HP is the largest printer manufacturer in the world, and if you own an HP printer with Wi-Fi, there is a strong chance your iPhone already supports it through AirPrint. HP embraced Apple’s wireless printing standard earlier than most competitors, and AirPrint ships on the majority of DeskJet, ENVY, OfficeJet, and LaserJet models sold in the last fifteen years.
That does not mean every HP printer works with AirPrint. Some older models, USB-only devices, and specialty printers skip it. This guide covers which HP printers support AirPrint, how to set it up from your iPhone, and what to do when your HP does not appear in the print dialog. For the cross-brand picture, see our AirPrint compatible printers guide. For the iPhone printing workflow itself, start with print from iPhone.
What AirPrint Means for HP Printer Owners
AirPrint is Apple’s protocol for sending print jobs over Wi-Fi without installing drivers or manufacturer apps. Your iPhone discovers AirPrint-compatible printers on the local network, sends the document, and the printer outputs it. HP implements AirPrint in the printer’s firmware — it is either there or it is not.
For HP owners, the practical benefit is simplicity. You do not need HP Smart, HP Easy Start, or any desktop software to print a PDF from your iPhone. Open the file, tap Share, tap Print, select your HP, done. The same applies to iPad and Mac.
Wi-Fi is required. An HP printer connected only via USB to a computer cannot receive AirPrint jobs directly from your phone. The printer must be joined to your wireless network independently. If you are setting that up for the first time, our connect printer to iPhone guide walks through the process.
For background on how the protocol works, see our what is AirPrint guide.
HP Printer Lines and AirPrint Support
HP organizes its consumer and office printers into several families. Here is what to expect from each.
DeskJet Series
DeskJet is HP’s entry-level home inkjet line. Most DeskJet models with Wi-Fi sold since 2012 include AirPrint.
Common AirPrint-compatible DeskJet models:
- DeskJet 2700 / 2755e series — budget all-in-one, often bundled with HP Instant Ink
- DeskJet 4100 / 4155e series — mid-range home printer with scanning
- DeskJet Plus 6400 series — higher-end home model with ADF
Older DeskJet models without Wi-Fi (USB only) do not support AirPrint. Check the model number on the printer label — the last few characters matter.
ENVY Series
ENVY targets home users who want better photo quality and a sleeker design than DeskJet. AirPrint is standard on Wi-Fi-equipped ENVY models.
Common supported models:
- ENVY 6000 / 6400 series — compact home all-in-one
- ENVY Inspire 7200 / 7900 series — photo-focused home printer
- ENVY Pro 6400 series — home office crossover
ENVY printers are among the most common AirPrint devices in home networks. If a friend or family member owns an HP and prints from their iPhone, it is often an ENVY.
OfficeJet and OfficeJet Pro
OfficeJet handles home office and small business workloads. OfficeJet Pro adds faster print speeds, larger paper trays, and higher monthly duty cycles. AirPrint is included on virtually all Wi-Fi OfficeJet and OfficeJet Pro models.
Common supported families:
- OfficeJet 8010 / 8020 series — compact office all-in-one
- OfficeJet Pro 8020 / 9010 / 9020 series — small business workhorse
- OfficeJet Pro 8130 / 9130 series — higher-volume office models
These are reliable AirPrint choices for households that print documents frequently.
LaserJet Pro and LaserJet Enterprise
HP’s laser printers support AirPrint on models with built-in Wi-Fi or wireless networking. USB-only LaserJet models do not.
Common AirPrint-compatible laser models:
- LaserJet Pro MFP M28-M31 series — compact monochrome
- LaserJet Pro MFP M234 / M236 series — home and small office
- LaserJet Pro 4001 / 4004 series — higher-volume monochrome
- Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479 / M480 series — color office printing
Enterprise LaserJet models with wireless networking (often via an add-on card) also support AirPrint. Verify the specific model and configuration — enterprise printers sometimes ship without Wi-Fi by default.
HP Smart Tank
HP Smart Tank is HP’s refillable ink tank line, competing with Epson EcoTank and Canon MegaTank. Current Smart Tank models with Wi-Fi include AirPrint.
- Smart Tank 5100 / 580 series — home refillable tank
- Smart Tank 6000 / 7600 series — higher-capacity home and office
Smart Tank printers work well with iPhone printing and are worth considering if you print frequently and want low ink costs with AirPrint support.
HP Printers That May Lack AirPrint
- Very old DeskJet models (pre-2010, USB only)
- Some DesignJet large-format printers (varies by model)
- Specialty label and receipt printers (not consumer AirPrint devices)
- Printers without Wi-Fi (any series, any age)
When in doubt, search your exact model number in our database at /airprint-printers/ or on HP’s product specifications page under connectivity features.
How to Set Up HP AirPrint
AirPrint setup is really Wi-Fi setup. Once your HP printer is on your network, AirPrint works automatically — there is no separate AirPrint configuration step.
Method 1: HP Smart App (Easiest for Most People)
- Download HP Smart from the App Store.
- Open the app and tap Add Printer.
- Follow the guided setup — the app uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect your printer to your home network.
- Once the printer shows a solid blue Wi-Fi light, setup is complete.
HP Smart is HP’s official app. It is useful for initial setup even if you plan to print through AirPrint afterward. For a critical look at HP Smart and alternatives, see our HP Smart app alternatives guide.
Method 2: Printer Touchscreen
Many HP printers have a touchscreen with a wireless setup wizard.
