Connecting a Canon Printer to Your Phone via Wi-Fi: Complete Instructions (2026)

Wireless printing from your phone to your printer Canon It saves time and eliminates the need to transfer files to a computer. However, many users encounter problems when first connecting: devices don't "see" each other, authentication errors occur, or printing stops halfway through a document. In this article, we'll look at All the ways to connect Canon printers to Android and iPhone via Wi-Fi, including configuration via the app Canon PRINT, direct printing Wi-Fi Direct and solutions to common mistakes.

Feature of printers Canon (series PIXMA MG, G, MAXIFY etc.) — support for multiple wireless printing protocols. This means you can connect not only through your home network but also directly to the printer if the router is unavailable. We'll explore both options and explain why a phone sometimes "loses" the printer after a firmware update or changing the Wi-Fi password.

Important: If your printer was released before 2018, some features (e.g. AirPrint (For iPhone) may be missing. In this case, additional software will be required. More on this in the compatibility section.

1. Checking the compatibility of the printer and phone

Before you begin setup, make sure your printer is Canon supports wireless connection. Most modern models (for example, Canon PIXMA MG3640, G3260, TR4720) are equipped with a Wi-Fi module, but there are exceptions:

• 🔹 Models with Wi-Fi: there are letters in the name MG, G, MAXIFY, TS or TRThere's an antenna icon 📶 on the body.
• 🔸 Models without Wi-Fi: budget series Canon iP (For example, iP2840) or old ones MP-printers. They will require a USB-OTG adapter.
• 📱 Phone compatibility: Android 6.0+ or ​​iOS 11+. On iPhone, printing is possible via AirPrint (if the printer supports it).

To find out the exact capabilities of your model, check the technical specifications on the official website. Canon or look at the sticker on the back of the printer - the protocol should be indicated there 802.11b/g/n.

⚠️ Attention: Printers Canon with support Wi-Fi Direct (For example, MG3650S) can connect to a phone without a router, but in this mode, Internet access on the phone will be blocked.

2. Preparing the printer for connection

Before setting up Wi-Fi, follow these basic steps:

1. Plug the printer into a power outlet and press the power button. Wait until the indicator light stops flashing (the printer should be in standby mode).
2. Make sure there is paper in the tray and the cartridges are installed (even if you don't plan to print a test page).
3. Check if the Wi-Fi indicator (usually blue or green) is on. If not, press and hold the button. Wi-Fi (or Wireless) 3–5 seconds.

If the printer is new, it may be in mode "Settings" (The indicator flashes orange). In this case:

4. Press and hold the button Stop/Reset (red) 5 seconds until the green indicator flashes.
5. On the display (if available), select your language and country. For models without a display, use the button combination as per the instructions.

Make sure the printer is plugged into a 220V power supply.

Check availability of paper and cartridges|

Activate the Wi-Fi button on the printer|

Reset settings if the indicator is flashing orange|

Select language/country (for models with display)-->

For printers with a touch screen (eg. Canon TS8350) the path to the Wi-Fi settings is: Menu → Settings → Wireless → LAN Setup.

3. Connecting via a home Wi-Fi router

This is the main method for printing from your phone and computer simultaneously. This guide is for printers Canon PIXMA MG, G, MAXIFY and other series with Wi-Fi support.

Step 1: Connecting the printer to the router

There are two options:

• 📡 Via WPS: press the button WPS on the router, then hold down the button on the printer Wi-Fi 2 seconds. The printer indicator should turn blue.
• 🔑 Manually: On the printer, select the Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password. For models without a display, use the software Canon IJ Network Tool (install on PC).

If the printer does not connect:

• Check that the router is in the mode 802.11n (and not only 802.11ac).
• Disable the function on your router WPA3 - some old printers Canon it is not supported.
• Restart your router and printer (turn them off for 30 seconds).

Step 2: Install the app on your phone

For Android and iPhone, download the official app Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY:

• 🤖 Google Play
• 🍎 App Store

After installation:

1. Open the app and allow access to files/photos.
2. Click Add a printer → select your model from the list.
3. If the printer is not found, click Manual search and enter its IP address (you can find out through Canon IJ Network Tool on PC).

⚠️ Attention: If the printer disappears from the list of devices after connecting, check the power saving settings on your phone. Some models (for example, Xiaomi) automatically disable background running of applications.

4. Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (without a router)

This method allows you to print directly from your phone, even if you don't have Wi-Fi at home. It's compatible with printers that support Wi-Fi Direct (For example, Canon PIXMA MG3650S, G4210).

Step 1: Activate Wi-Fi Direct on the printer

On printers with a screen:

1. Go to Settings → Wireless → Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Turn on the mode and write down the network name (DIRECT-xx-Canon_XX:XX) and password.

On printers without a screen (for example, MG2540S):

1. Hold the button Wi-Fi 5 seconds until the indicator starts flashing blue.
2. Click the button Color (color printing) 1 time, then Wi-Fi Once again. The printer will print a sheet with connection data.

Step 2: Connect your phone to the printer

On Android:

1. Open Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Find the printer network (starts with DIRECT- or Canon_) and connect by entering the password.
3. Launch the application Canon PRINT — the printer should be detected automatically.

On iPhone:

1. Connect to the printer's network Settings → Wi-Fi.
2. Open the document for printing → Share → Print → select a printer.

⚠️ Attention: In mode Wi-Fi Direct Your phone will lose internet access. To restore the connection, disconnect from the printer's network and reconnect to your home Wi-Fi.

What should I do if my phone can't see the Wi-Fi Direct network?

If the network DIRECT-xx-Canon does not appear in the Wi-Fi list on the phone:

1. Restart the printer (turn it off for 1 minute).

2. Check that the printer is in the active mode. Wi-Fi Direct (the indicator flashes blue).

3. On Android, enable the "Show hidden networks" option in Wi-Fi settings.

4. For iPhone: some models Canon do not support Wi-Fi Direct With iOS. Use a router connection.

5. Printing from your phone: step-by-step instructions

Once successfully connected, you can begin printing. Let's look at three options:

Method 1: Via the Canon PRINT app

Suitable for all file types (documents, photos, web pages):

1. Open the app and select your printer.
2. Click Photo or Document → select a file from the gallery/cloud.
3. Configure the settings:
   • 📄 Paper size: A4, A5 or 10×15 cm (for photos).
   • 🎨 Quality: Draft (saves ink) or High.
   • 🔄 Double-sided printing: Not available for all models.

Click Seal.

Method 2: Via AirPrint (for iPhone)

If your printer Canon supports AirPrint (list of models Here), printing is even easier:

1. Open a document or photo on your iPhone.
2. Click Share → Seal.
3. Select your printer from the list (should appear automatically).
4. Set the number of copies and click Seal.

Method 3: Via cloud services

If your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, you can print from:

• 📎 Google Drive: open file → Open in... → Seal.
• ☁️ Canon Cloud Link: Upload the file to the cloud Canon via the app, then send it to print.
• 📧 Email-print: some models (for example, MAXIFY MB5450) have a unique email address for printing. Send the document to this address.

Printing method	Supported formats	Is an app required?	Works without a router
Canon PRINT	JPEG, PDF, DOCX, PPTX	Yes	Yes (via Wi-Fi Direct)
AirPrint (iPhone)	JPEG, PNG, PDF, Pages	No	No
Google Drive	PDF, DOCX, TXT	No	No
Email-print	JPEG, PDF (up to 10 MB)	No	Yes

6. Solving typical errors

If your printer does not connect or printing is interrupted, check the following:

Error 1: "Cannot find printer"

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔌 The printer is turned off or offline: Check the Wi-Fi indicator (it should be blue). Restart the printer.
• 📶 Weak Wi-Fi signal: Move the printer closer to the router or use a signal repeater.
• 🔒 Incorrect password: reset the Wi-Fi settings on the printer (hold Wi-Fi 10 seconds) and reconnect.
• 📱 Application blocking: On Android, check permissions for Canon PRINT V Settings → Applications.

Error 2: "Connection error" (code E08, E16)

These codes indicate problems with your network connection:

• If the printer was previously connected to a different router, reset its settings: hold Stop/Reset 10 seconds until the indicator flashes 15 times.
• Disable the function on your router AP Isolation (client isolation) - it can block communication between the phone and the printer.
• Update your printer firmware via Canon IJ Network Tool (download from official website).

