How to Add a Printer to a Mac?

Adding a printer to your Mac is a simple process, whether it’s a USB-connected printer or one on your wireless network. Modern versions of macOS can automatically detect and install most printers. Follow this step-by-step guide to get started.

Before You Begin

Power On: Ensure your printer is plugged in, powered on, and has paper and ink/toner.
Connect to Network (for Wireless): For Wi-Fi printers, make sure it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Consult your printer’s manual for how to connect it to Wi-Fi.
Check for Software: While usually unnecessary, it’s a good practice to check the printer manufacturer’s website (HP, Canon, Epson, etc.) for the latest macOS software or drivers, especially for older models.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Method 1: Adding a Wireless or Network Printer

This is the most common method for modern printers.

Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings… (on macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (on macOS Monterey or earlier).
- In this guide, we’ll use the modern System Settings view.
In the sidebar, click on Printers & Scanners. (In older macOS versions, this is called “Printers & Scanners” or “Print & Fax” in System Preferences).
Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax… button.
A new window will pop up. Your Mac will automatically search for available printers on your network. Please wait a moment for the list to populate.
Select your printer from the list by clicking its name. The system will often automatically select the correct Driver or Use option for you. The best choice is usually:
- AirPrint (if available): This is Apple’s standard and requires no extra drivers.
- Default or the driver name that appears automatically.
Click the Add button.

Your Mac will now download any necessary software and add the printer. It will appear in your list of printers and be ready to use.

Method 2: Adding a USB Printer

This process is often even easier due to automatic detection.

Connect your printer to your Mac using a USB cable.
Power on the printer.
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Your printer should automatically appear in the list on the left. If it has a green status indicator next to it, it’s already ready to use.
If it doesn’t appear automatically, click the Add… button. It should then appear in the pop-up window for you to select and add.

Method 3: Adding a Printer by IP Address (Advanced)

Use this if your network printer isn’t being discovered automatically.

Follow steps 1-3 from Method 1 to open the “Add Printer” window.
At the top of the window, click the IP tab.
In the Address field, type the IP address of your printer. (You can usually find this by printing a “Network Configuration Page” from your printer’s menu).
The Protocol should typically be left as HP Jetdirect – Socket.
The Name and Location fields will auto-fill, but you can customize them.
For Use, select Select Software… and try to find your exact printer model. If it’s not listed, you may need to download the driver from the manufacturer’s website first.
Click Add.

How to Set the Default Printer

Once added, you can set a printer as your default so it’s automatically selected when you print.

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Right-click (or Control-click) on the printer you want to set as default.
Select Set as Default Printer.

You can also set your Mac to always remember the last used printer by going to the printer list and choosing Last Used Printer from the default printer dropdown.

Troubleshooting Tips

Printer Not Found? Ensure both your Mac and the wireless printer are on the exact same Wi-Fi network. Restarting your printer and router can often resolve discovery issues.
Driver Issues: If the printer doesn’t work correctly after adding it, visit the manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest macOS driver. Then come back to these steps to add the printer again.
Test Print: Always print a test page (right-click the printer in your list and select Print Test Page) to confirm everything is working.

Conclusion: macOS is designed to make adding printers a seamless experience. In most cases, simply connecting the printer and clicking “Add” is all you need to do.