What Is AirPrint and Which Printers Support It?

On this page (9 sections)

1. What is AirPrint, and how does it work?
2. Which printers support AirPrint?
3. How do you check if a printer supports AirPrint?
4. How do you print with AirPrint?
5. What can you print with AirPrint?
6. What should you do if your AirPrint printer doesn't appear?
7. Is AirPrint the same as Wi-Fi printing?
8. Does AirPrint scan documents too?
9. Which AirPrint printer should you choose?

AirPrint lets you print from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a compatible printer over a network. Apple's built-in feature usually works without installing extra printer drivers, and both devices generally need to use the same Wi-Fi network.

You can use AirPrint to print documents, photos, or web pages from supported apps. It isn't a printer or a separate app, and not every wireless printer supports it.

What is AirPrint, and how does it work?

AirPrint sends print jobs from supported Apple devices to compatible printers over a network. Select a printer from your device's print options, choose available settings such as copies or pages, and send the job.

For most home setups, the printer and Apple device connect to the same Wi-Fi network. AirPrint uses Apple's built-in printing support, so you usually don't need to download a printer driver just to print.

The options you see can vary by app, device, and printer. A printer may offer extra features through its own app, while AirPrint handles common print jobs through Apple's system menus.

Which printers support AirPrint?

AirPrint support depends on the printer model, so check the exact model before buying. A wireless connection alone doesn't confirm that a printer supports AirPrint.

Apple maintains a list of AirPrint-enabled printers. Printer makers also identify AirPrint in model specifications; check their support pages for setup steps or details about a specific model.

These models support AirPrint:

• The Canon PIXMA TR8620a is a wireless all-in-one printer with AirPrint.
• The Canon PIXMA TS6520 supports Apple AirPrint and Canon's mobile printing app.
• The Brother Work Smart 1360 includes AirPrint compatibility.
• The Epson EcoTank ET-2803 supports AirPrint and the Epson Smart Panel app.

Choose based on the tasks you need. The Canon PIXMA TR8620a adds fax, while the other three models print, scan, and copy.

How do you check if a printer supports AirPrint?

Look up the exact model name on Apple's compatible-printer list or the manufacturer's specifications. Check the model number carefully, since printers from the same brand can have different features.

If you're comparing printers for Apple devices, start with our guide to the best printers for Mac users. For printing from an iPhone, see how to print from an iPhone to a printer.

You can also check the printer's setup guide for network requirements. Some models need initial setup through a maker's app or control panel before they appear as an AirPrint option.

How do you print with AirPrint?

Open the item you want to print, choose the app's share or print option, select a printer, and send the job. The names and locations of these controls vary by app and Apple device.

A typical print flow is:

1. Connect the printer to Wi-Fi and finish its setup.
2. Connect your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to the same network.
3. Open the photo, document, email, or web page.
4. Choose Print from the app's share or action menu.
5. Select the compatible printer and adjust available options.
6. Tap or click Print to send the job.

The printer needs to be on and ready to receive the job. If it doesn't appear, check the network and compatibility before repeating the setup.

What can you print with AirPrint?

You can print supported content from apps on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Common examples include photos, documents, emails, and web pages, though the print option depends on the app.

Available settings can include the printer, number of copies, page range, color, or two-sided printing. Your options depend on both the app and the printer; AirPrint doesn't make every printer feature available from every app.

For automatic two-sided printing, check the printer's specifications as well as its AirPrint support. Our guide to duplex printing explains what that feature does.

What should you do if your AirPrint printer doesn't appear?

Confirm that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the printer is powered on and ready. Then check for network interruptions and restart the printer or Apple device if needed.

Try these steps:

• Check the printer's Wi-Fi status and reconnect it if necessary.
• Make sure the Apple device isn't using a separate guest network.
• Confirm that the exact printer model supports AirPrint.
• Check for a paused job or an error message on the printer.
• Restart the printer and device, then look for the printer again.

If the printer still doesn't appear, consult Apple's AirPrint troubleshooting steps and the printer maker's instructions. Network settings, firmware, or model-specific setup can affect discovery.

Is AirPrint the same as Wi-Fi printing?

No. Wi-Fi describes a way for devices to connect to a network, while AirPrint is Apple's printing feature for compatible printers.

A printer can offer wireless printing through a maker's app without supporting AirPrint.

Check both the connection method and the print features you need. To compare printer types for a home setup, see our home printer guide to ink tank and inkjet models.

Does AirPrint scan documents too?

AirPrint is for printing; scanning may require a maker's app or another supported scan method. The printer's scanner and software determine how you send scans to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Check whether the printer offers scanning to a computer, mobile app, or cloud service. If you need a feeder for multi-page scans, learn what an ADF on a printer does.

Which AirPrint printer should you choose?

Choose a printer based on the tasks you'll do after checking AirPrint support for its exact model. The Canon PIXMA TR8620a includes fax, the Brother Work Smart 1360 has an automatic document feeder, and the Epson EcoTank ET-2803 uses refillable ink tanks.

For everyday print, scan, and copy tasks, the Canon PIXMA TS6520 is another AirPrint-compatible option. Compare each model's features with your needs, then use our guide to all-in-one printers if you want help weighing print, scan, and copy functions.

Frequently asked questions

What is AirPrint on a printer?

AirPrint is Apple's wireless printing feature for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It lets a supported device send a print job to a compatible printer over a network without installing a printer-specific driver.

Your device and printer generally need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Do you need Wi-Fi for AirPrint?

AirPrint generally uses a network connection, so the Apple device and printer need access to the same Wi-Fi network. Check the printer and router instructions if they use separate network bands or a guest network, since devices on isolated networks may not find one another.

Does AirPrint work with every printer?

No. AirPrint works with compatible printers, and support varies by model.

Check Apple's current printer list or the printer maker's specifications for the exact model number before you buy; a printer having Wi-Fi alone does not confirm AirPrint support.

Can you use AirPrint without an app?

Usually, yes. AirPrint is built into supported Apple devices, so you can choose a printer from the share or print menu without first installing a separate printing app.

A maker's app may still offer setup, scanning, ink monitoring, or other printer features.