer?

Install the printer maker’s app, such as HP Smart or the Epson and Canon equivalents, and print from inside it. Another option is to send the file to a computer that is connected to the printer and print from there.

Why can’t my iPhone find my printer?

The most likely cause is that the iPhone and the printer are on different WiFi networks. Other causes include a printer error, a guest network that blocks devices, or a printer that does not support AirPrint. Restarting the printer and router usually fixes it.

Where is the Print button on iPhone?

Tap the Share icon in the app you are using and scroll down the list of actions. Print is usually there. In some apps it sits inside a More or three dot menu instead.

Can I print from my iPhone using mobile data?

No, not with AirPrint. The iPhone and printer must be on the same local network. To print while away from that network, send the file to a computer or use a printer app that supports cloud printing.

Can I print from iPhone to a Bluetooth printer?

Only if the printer has its own iPhone app that supports Bluetooth. Standard iOS printing uses AirPrint over WiFi, not Bluetooth, so a Bluetooth only printer needs its maker’s app.

Can I rent an iPhone for events and still print from it?

Yes. A rented iPhone works like any other iPhone, so it can print to any AirPrint printer on the same WiFi network at your venue. This is useful for tickets, forms and badges at events.