📋 Verified Walkthrough
iPhone & iPad • Everyday Basics

How do I print wirelessly from my iPhone, iPad, or Android phone to a home printer?

Direct Answer

Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the exact same home Wi-Fi network. On iPhone or iPad, tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up), scroll down and tap "Print," select your printer name, and tap "Print" in the top-right corner. On Android, tap the three dots (⋮) or Share button, tap "Print," choose your printer from the drop-down menu, and tap the round printer button.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To print recipes, airline boarding passes, event tickets, tax documents, and medical summaries right from your sofa without turning on a computer.
  • To print favorite family photos on photo paper straight from your phone camera roll.
  • To eliminate confusing printer cables and USB cords completely.
  • To easily print emails, web pages, and PDF attachments received in your email inbox.

Before You Start

  • A wireless-enabled printer (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.) turned ON and connected to your home Wi-Fi.
  • Your smartphone or tablet connected to the same home Wi-Fi network (not mobile cellular data).

Most printers sold in the past 10 years support Apple AirPrint and Android Mopria automatically with no extra software or cable needed.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Check that your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network

    Your printer and your smartphone must connect to the same home Wi-Fi name. Check your phone Settings -> Wi-Fi to confirm you are connected to your home router, and verify the small blue Wi-Fi light on your printer is solid, not blinking.

    👀 Wi-Fi icon (curved waves) on phone screen and solid blue light on printer.

  2. 2

    Open the photo, email, or webpage you want to print

    Find the recipe in Safari/Chrome, open the PDF document in your Mail app, or select a photo in your Photos album.

    👀 The document, photo, or webpage displayed on your screen.

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    On iPhone/iPad: Tap the Share button (Square with Up Arrow)

    Look at the bottom or top of your screen for the Share icon (a small square with an arrow pointing straight up). Tap it to open the sharing menu, scroll down past the app icons, and tap the option labeled "Print" with a printer icon.

    👀 Square icon with upward arrow [↑], followed by "Print" line item.

  4. 4

    On Android: Tap the three dots (⋮) or Share and select Print

    Tap the three vertical dots (⋮) in the top-right corner of your browser or photo app, or tap the Share icon, then look for "Print" in the menu options.

    👀 Three vertical dots (⋮) at top right, followed by "Print" option.

  5. 5

    Select your printer name and tap Print

    Tap "Printer" or "Select a Printer." Your phone will search your Wi-Fi network and display your printer brand (e.g., "HP ENVY", "Canon TS", or "Epson WF"). Tap it, choose how many copies or if you want Black & White, and tap "Print" in the top-right corner. Your printer will start printing within seconds!

    👀 Printer Options screen with printer name, number of copies, and blue "Print" button.

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

If your printer says "No AirPrint Printers Found" or does not appear in the list...

Turn your printer OFF, wait 15 seconds, and turn it back ON. Then turn your phone's Wi-Fi off and on in Settings. This refreshes the network connection 90% of the time.

If you want to save the document as a digital PDF instead of using paper...

On iPhone, on the Print preview screen, use two fingers to pinch outward (zoom in) on the preview page. It opens into a full PDF file you can save to your Files app or email to someone.

If your Android phone requires a print plugin...

Open Settings -> Connected devices -> Connection preferences -> Printing -> turn ON "Default Print Service" or download your printer brand's free plugin (such as "HP Print Service Plugin") from the Google Play Store.

Good to Know

  • You can select specific pages (e.g., page 1 only) to avoid wasting ink and paper on website disclaimers or blank pages.
  • Double-sided printing (duplex) can be toggled on or off right on the print preview screen to save paper.
  • You never need to install ink software or disc drivers on your phone or tablet.