The process of setting up or connecting the printer to your Mac computer is very simple and smooth, and you can do it very easily whether you need to add one printer to multiple systems for business purposes and home systems. In this blog, you will get a detailed explanation of how to add or connect a printer to your Mac system, laptop, or desktop.
Steps to Connect a Wireless Printer to Mac Computer
You can add your wireless printer through a Wi-Fi-protected set-up or Bluetooth. You need to follow the steps to connect your printer to Mac.
Connect your Printer to a Mac Device Using WPS
If you want to connect your printer to your Mac, then you need to press the Wi-Fi or Wireless button on your printer. You can get the WPS button on your router. However, steps totally depend on which router or printer you have. So, you need to check your router and printer to get instructions. Once you have a Wi-Fi-protected set-up, you can follow the steps.
- Tap on the Apple icon that appears at the top-left side of your screen.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Press the Printers and Scanners. On older Mac systems, you can see this icon as Print and Scan under Hardware.
- Press the + sign that appears below the printer’s list. For older Mac models, you need to press Add Printer or Scanner once you click on the + sign. You can also see printers that are detected by Mac under nearby pictures in the Scanner and Add Printer submenu.
- Choose what printer you want to add. In the default tab, your Mac system will display a discoverable printers list on the network.
- Select the printers’ driver or software in the Use Field. You can check the below points:
- Airprint: It is Apple’s native printing technology that lets you print from Airprint- supported printers using Wi-Fi. However, if your printer is not-AirPrint supported, you need to install the driver from Apples’ servers.
- You have your printer driver if you have that installed.
- Auto Select: If you don’t have the print driver, but your system can download the right one when it updates.
- Finally, tap on Add. The new printer will add to the printers’ list. You can also see this on the left-hand side of the Scan and Print window.
Connect your Printer to a Mac using a USB Cable
Printers who don’t have network capabilities can be added through wired or USB connections. Some printers, who are capable of wireless printing, still need to be connected to a USB cable. Follow the below steps to connect a printer using USB.
- Connect your printers’ USB into your Mac system, desktop, or laptop.
- Press the Apple icon.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Press the Printers and Scanners. For older Mac models, you can see this option as Print and Scan under Hardware.
- Press the + sign below the printer’s list.
- Choose any printer to add. In the default tab, your Mac system will auto-populate printers’ lists on the network. Now, search for a printer name with a USB cable under the column.
- Press the Add option. The printer will add to the printers’ list. You can see this on your left-hand side of the Scan and Print window.
Connect a Printer Using IP Address
If you want to add a printer to your Mac system using an IP address, then you should have the printers’ IP address. You can find your printers’ IP address on the Add icon. You can follow the below steps to connect your printer to a Mac device.
- Press the Apple icon.
- Open to System Preferences.
- Press the Printers and Scanners.
- Now, hit the + sign below the printers’ list.
- Tap on the IP icon. This can look like a blue globe icon.
- You need to enter your printers’ IP address in the address field. Your Mac system will try to collect details about the printer.
- You can also rename your printer if you want to.
- In the use field, select the print driver you want to use.
- Press the Add option.
Conclusion
Now, you can add or connect your printer to your Mac system, desktop, or laptop. You will have many options to connect your printer to the Mac device safely. You only need to have a USB cable, WPS, or printers’ IP address to connect your printer to the system.
Read Official Blog Post – Tips to Connect your Printer to a Mac System
