How to Add a Printer on Mac

macOS lists nearby printers as soon as you open the add dialog, and most models connect through AirPrint with nothing to download. Here is the full path, plus the IP fallback for a printer that does not show up.

Open Printers & Scanners

Click the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar. Make sure the printer is turned on and on the same Wi-Fi network as the Mac, or plugged in by USB.

Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax

Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button (shown as a plus sign in some versions). A dialog opens on the Default tab with every printer the Mac can see on the network or over USB.

Select the printer and click Add

Click the printer in the list. The Use field fills in on its own, usually with AirPrint or the maker's driver if one is already installed. Leave it as is and click Add. The printer now appears in the Printers & Scanners list and in every app's print dialog.

Add it by IP address if it is missing

In the same dialog, click the IP tab. In Address, type the printer's IP address. Get it by printing a network configuration page from the printer's network or reports menu. Leave Protocol on AirPrint for a recent printer. Give it a name if you like, check that Use shows AirPrint or a detected driver, and click Add.

Print a test document

Open any document and press Command + P. The new printer should be selected, or pick it from the Printer menu, then click Print. If the job goes through, the setup is complete.

If the printer is older. Nearly every printer sold in the last decade supports AirPrint, which is why no driver download is needed. For an older model that does not, download the macOS driver from the maker's support site, install it, then repeat the steps above so Use picks up the driver.

If the Mac still cannot find it. Restart the printer and give it a minute to rejoin Wi-Fi. If it still does not appear under Default, try the IP tab, since the address route works even when network discovery is blocked.