Need to print a document, photo, email, or webpage from your iPhone and not sure where to start? You are not alone. Printing from an iPhone is usually quick, but the steps can feel hidden if you have never used AirPrint before, or if your printer is not showing up.
This guide walks you through the fastest way to print from iPhone, plus a few alternatives if your printer does not appear, your app looks different, or you need another option like saving to PDF first. In most cases, you can go from file to paper in under a minute once your printer is connected correctly.
Quick Summary
- Make sure your iPhone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open the photo, email, webpage, or document you want to print.
- Tap Share, More, or the app menu, then tap Print.
- Choose your printer, set the number of copies or page range, then tap Print.
Tutorial – How to Print from iPhone Using AirPrint
This is the most common and easiest method. AirPrint lets your iPhone wirelessly print to a compatible printer without installing extra drivers.
Step 1: Make sure your printer supports AirPrint and is online
Check that your printer is turned on, connected to Wi-Fi, and ready to print.
If you are not sure whether your printer supports AirPrint, look for the AirPrint logo in the printer manual or on the manufacturer’s website. On the printer screen, you should usually see a connected or ready status, not an error message.
Step 2: Connect your iPhone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network
On your iPhone, go to Settings and tap Wi-Fi to confirm the network name. Your printer must be on that same network for AirPrint to work.
If your printer is on a guest network, a different router band, or a separate office network, your iPhone may not detect it. This is one of the most common reasons printing fails.
Step 3: Open the item you want to print
Open the app that contains the file, photo, email, or webpage you want to print.
For example, you might open Photos for an image, Safari for a webpage, Mail for an email, or Files for a PDF. Once the item is open, make sure it appears on the screen exactly as you want it printed.
Step 4: Tap the Share button or app menu
Tap the Share icon, which usually looks like a box with an upward arrow.
In some apps, you may need to tap More, Options, or a three-dot menu first. After you tap it, a menu should slide up or appear with several actions, including Print if the app supports it.
Step 5: Tap Print
Scroll through the share sheet or action menu and tap Print.
If you do not see Print, the app may not support direct printing. In that case, you may need to save the file to Files, open it in another app, or use a different method described below.
Step 6: Choose your printer and adjust print settings
Tap Printer and select your AirPrint-compatible printer from the list.
After you pick a printer, you should see options for things like the number of copies, page range, paper size, color or black-and-white, and double-sided printing, if your printer supports it. Check these settings carefully before moving on.
Step 7: Tap Print to send the job
When everything looks correct, tap Print in the top-right corner of the screen.
Your iPhone will send the job to the printer, and you should see the print queue start on the printer itself or on its display. If the printer is awake and ready, the pages should begin printing within moments.
Alternative Methods and Edge Cases
If the standard AirPrint method does not work, try one of these options.
Print from a different app
- Some apps handle printing differently. For example, in Safari, tap the Share button. In Mail, open the message and tap Reply or More first, then look for Print.
Save the file as a PDF first
- If you want more control or the app does not show a print option, choose Share, then Save to Files or Books. You can then open the PDF in another app and print it from there.
Use your printer’s official app
- Brands like HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother often provide iPhone apps that let you print photos, documents, and scans. This can help if AirPrint is unreliable or your printer is older.
Print from a Mac or PC instead
- If the document is already on your computer, it may be easier to print there, especially for large files or advanced settings like booklet layout or special paper sizes.
If you do not see the print option
- The app may not support printing directly. Try opening the same file in Files, Photos, Mail, or Safari, where printing is more commonly supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an app to print from iPhone?
Not always. If your printer supports AirPrint, you can print directly from many built-in iPhone apps without installing anything extra. Some printer brands do offer apps that add more features.
Why is my printer not showing up?
Most of the time, the iPhone and printer are not on the same Wi-Fi network, or the printer is not AirPrint-compatible. Restarting both devices can also help.
Can I print text messages or iMessages from my iPhone?
Not directly from the Messages app in most cases. A common workaround is to take screenshots, save them, and print the images or create a PDF first.
Can I print photos in different sizes?
Yes. In the Photos app or your printer app, you can often choose paper size, border settings, and the number of copies. The exact options depend on your printer.
How do I print double-sided from iPhone?
If your printer supports duplex printing, you may see a Double-Sided option in the print settings. Turn it on before tapping Print. If you do not see it, your printer may not support automatic duplexing.
Can I cancel a print job from my iPhone?
Sometimes. Open the app that sent the job or check the printer’s display. Some printers also let you cancel a print job from the printer queue or the manufacturer’s app.
Tips
- Keep your iPhone and printer on the same Wi-Fi network, or AirPrint may not find the printer.
- If printing fails, turn Wi-Fi off and back on for both the iPhone and printer.
- Update iOS and your printer firmware when possible, as compatibility issues are often fixed in updates.
- For best photo results, use the printer’s photo paper setting if available.
- If an app does not show Print, try opening the same file in Files, Photos, or Safari instead.
- Printers that support AirPrint are usually much easier to use with iPhone than older models that require manual setup.
Troubleshooting
Printer does not appear in the list
- Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then restart the printer and your iPhone, and try again.
Print button is missing
- Not every app supports printing. Open the content in another app, or save it as a PDF first and print from Files.
Printer says offline or unavailable
- Make sure the printer is powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and not showing an error on its screen. If needed, reconnect the printer to your wireless network.
Pages print blank or cut off
- Check paper size, orientation, and margins in the print settings. Also make sure the file actually contains visible content before printing.
Only some pages print
- Open the print settings and confirm the page range is set correctly. If needed, set it to All Pages.
Printer works with other devices but not iPhone
- Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version and restart both devices. Then try printing again from a built-in Apple app like Photos or Safari to isolate the problem.
Conclusion
Printing from an iPhone is usually simple once you know where the controls are. In most cases, all it takes is opening your file, tapping Share, selecting Print, and choosing the right printer.
If your printer does not show up right away, do not panic. Check Wi-Fi, verify AirPrint support, and try one of the fallback methods above. With the right setup, your iPhone can print photos, documents, emails, and web pages with very little effort.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.