Error 3: Printing stops or is slow

Common causes:

• 🖨️ Paper jammed: Open the printer cover and carefully remove the sheet.
• 🖼️ File too large: Reduce the image resolution to 150–300 dpi.
• 📶 Network congestion: Disconnect other devices from Wi-Fi while printing.
• 🔋 Low cartridge charge: check the ink levels in the app Canon PRINT.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer Canon After connecting to Wi-Fi, the ink cartridge starts flashing orange. This indicates a cartridge error. Remove and reinsert it, even if there's enough ink.

7. Alternative connection methods

If your Wi-Fi isn't working or your printer is too old, try these methods:

Via USB-OTG (for Android)

You will need:

• 🔌 Adapter USB-OTG (For example, Type-C to USB-A).
• 🖨️ Cable USB A-B (usually comes with the printer).

Connect the printer to your phone via an adapter, then in the app Canon PRINT select USB connection.

Via Google Cloud Print (legacy method)

Service Google Cloud Print Closed since December 2020, but some printers Canon still support alternative cloud solutions:

• ☁️ Canon Cloud Link: Register the printer to your account Canon and print via the web interface.
• 📧 E-mail Print: Send documents to a unique printer address (e.g. yourprinter@pixma.print.canon).

Via PC as an intermediary

If the printer is connected to the computer via USB:

1. Turn on printer sharing in Control Panel → Devices and Printers (Windows).
2. Install the application on your phone PrinterShare and select the printer via local network.

How to find the printer's IP address for manual connection?

1. On printers with a screen: Settings → Wireless → LAN Connection → Details.

2. Via PC: Run Canon IJ Network Tool → select the printer → look at the IP in the line Status.

3. Via the router: go to the router's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1) and check the list of connected devices.

8. Optimizing printing from your phone

To make printing fast and cost-effective, follow these tips:

• 🖼️ For photos: use paper Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II and regime High quality in the settings.
• 📄 For documents: choose Draft And Black and white printing, if the color is not important.
• 🔋 Ink Saving: in the app Canon PRINT turn on the option Economy mode.
• 📱 Automatic cropping: For screenshots and web pages, use the function Trimming before printing.

If you print often, set up quick commands:

• On Android: Add a widget Canon PRINT to the main screen.
• On iPhone: Use Siri Shortcuts to initiate printing with your voice (e.g. "Hey Siri, print the last screenshot").

This feature is useful for business users. Canon Print Business (available for models MAXIFY): it allows you to print from cloud storage (Dropbox, OneDrive) and save frequently used templates.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

My Canon printer doesn't support Wi-Fi. How do I print from my phone?

There are three options:

1. Use USB-OTG Direct connection adapter (Android only).
2. Connect the printer to your PC via USB and enable sharing, then print via apps like PrinterShare.
3. Buy Wi-Fi adapter for printer (For example, TP-Link TL-WPS510U), if the printer has a USB port.

Why does my Canon printer connect to Wi-Fi but won't print from my phone?

Check:

• In the appendix Canon PRINT The correct printer has been selected.
• It's turned on on the phone. Background mode for the application (on Android: Settings → Apps → Canon PRINT → Battery → Unlimited).
• The file does not exceed the size limit (usually up to 50 MB).
• The printer does not have an orange error light (paper jam or empty cartridge).

How to connect a Canon printer to a phone via Bluetooth?

Most printers Canon do not support Bluetooth. Exception: some models SELPHY (For example, Canon SELPHY CP1500), which can print photos via Bluetooth using an app Canon PRINT.

Alternative:

• Use Wi-Fi Direct - it's faster and more reliable.
• For older printers, buy Bluetooth adapter for USB port (For example, Asus USB-BT400).

Is it possible to print from a phone to a Canon printer without apps?

Yes, if the printer supports:

• 🍎 AirPrint (for iPhone): open the document → Share → Print.
• 🤖 Mopria Print Service (for Android): install the application Mopria from Google Play, then print through the menu Share.
• ☁️ Cloud Printing: Upload the file to Google Drive and press Open in... → Print.

Without additional applications, you can print only if the printer supports standard protocols (AirPrint, Mopria, IPP).

How to reset Wi-Fi settings on a Canon printer?

The method depends on the model:

• 🖥️ With screen: Settings → Wireless → Reset LAN settings.
• 🔘 Without screen: hold the button Wi-Fi 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes orange.
• 💻 Via PC: use the utility Canon IJ Network Tool → select a printer → Settings → Reset network settings.

After resetting, the printer will create a new network. Wi-Fi Direct with a standard password (usually 12345678 or indicated on the sticker).