Before you start
You’ll need:
- An iPhone or iPad.
- The PDF file — attached to an email, saved in the Files app, or shown on a web page.
- A printer that supports AirPrint. Most printers made after 2010 do. If the box your printer came in has a little “AirPrint” logo on it, you’re good. If you’re not sure, see the note at the bottom of this page.
The steps
Open the PDF
- From an email: Open the Mail app, tap the message, and tap the PDF attachment at the bottom. It will expand to fill your screen.
- From a web page: If the PDF is a link on a website, tap it. Safari will open the PDF for you.
- From the Files app: Tap the Files app (a blue folder icon), tap Browse at the bottom, then On My iPhone or iCloud Drive, and tap the PDF.
Tap the Share button
Find the Share button. It looks like a small square with an arrow pointing up out of it, usually in the bottom-left or top-right corner of the screen.
Tap it once. A menu will slide up from the bottom of your screen showing a bunch of icons and options.
Scroll down and tap Print
Scroll the gray menu until you see an option called Print, with a little printer icon next to it. It’s usually near the bottom of the list.
Tap Print. A new screen called Printer Options will appear.
Pick your printer
At the top of Printer Options, tap where it says Printer (or Select Printer). Your iPhone will scan the Wi-Fi network for a few seconds, then show a list of nearby AirPrint printers. Tap the one you want.
Choose how many pages
Back on the Printer Options screen you’ll see:
- 1 Copy — this is how many complete copies you want. Tap + or − to change it.
- Range — tap this if you only want certain pages (handy for long PDFs). Pick the first and last page you want.
- Black & White — flip this switch on to save color ink.
- Double-sided — flip this on if your printer supports it.
Tap Print in the top-right corner
When you’re happy with your choices, tap the blue Print button in the top-right of the screen. Your iPhone will beep softly and the printer will start up. Paper should start coming out within a minute.
If something goes wrong
What if my printer doesn’t support AirPrint?
No problem — there are two easy ways around it:
- Use your printer’s own app. Most printer brands (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother) have a free app in the App Store. Search the App Store for your printer’s brand name, download the app, and it will help you print from your iPhone.
- Email the PDF to yourself and print from a computer. This takes longer but it works with any printer. See our email a PDF guide and then one of our computer guides (Windows or Mac) when you get to the other computer.
What’s next
If you’d rather not print at all and just want a digital copy on your phone, see our save a web page as a PDF guide — same idea, no printer needed.