TL;DR
To add a printer to your Mac:
- USB Printer: Connect the printer to your Mac via USB, and it should auto-detect, otherwise, manually add it in Printers & Scanners settings.
- Wi-Fi Printer: Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi, then add it to your Mac through System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Manually Add a Printer: If the printer isn’t detected, manually add it by ensuring it’s on the same Wi-Fi network and selecting it in System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Getting a printer to work with a Mac can be tricky, but with the right steps, it’s easy. In this post, I’ll show you quick methods to connect any printer, whether it’s USB, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. Let’s get started!
How to Add a Printer to a Mac
Why You Can Trust MacBook Journal 
We always conduct first-hand research and verify every method or solution we present, ensuring you receive reliable and effective advice. Learn more about our process.
Whether you have a USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or network printer, below, I’ll walk you through the various methods to add a printer to your Mac step-by-step.
1. Add a USB Printer
Follow these steps to add a USB printer to your Mac:
- Connect your printer to your Mac with a USB cable.
- Turn on the printer.
As soon as you connect the printer to your Mac, it will auto-detect the printer and download its required software. However, if the process doesn’t start, you can follow the next steps.
- Open the System Settings from the Apple menu.
- Click Printers & Scanners in the left sidebar.
- You should see your printer listed.
- If you don’t, click the Add Printer, Scanner or Fax… button.
- Select your printer from the list and click Add.
2. Add a Wi-Fi Printer
Many printers come with Wi-Fi connectivity, making it easy to print wirelessly. To add a Wi-Fi printer to your Mac, you must connect your printer to your local Wi-Fi network. Here’s how you can do it:
- Connect your printer to Wi-Fi using its control panel.
- On your Mac, click the Apple menu and go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax…, select your Wi-Fi printer from the list, and click Add.
- Optionally, print a test page to ensure everything is working.
3. Manually Add a Printer to Your Mac
If your printer doesn’t show up in the Printer menu, follow the steps below to add it to your Mac manually:
- Ensure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
- Open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners.
- Click the Add Printer, Scanner or Fax… button.
- Enter your admin username and password if required.
- Select your printer from the list and click Add.
4. Add a Network Printer Using Its IP Address
Network printers, often found in office settings, are designed to be easily accessible to multiple users within the same network. Follow these steps to add a network printer to your Mac:
- Open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners.
- Click the Add Printer, Scanner or Fax… button.
- Select the IP tab on the new window.
- Enter the printer’s IP address in the Address tab.
- Next, select a Protocol from the drop-down menu.
- In the lower section, type your printer’s name in the Name column and its location in the Location column (you’ll see the location in the pop-up menu).
- Select Choose a Drive menu next to Use. If you don’t see Choose a Driver in the Use column, you’ll have to download the printer drivers.
- When all the fields are filled, click the Add button to connect the printer.
Now the above method will only work if you know the printer’s IP address. If you don’t know the IP address, I’ve shared how you can find it below:
How to Find a Printer’s IP Address on a Mac
Follow these steps to find the IP address of your printer:
- Open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners.
- Select the printer you want to find the IP address for in the list.
- The IP address will be displayed in the printer details next to Location.
5. Add a Wi-Fi or Mobile Printer With a Configuration Profile
If your printer requires a special configuration profile for network or mobile printing, follow these steps to get it set up on your Mac quickly:
- Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, select your printer, and click Add.
- Download the configuration profile from the printer manufacturer’s website.
- Once downloaded, double-click the file to open it.
- A pop-up will prompt you to install the profile. Click Next and follow the instructions.
- Confirm the installation if prompted.
- After installation, check System Settings > Profiles to ensure the profile is active.
Did You Know? You can print from your iPhone or iPad using the same Wi-Fi printer you connect to your Mac. With AirPrint, your mobile devices can print wirelessly, too—no extra setup needed!
6. Add a Bluetooth Printer
If you have a Bluetooth printer, here’s how to add it to your Mac:
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both your printer and Mac.
- Pair your Mac with the printer in the Bluetooth settings.
- Open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners.
- Click the Add Printer, Scanner or Fax… button.
- Select your printer from the list and click Add.
7. Add a Printer to a Mac via WPS
WPS is another simple way to connect devices to your network. However, it only works if your network connection uses WPA and WPA2 encryption protocols. Follow these steps to add a printer to your Mac via WPS:
- Ensure your printer supports WPS.
- Press the WPS button on your printer.
- Press the WPS button on your router within 2 minutes.
- Once connected, open System Settings and click Printers & Scanners.
- Click the Add Printer, Scanner or Fax… button.
- Select your printer from the list and click Add.
Remember that some older printers may not be compatible with newer versions of macOS, so it’s always a good idea to check the printer manufacturer’s website for any known compatibility issues or recommendations.
Start Printing on Your Mac
Now that you have learned how to add a printer to your Mac, you may want to learn a few more things about Macs. Below, I’m leaving some tips for you:
- Using Mac keyboard shortcuts can help you take prints quickly.
- Keeping your Mac’s apps up to date prevents issues with printer connectivity.
- Some printers don’t work with older macOS versions. So, update your macOS to the latest version before printing anything.
