How to Print from iPhone Using AirPrint
AirPrint is Apple's built-in wireless printing technology. It's the easiest way to print from an iPhone because no extra app, driver, or cable is required — as long as your printer supports it. Most printers sold after 2010 by HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and Lexmark are AirPrint-enabled out of the box.
What you need
- An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 4.2 or later
- An AirPrint-enabled printer connected to the same WiFi network
- A printable file (photo, PDF, web page, email, Notes document, etc.)
Step-by-step
- Connect to the same WiFi. Open Settings → WiFi on your iPhone and confirm your printer is on the same network. Avoid guest networks.
- Open the file you want to print — a photo in Photos, a PDF in Files, an email in Mail, or a note in Notes.
- Tap the Share button — a square icon with an upward-pointing arrow, usually at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Print in the share sheet. Scroll down if you don't see it immediately.
- Choose your printer. Tap Printer and select your AirPrint printer from the list.
- Set copies and options — black & white, double-sided, paper size.
- Tap Print in the top-right corner. Your document starts printing within a few seconds.
Tip: If the Print option is missing from the share sheet, tap Edit Actions at the bottom and enable Print. Some apps don't support printing at all — in that case, save the file as a PDF first and print from Files.
How to Print Photos from iPhone
Printing photos from your iPhone works almost identically, but there are a few settings that determine whether you get a wallet-size snapshot or a frame-worthy 8×10.
- Open the Photos app and select the photo you want to print.
- Tap the Share button.
- Tap Print.
- Select your printer.
- Tap Options to choose paper size (4×6, 5×7, letter) and quality.
- Tap Print.
For higher-quality photo prints, skip AirPrint and use a dedicated photo printing service like Shutterfly, CVS Photo, or Walgreens Photo. These apps let you upload photos from your iPhone and pick them up at a local store within an hour, often with better color accuracy than a standard inkjet.
How to Print PDF from iPhone
PDFs are easy to print from iPhone because iOS handles them natively. Whether the file is in your Files app, an email attachment, or a web download, the workflow is the same.
- Open the Files app and locate your PDF.
- Tap the PDF to open it.
- Tap the Share button in the bottom toolbar.
- Tap Print.
- Choose your printer and the page range you want.
- Tap Print.
Pro tip: Need to print a web page as a PDF? Open Safari, tap the Share button, and pinch the preview to turn the page into a PDF — then save it to Files and print from there.
How to Print from iPhone Without AirPrint
Not every printer supports AirPrint. If yours doesn't, you still have several good options to print from your iPhone:
Option 1: Use the printer manufacturer's app
Almost every major brand has a free iOS app — see the brand guide below.
Option 2: Use a third-party printing app
Apps like PrintCentral, Printer Pro, and Print n Share support almost any printer, including older USB-only models. They work by routing your document through a helper app on your Mac or PC.
Option 3: Email the file to your printer
Many modern printers (HP ePrint, Epson Email Print, Canon PRINT) come with a unique email address. Attach your file to an email and send it — the printer pulls it down automatically.
Option 4: USB cable + Lightning adapter
For older printers, connect a USB cable to a Lightning-to-USB camera adapter, plug it into your iPhone, and use an app like PrintCentral to send documents over USB.
How to Print Text Messages from iPhone
iOS doesn't have a built-in Print button inside the Messages app, but you can still print a conversation using one of these methods:
- Screenshot method (free, simple). Take screenshots of the messages, open them in Photos, select all, tap Share, then Print.
- Export method. Use a desktop app like iMazing or TouchCopy on a Mac or PC to export the conversation as a PDF, then print the PDF.
- Email method. Forward the messages to your own email and print from Mail.
Printer-Specific Guides
Tap your printer brand to jump to the relevant app and setup steps.
How to Print from iPhone to HP Printer
Install HP Smart from the App Store. Open the app, tap + to add your printer, select a photo or document, and tap Print. HP printers made after 2010 also support AirPrint — you can skip the app and use the standard Share → Print flow.
How to Print from iPhone to Canon Printer
Use Canon PRINT or the AirPrint method. For older Pixma models, enable Google Cloud Print or use the printer's email address to send documents.
How to Print from iPhone to Epson Printer
Epson printers work with Epson iPrint and AirPrint. For EcoTank models, make sure the firmware is up to date — older firmware causes the printer to disappear from the AirPrint list.
How to Print from iPhone to Brother Printer
Download Brother iPrint&Scan or use AirPrint. Brother printers require WoL (Wake-on-LAN) enabled to be discovered when in sleep mode.
Common iPhone Printing Problems (FAQ)
Why can't I print from my iPhone?
The most common reasons are: your iPhone and printer are on different WiFi networks, your printer does not support AirPrint, your printer firmware is outdated, or the Print option is missing because the app doesn't support printing. Restart both devices, confirm they share the same WiFi, and update your printer firmware.
How do I know if my printer supports AirPrint?
Open Safari and visit apple.com/airprint for the official list of AirPrint-enabled printers. Most printers made after 2010 by HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and Lexmark support it.
Can I print from iPhone without WiFi?
Yes. Many modern printers support Bluetooth printing or have their own WiFi Direct hotspot. You can also use a USB cable with a Lightning-to-USB adapter, or use cloud printing services like Printer Pro or the manufacturer's app.
Why is my iPhone not finding my printer?
Check that both devices are on the same WiFi (not a guest network), restart your router, restart the printer, and make sure the printer is not in sleep mode. If it still fails, open the printer's web settings page and enable Bonjour or mDNS.
Can I print from my iPhone to any printer?
Not every printer works with iPhone out of the box. If your printer is not AirPrint-enabled, install the manufacturer's app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan) or use a third-party app like PrintCentral or Printer Pro.
Where is the Print option on iPhone?
Open any printable file, tap the Share button (square with up arrow), then scroll down the share sheet and tap Print. If Print is not visible, tap Edit Actions at the bottom and enable Print.
How do I print photos from iPhone at a store?
You can use apps from CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, or Shutterfly to upload photos from your iPhone and pick them up at a local store within an hour.
Can I print a text message conversation from my iPhone?
iOS does not have a built-in print button for Messages. Take screenshots of the conversation, open Photos, select the screenshots, tap Share, then Print. Alternatively, export the chat using iMazing or TouchCopy.
Why does my print job say "Contacting Printer" forever?
This usually means your iPhone can't talk to the printer over the network. Force-close the Print Center app (swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the Print Center card away), restart the printer, and try again.
Now you know how to print from iPhone — whether you're using AirPrint, a manufacturer app, or a third-party tool. Most users can print in under two minutes once the printer is on the same WiFi. Bookmark this page for the next time you need a quick refresher. 🖨️