Any Mac user can print documents — the only condition is to have a printer. You can learn how to add a printer on a Mac and do the printing by reading this guide and the instructions supplemented with your particular printer model.

Method 1: Add a Printer to a Mac via WPS

Connecting via WPS would normally require you to press the “Wireless” or ‘Wi-Fi” button on your printer, followed by the WPS button on your router. However, steps will vary depending on which printer and router you have, so check your printer and router user guides for specific instructions. Once you’ve set up WPS, you can proceed to the steps below.

• Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
• Go to System Preferences.

• Click on Printers and Scanners. On older Mac models, this will appear as Print & Scan under Hardware.

• Click the + sign below the list of printers. For older Mac models, you might have to click Add Printer or Scanner after you click on the + sign. You might also see printers detected by your Mac under Nearby Printers in the Add Printer or Scanner submenu.

• Select the printer you would like to add. In the Default tab, your Mac displays a list of discoverable printers on the network.

• Finally, click Add. The new printer will be added to the list of printers. You will be able to see this on the left-hand side of the Print & Scan window.

Method 2: Add a Printer to Mac via USB

Printers that do not have networking capabilities can only be added through a USB or wired connection. Some printers, though capable of wireless printing, still need to be connected to USB as part of the set-up process. Here’s how to add a printer via USB.

• Plug your printer’s USB into your Mac laptop or desktop.

Note: Your Mac will automatically detect printers connected by USB and download the required software. If it does not auto-detect, proceed to the next step.

• Select Menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
• Click Printers and Scanners. On older Mac models, this will appear as Print & Scan under Hardware.
• Click the + sign below the list of printers.

• Select the printer you want to add. macOS will automatically scan the network for any compatible wireless or network printers.
• In the Use field, select your printer’s software or driver. You can choose from AirPrint, your printer’s driver, or Auto Select for your Mac to download the correct driver once it updates.

• Click Add. The printer will be added to the list of printers. You will be able to see this on the left-hand side of the Print & Scan window.

Method 3: Add a Printer via IP Address

If you add a printer using this step, you would need to know your printer’s IP address. Here’s how you can find your printer’s IP address. Once you know this information, you would just have to go to System Preferences then add the printer from the Printers & Scanners menu. Here’s how you can do this step by step.

• Select Menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Add and then select the IP button.

• Type your printer’s IP address in the Address field. Your Mac will try to gather information about the printer.

If you don’t know your printer’s IP address, check out our previous article on how to find your printer IP address. What are you waiting for? Try it now and start printing from your Mac device!