To connect a Bluetooth printer, put it in pairing (discoverable) mode first, then add it from the printer screen, not the general Bluetooth list.
On Windows 11 that is Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. On a Mac it is System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
Phones work differently. Android’s built-in printing expects a printer on Wi-Fi or mobile data, and iPhone’s AirPrint needs the printer on the same Wi-Fi network. So a Bluetooth-only printer on a phone often runs through its maker’s app.
The most common failure is a printer that shows as paired but never appears as a printer. That often means the printer needs its maker’s driver, covered below. Also check what kind of printer you have: some Wi-Fi printers, HP’s among them, use Bluetooth only during setup.
Connect a Bluetooth printer to Windows 11
- Turn the printer on and make it discoverable. The button or menu for this differs by model, so check its manual.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device. Windows can take a few minutes to search.
- When your printer appears, select Add device next to it.
Once it’s added, print a test page to confirm the driver works. Our guide on how to print a test page on Windows and Mac shows where that button lives.
Video: Hanin iDPRT
Paired, but not listed as a printer
Microsoft’s printer steps start from Printers & scanners, not the general Bluetooth & devices > Add device list. If your printer is paired but missing from the print dialog, remove it and add it again from Printers & scanners.
Remove the device, then add it again from Printers & scanners. Label and receipt printers often need one more step. iDPRT’s own Windows 11 walkthrough above pairs the printer, checks the Bluetooth communication port, then installs the maker’s driver.
Connect it to a Mac
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, select your printer, then click Add.
Apple says that if a Bluetooth printer doesn’t appear, install the latest Bluetooth driver from the manufacturer. Some portable printers skip macOS Bluetooth support entirely, so check the maker’s spec page before you buy.
Print from an iPhone or Android phone
Install the maker’s official app and pair from inside it. Check the developer name in the store listing. The same check helps when you pick from the best free weather apps for iPhone.
On Android, print services live under Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Printing. If you’re trimming subscriptions, here is how to cancel an Apple TV subscription from the same phone.
Bluetooth printer or Wi-Fi printer that uses Bluetooth for setup
HP’s setup guide tells you to turn on Bluetooth so the HP app can detect the printer during setup. Once it is on Wi-Fi, a new router means setting it up again, so plan for that before you cancel Xfinity service.
| Platform | Where you add it | Bluetooth printing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners | Yes, pair from the printer screen | Microsoft Support |
| macOS | System Settings > Printers & Scanners | Yes, may need maker’s Bluetooth driver | Apple Support |
| Android | Maker’s app; built-in print services use Wi-Fi | Through the maker’s app | Google Pixel Help |
| iPhone | Maker’s app; AirPrint uses Wi-Fi | Through the maker’s app | Apple Support |
Source: Microsoft, Apple Mac Help, Apple AirPrint, Google, checked November 7, 2026.
FAQ
Why won’t my Bluetooth printer show up on Windows?
Make sure it is in discoverable mode and close to the PC, then search from Printers & scanners rather than the general Bluetooth list. Microsoft notes the search can take a few minutes. If it still doesn’t appear, install the manufacturer’s driver and search again.
Can an iPhone print over Bluetooth with AirPrint?
No. Apple’s AirPrint steps put the printer and the iPhone on the same Wi-Fi network. A Bluetooth-only printer needs the maker’s app instead, and some, such as HPRT’s MT800, list Bluetooth support for phones but not for Mac.
Do I need to keep Bluetooth on after setup?
Only for a true Bluetooth printer. HP’s app uses Bluetooth to detect the printer during setup, and the printer then works on your Wi-Fi network.