- On the printer, tap the Wireless or Setup icon.
- Select Wireless Setup Wizard or Wi-Fi Setup.
- Choose your home network from the list.
- Enter your Wi-Fi password using the on-screen keyboard.
- Wait for the connection confirmation.
Method 3: WPS Button
If your router has a WPS button:
- Press the WPS button on your router.
- Within two minutes, press and hold the Wireless button on the HP printer until the light blinks.
- The printer connects automatically. No password entry needed.
Verify AirPrint Is Working
After Wi-Fi setup:
- Connect your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open Safari and load any webpage.
- Tap Share → Print.
- Your HP printer should appear in the printer list.
If it appears, AirPrint is working. No further configuration needed. If it does not, jump to the troubleshooting section below.
Printing From iPhone to HP Without HP Smart
You do not need any HP software to print from your iPhone. The built-in AirPrint workflow handles everything.
From Safari, Mail, Photos, or Files:
- Open the document, photo, or webpage.
- Tap the Share button (square with arrow).
- Scroll down and tap Print.
- Select your HP printer from the list.
- Adjust copies, page range, color, and double-sided options.
- Tap Print in the top right corner.
This is identical to printing to any other AirPrint brand. HP does not gate AirPrint behind an account or subscription — including for printers enrolled in HP Instant Ink.
From third-party apps: Most apps that support iOS sharing also support printing. Look for Share → Print. If an app lacks a print option, try opening the file in Files or Safari first.
If you print often and want a document inbox rather than hunting through Mail and Files each time, Smart Printer is a third-party iOS app that organizes documents and sends them to any AirPrint printer — including HP models. It is not made by HP and uses the same AirPrint protocol as the built-in Share menu.
HP AirPrint vs. HP Smart App Printing
HP Smart can also send print jobs, but it routes them through HP’s own protocol rather than (or in addition to) AirPrint. For most iPhone users, the difference does not matter — both paths produce the same printed page.
| Method | Requires HP Smart | Requires Account | Works Offline (Local Network) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPrint (Share → Print) | No | No | Yes |
| HP Smart app printing | Yes | Sometimes | Yes |
| HP ePrint (email to printer) | No | Yes | No (requires internet) |
Use AirPrint when: you want the fastest path from any app to your printer.
Use HP Smart when: you need ink level monitoring, firmware updates, scanning through the printer’s ADF, or you are setting up the printer for the first time.
Our best printer apps guide compares HP Smart against other options across brands.
Troubleshooting HP AirPrint
HP printer not showing on iPhone. Confirm both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network — not guest Wi-Fi on the phone and main network on the printer. Wake the printer from sleep. Restart the printer and your iPhone. If the printer still does not appear, restart your router.
Printer appears but job does not print. Check the HP display for errors — paper jam, low ink, offline status. Cancel the stuck job from the iPhone print queue (App Switcher → Print Center) and resend. See our fix printer offline guide if the printer reports offline.
AirPrint worked before and stopped. Firmware updates, router changes, and IP address conflicts are the usual causes. Update the printer firmware through HP Smart. Assign a static IP to the printer in your router settings to prevent address changes. Our AirPrint not working guide covers a full diagnostic sequence.
HP printer on Instant Ink will not print. Instant Ink pauses printing if your subscription lapses or payment fails — this is unrelated to AirPrint. Check your Instant Ink account status at hp.com/instantink. AirPrint connectivity can be fine while the printer refuses jobs due to subscription status.
New router, printer disappeared. Printers remember the old network. Reconnect the HP to your new Wi-Fi using HP Smart or the printer’s wireless setup wizard.
HP AirPrint Tips
Keep firmware updated. HP releases AirPrint stability fixes through firmware updates, not app updates. Check for updates in HP Smart or on the printer’s web interface (enter the printer’s IP address in a browser).
Use 2.4 GHz for the printer. Many HP printers connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network names, connect the printer to 2.4 GHz. If you use a single combined network name, the router usually handles band steering automatically.
Disable HP cartridge protection if using third-party ink. Some HP printers block non-HP cartridges, which can cause print failures that look like AirPrint problems. This setting is in the printer’s web interface under Settings → Cartridge Protection.
Set your HP as the default printer on iPhone. After printing once, your iPhone remembers the HP and pre-selects it next time.
Choosing an HP Printer for AirPrint
If you are buying a new HP printer and want reliable iPhone printing, any current DeskJet, ENVY, OfficeJet, or Smart Tank model with Wi-Fi is a safe bet. For a searchable list of specific models, use our /airprint-printers/ database filtered by HP.
Prioritize Wi-Fi over USB-only models. Prioritize current product lines over discontinued models that may lack firmware updates. If you print frequently, Smart Tank or OfficeJet Pro models offer lower running costs with the same AirPrint support as budget DeskJet printers.
Compare HP against other brands in our AirPrint compatible printers guide — Canon, Epson, and Brother all offer strong AirPrint support, and the printing experience from your iPhone is nearly identical across brands.
The Bottom Line
HP and AirPrint go together naturally. Most HP Wi-Fi printers support it out of the box, setup is a one-time Wi-Fi connection, and daily printing from your iPhone takes ten seconds through the Share menu. HP Smart is helpful for setup and maintenance but optional for printing.
Connect your HP to Wi-Fi, confirm it appears in the iPhone print dialog, and you are done. When something breaks, the fix is almost always on the network side — not your phone.