How to Print From an iPhone

Whether your printer is AirPrint-compatible, networked to your desktop computer, or just has a USB connection, this article explains how to print from an iPhone.

How to print directly from an iPhone using AirPrint

AirPrint is Apple’s Wi-Fi printing technology used to print from iPad and iPhone. To use AirPrint, you need an AirPrint-compatible printer (there are hundreds of AirPrint printers available), and that printer must be connected to the same network as your iPhone (it can be over Wi-Fi or over an Ethernet cable connected to the connected to your Wi-Fi router).

If so, follow these steps to print directly from an iPhone:

1. Tap next to what you want to print on the screen Split Button.

   
   

2. Scroll down and tap To press.

3. That print options Screen contains these settings:

   • Printer: Tap to select which available printer to use.
   • Presets: Select the default options for your printer here.
   • Copies: Tap Plus or Minus to choose how many copies you want.
   • Area: If you are printing a multi-page document, tap to select the pages you want (the default is All sites).
   • double-sided: This slider enables double-sided printing (if your printer supports it).
   • paper size: If your printer can print on multiple paper sizes, tap this option to select your preferred size.
   • Orientation: Here you can choose whether to print in portrait or landscape format.
   • Scaling: Tap plus or minus to enlarge or reduce the printout.

   The bottom row shows a preview of each page in your document. A blue check mark means the page will print. Tap the check mark so it disappears and this page does not print.

   
   

4. When you have made your print selection, tap To press. The document is sent to your AirPrint printer.

   
   

5. After tapping Print, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open iPhone’s multitasking view. The first app on the right is your print queue. If you want to stop printing, tap Cancel printing.

How to print from an iPhone without AirPrint

While AirPrint is the easiest way to print wirelessly, you can print from an iPhone without AirPrint. There are Wi-Fi enabled printers that work with the iPhone and use their own printing apps. Many printer manufacturers offer their own dedicated iPhone apps, including:

There are also third-party printing apps that support different printers and offer features that AirPrint doesn’t. Some of the most popular third-party printing apps are Print n Share and PrinterShare.

While it’s not possible to include step-by-step instructions for every third-party printing app, the basic concepts reflect the last section. You need a printer that is available via WiFi or USB. Printing is via the Split icon or with a special printer icon added by the app. When you tap it, choose your options – which printer to use, how many copies, double-sided or not, etc. – then tap To press.