Bluetooth printing uses a short-range direct connection between your device and the printer. It can be useful without Wi-Fi or for quick one-device printing, but not every wireless printer includes Bluetooth. Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct are separate features.
Does this affect you?
Use this guide if your printer has a Bluetooth logo, button, or listed Bluetooth support and you want to print from a laptop, phone, or tablet without joining the same Wi-Fi network.
Connect a Bluetooth printer to Windows
Pairing is separate from adding the printer for printing.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the printer from its menu or button.
- On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Click Add device and choose Bluetooth.
- Select the printer when it appears and enter a PIN if the printer asks for one.
- After pairing, open Printers & scanners and add the printer as a printer device.
Connect to iPhone or iPad
iOS usually discovers printers through the print flow rather than treating them like ordinary Bluetooth accessories.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the printer.
- Open the app you want to print from, tap Share, then Print.
- Tap the printer field and wait for nearby printers.
- If nothing appears, confirm Bluetooth is on in iPhone or iPad settings and keep the printer nearby.
Connect to Android
Android may require pairing plus the built-in or manufacturer print service.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the printer.
- Open Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device and select the printer.
- Open Printing settings and enable Default Print Service or the manufacturer print plugin.
- Print from an app and choose the Bluetooth printer.
More control
Bluetooth is short-range
Expect about 30 feet in ideal conditions and usually one active device at a time. For a household or office, Wi-Fi is usually better.
Wireless does not always mean Bluetooth
Many printers advertise wireless because they support Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. Check the exact spec sheet.
Forget and pair again
If pairing partially works but printing fails, remove the printer from Bluetooth devices and repeat pairing from scratch.
Sources
- Microsoft Support – Connect to a Bluetooth Printer (2025)
- Apple Support – Print from Your iPhone or iPad (2025)
- Google Support – Print from Your Android Device (2025)