Not all USB printers are compatible with Macs. Check the documentation to confirm your printer is compatible. If it is, it also connects to the Mac automatically, although the setup requires a couple of extra steps.
Add an AirPrint-Compatible Printer to a Mac
No setup is required if an AirPrint-compatible printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. To find out if your printer is connected to your Mac through AirPrint, turn on the printer, open a document on the Mac, and choose File > Print from the menu bar. If the printer name appears next to Printer, you don’t need to do any more work.
How to Add the Printer to a Mac
If the printer name doesn’t appear next to Printer, you need to add the printer to the Mac. Click the arrow in the Printer field and select Add Printer. Select your printer from the list of printers the Mac can see, then click Add. The Mac printer support system is robust. If you have an AirPrint printer, you don’t need to check for system updates. OS X and macOS come with many third-party printer drivers. Apple automatically includes printer driver updates in its software update service.
Add a USB Printer to a Mac
Compatible USB printers are almost as easy to install on a Mac as AirPrint printers. These simple steps have most printers up and running in no time, but occasionally the automatic printer installation doesn’t work. If you encounter problems, install the printer manually. The Mac detects any compatible printer you connect. However, you may have to add it in the Printers & Scanners System Preferences, particularly if the printer is old.
