How to Print From Your iPhone or Android Smartphone

Print from iPhone without AirPrint

​​Not all printers are AirPrint-compatible, especially older models. You can use your printer’s official app, free from the App Store, to print from your iPhone as well. ​​

First, confirm your printer is on and connected to the same wireless network as your iPhone. Some Bluetooth printers will work, but you’ll have to connect one wirelessly to your phone under Settings | Bluetooth.​

​1. Download your printer’s companion app from the Apple App Store. Your printer’s manual or website should tell you the exact name of the app, or you can do a search using keywords, like “Epson” or “HP.” You’ll see an official app and a few third-party ones.

​2. Open your printer’s app on your iPhone and see if it automatically recognizes your printer. If not, you may need to select it from a pull-down list. Follow the instructions to detect and add your printer.​​If this doesn’t work, you may be prompted to go to your iPhone’s Settings | Wi-Fi and look for the name of your wireless printer under Networks. Tap it to connect. You’ll only have to do this once.​​

3. Now open any web page, document, note or photo you want to print, and then tap Share (a box with an up arrow). If you don’t see this option, depending on the app you’re using, you may need to select Actions | Print.​​ If you’re looking to print an email message from Apple Mail, you may need to tap Reply at the bottom of your message first, then select Print.​​

4. A list of options will appear. Scroll down or across and tap the Print button, which should show the name of your printing app or printer name.

​​5. Choose your print format options. Tap Print at the upper-right corner. As with AirPrint, your iPhone will remember this as your preferred or default printer.​​

Print from Android

​​Printing from an Android phone, such as a Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or Moto device, is super easy. Most apps let you wirelessly print directly from the app, such as Google Docs and Photos.​​

1. Your wireless printer needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Android phone. Check via Settings on each device. If you’re connecting via Bluetooth, make sure the Android phone and printer are connected over a Bluetooth connection at Settings | Bluetooth (or depending on the model, Settings | More connections |Bluetooth or Settings | Connected devices).​​

2. Open your document or photo. ​​

3. Depending on which app you’re in, you’ll see a Share icon that resembles an arrow with dots at the end; a hamburger menu icon with three stacked lines; three horizontal dots; or, as we found in Google Docs on a Pixel phone, three vertical dots.

​​4. Select Print, and your wireless printer should be listed in the drop-down menu. If it’s not, make sure your phone is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer, or check the Bluetooth settings to make sure you’re connected.​​

5. As with Apple, choose the number of copies, page range, etc.

​​6. Select Print. That’s it! ​​Your Android phone will remember this as your preferred or default printer going forward, but you can always add another one by selecting the printer you want from the drop-down menu.