Add a printer to your printer list so you can use it on Mac
To use a printer, you must add it to your list of printers using Printers & Scanners settings. (If you switched from using a Windows computer to a Mac, using Printers & Scanners settings is similar to using the Printing control panel in Windows.)
When you add a printer, macOS uses AirPrint to connect to the printer. With AirPrint, you can print without needing to install an app, additional drivers, or other software that could compromise your privacy. If your printer isn’t compatible with AirPrint, install the latest software that came with the printer or from the manufacturer’s website.
For information about using a printer with an iPhone or iPad, see the Apple Support article Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone or iPad.
Before you begin
On your Mac, update your printer software: Check with your printer’s manufacturer whether any updates are available.
Prepare your printer: Use the instructions for your printer to unpack it, install ink or toner, and add paper. Turn on the printer and make sure it’s not displaying any errors.
Add a printer
If your Mac and printer are already connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the printer might be available to you without any setup. If a network printer you want to use isn’t in your list of available printers, you can add it as an IP printer. The printer must support one of these protocols: AirPrint, HP Jetdirect (Socket), Line Printer Daemon (LPD), or Internet Printing Protocol (IPP).
Note: Some printers connected using these generic protocols may offer limited features.
Tip: You can quickly add a printer using Print Center. Open the Print Center app in Spotlight, choose Printer in the menu bar, then choose Add Printer. See Manage printers and print jobs with Print Center.
Go to the System Settings
app on your Mac.Click Printers & Scanners
in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, then do any of the following:
Add a Wi-Fi or network printer: Select your printer from the list, then click Add.
If your printer isn’t connected to the network, you need to add it. Follow the instructions that came with the printer to connect it to the network.
If you have a Wi-Fi printer, you might need to connect the printer to your Mac with a USB cable to set up Wi-Fi printing. After connecting the printer to your Mac, install the software that came with the printer and use the printer’s setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. After setup, you can disconnect the cable from your printer and Mac, and the printer should stay connected to the Wi-Fi network. See the Apple Support article Connect an AirPrint printer to a Wi-Fi network.
Add a USB printer: Connect the printer to your Mac using the appropriate cable.
Important: If your Mac has a single USB-C port, use a multiport adapter. Connect the printer, then connect a USB-C cable to a power supply to prolong the battery life of your Mac. See Use USB-C cables with Mac.
Add a Bluetooth printer: Select your printer from the list, then click Add.
Follow the instructions that came with your printer to make sure it’s ready to connect with Bluetooth. If your printer doesn’t appear in the list, make sure you have the latest Bluetooth driver for the printer installed. Check with the manufacturer for the latest driver.
Add a Wi-Fi or mobile printer that requires a configuration profile: Select the printer (listed as an AirPrint Profile) in the Printers list, then click Add.
If your printer doesn’t appear in the list, make sure you have the latest configuration profile installed and there’s a network path for your computer to the printer. Check with your network administrator for the latest profile.
Add a network printer by specifying its IP address: Click
, enter the printer information using the following table as a guide, then click Add.You must know the network printer’s IP address or host name, printing protocol, and model number or printer software name. If it uses a special queue, you also need to know the queue name. Ask the person who manages the printer or server for assistance.
Option
Description
Address
Enter the printer’s IP address (a number that looks like 192.168.20.11) or host name (for example, printer.example.com).
Protocol
Choose a printing protocol that your printer supports:
AirPrint: Use the AirPrint protocol to enable Wi-Fi, USB, and Ethernet network access to a printer’s printing and scanning options (if the specific printer supports these features). You don’t need to download or install printer software to use AirPrint-enabled printers. A wide variety of printers, including Aurora, Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson, Fuji, Hewlett Packard, Samsung, Xerox, and many others, support the AirPrint protocol.
Internet Printing Protocol - IPP: Allows access to modern printers and print servers.
Line Printer Daemon - LPD: Allows access to some older printers and print servers that use this protocol.
HP Jetdirect – Socket: Use this protocol to access Hewlett Packard and many other printer manufacturers.
Queue
Enter the queue name for your printer. If you don’t know the queue name, try leaving it blank or see your network administrator.
Name
Records a descriptive name for the printer (for example, Color Laser Printer), so you can identify it in the Printer pop-up menu.
Location
Records the printer’s location (for example, “outside my office”), so you can identify it in the Printer pop-up menu.
Use
Display the appropriate software for the printer. If you don’t see software for your printer, choose Select Software, then select your printer in the Printer Software list.
If Printer Software list doesn’t include your printer, try downloading and installing the printer software (also called a printer driver) from the printer manufacturer. You can also try choosing generic postscript or PCL printer software from the pop-up menu depending on your type of printer.
It may take a minute or two for your printer to appear. If you see a message prompting you to download new software, make sure to download and install it.
When you add a printer, macOS can usually detect whether the printer has special accessories installed, such as additional paper trays, extra memory, or a duplex unit. If it can’t, a dialog appears that lets you specify them. Make sure the settings in that dialog accurately reflect your printer’s installed accessories so you can take full advantage of them.
Install a configuration profile for a printer
Some network printers may require you to install a configuration profile so that the printer can be discovered on your network using AirPrint. If you’re provided a profile to install, download or copy the printer profile to your Mac, then install it.
On your Mac, double-click the profile to open it.
When you see a message asking if you want to install the profile, click Continue.
When a message appears asking you to confirm you want to install the profile, click Install.
The profile is installed in the Device Management settings of the General
settings. You can then add the printer to your printer list.