Whether you just bought your first Mac or found a great deal on a printer, you’re going to want to connect the two. Printing PDFs, images, or documents from Mac is easy, but until you add a printer, you’re in a pickle.
Be sure that you follow the instructions for your printer for any necessary setup ahead of adding it to your Mac, such as connecting it to your local network or setting up Bluetooth. When you’re ready, though, here’s how to add a printer to a Mac.
Contents
- How to add a printer on a Mac
How to add a printer on a Mac
Step 1: Like most settings on MacOS, you’ll find those for adding a printer in System Preferences. Click the Apple icon and pick System Preferences or click the System Preferences icon in your Dock.
On the main screen, open Printers & Scanners. You’ll see any connected printers listed on the left. So, if you plug a USB printer into to your Mac, you should already see it listed and ready for use. If you don’t see the printer you need, click the plus sign button at the bottom of the list to add it.
Step 2: If you have a printer connected to your home network or via Bluetooth, you can add it to your list by choosing the Default tab at the top of the Add Printer window.
Pick the printer in the list or use the Search box at the top to locate it. Enter a Name and optionally a Location for the printer. Select the Use drop-down box to pick the software for your printer or choose Select Software to find it in the list. Finally, click Add.
Step 3: Enter the following details for the printer:
- Address: Enter the IP address or host name for the printer.
- Protocol: Choose the protocol that your printer supports such as AirPrint, Internet Printing Protocol, or another option.
- Queue: If you have a queue name for your printer, enter it here. If not, check with your network administrator or leave it blank.
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As with the above printer types, enter a* Name*, optionally a Location, and choose the software from the Use drop-down list. Click* Add*.
Step 4: If you plan to use a printer connected to a Windows computer, be sure that the printer is set up for sharing. Obtain the workgroup name along with username and password if required. Then, pick the Windows tab at the top of the Add Printer window.
Select workgroup on the left and then click the corresponding name to the right for the print server. If prompted, enter the username and password. Enter a Name, optionally a Location, and then choose the correct software from the Use drop-down list. Click Add.
Step 5: Once you successfully add your printer to the list, it should be ready to use. You can, however, adjust more settings if you like.
To set the default printer and paper size, use the drop-down lists at the bottom of the Printers & Scanners window.
Step 6: For additional settings, double-click the printer in the list and then click Settings. You can view options for checking supply levels, using generic printer features, and accessing the printer web page. The settings may vary depending on your specific printer.
If you also own one of Apple’s mobile devices, learn how to print from your iPhone or iPad too!