Method 1: Automatic Setup (AirPrint / WiFi Printers)

  1. 1

    Make sure the printer is on and connected to WiFi

    Your printer and Mac must be on the same WiFi network. Set up the printer's WiFi connection using its touchscreen or buttons first if you have not already.

  2. 2

    Apple menu → System Settings → Printers and Scanners

    Click the Apple logo → System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (earlier versions) → Printers and Scanners.

  3. 3

    Click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax (or the + button)

    Click the + button or Add Printer, Scanner or Fax button. Your Mac scans the network and lists available printers.

  4. 4

    Select your printer and click Add

    Click your printer's name in the list. macOS downloads and installs the appropriate driver automatically (requires internet). Click Add. The printer appears in your list and is ready to use.

Method 2: USB Connection

  1. 5

    Plug the printer into your Mac with a USB cable

    Connect the USB cable from the printer to your Mac (you may need a USB-A to USB-C adapter for newer Macs). macOS usually detects and installs the printer automatically. Check Printers and Scanners to confirm it was added.

If Your Printer Does Not Appear

  • Restart the printer and wait 60 seconds, then check again
  • Confirm both devices are on the same WiFi network (not one on 2.4GHz and one on 5GHz)
  • Download the printer driver from the manufacturer's website — HP, Epson, Canon and Brother all have Mac driver downloads on their support pages
  • In the Add Printer dialog, click IP to add manually using the printer's IP address (find this in the printer's network settings or print a network configuration page)
Print from any appOnce added, print from any Mac application using Cmd+P. Select your printer from the dropdown. The first time you print, macOS may download additional printer-specific software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Right-click the printer in Printers and Scanners → Reset printing system (this removes all printers — then add it back). Or try: delete the printer and re-add it. Check the printer is on, connected to WiFi, and has paper and ink. Restart both the printer and your Mac.
If the printer supports AirPrint, print directly from iPhone without involving the Mac at all. If not, sharing the printer through your Mac is possible but complex. The simplest approach is to check whether your printer supports AirPrint (see apple.com/au/airprint for the full list).