Which Printer advice please?

[swimyalice]

Hi all, please can you advise a printer that is actually compatible with MacBook Pro's and iPhones?
Not sure if it's coincidence but after I updated to Sonoma 14.5 and iOS 17.5.1 my Canon just stopped being detectable at all - so no printing possible.
Also I recently changed from BT wireless router to a Sky one - not sure if that would mess things up - all devices connect to the new router, just not each other!
I today bought a HP all in one new printer and guess what same problem. I can't print anything other than photos from my phone - it is going back!! It doesn't recognise Pages documents either which is a total pain.

I have read a few times that Brother printers work well with Macs/iPhones and thought I'd get some advice before I waste more of my life trying to print anything useful.

Many thanks for your help!! Alice

 

[Weaselboy]

About AirPrint

AirPrint is an Apple technology that helps you create full-quality printed output without the need to download or install drivers.

support.apple.com

Anything that supports Airprint from this list should do the trick for you.

I use a Brother laser printer over wifi that works well from my Mac and iPhone and iPad.

 

[gilby101]

Epson (with AirPrint) works from Mac, iPhone, etc.

 

[splifingate]

My HP M477fdw is always responsive.

She's wired for LAN on a bespoke network, while simultaneously connected to my Ubiquity WIFI.

She always prints via LAN/AP.

Which HP AIO did you purchase?

 

[Sciuriware]

Hi all, please can you advise a printer that is actually compatible with MacBook Pro's and iPhones?
Not sure if it's coincidence but after I updated to Sonoma 14.5 and iOS 17.5.1 my Canon just stopped being detectable at all - so no printing possible.
Also I recently changed from BT wireless router to a Sky one - not sure if that would mess things up - all devices connect to the new router, just not each other!
I today bought a HP all in one new printer and guess what same problem. I can't print anything other than photos from my phone - it is going back!! It doesn't recognise Pages documents either which is a total pain.

I have read a few times that Brother printers work well with Macs/iPhones and thought I'd get some advice before I waste more of my life trying to print anything useful.

Many thanks for your help!! Alice

Which Canon model?
See my device list: MacOS found it right away from any Mac.
;JOOP!

 

[Mike Boreham]

@swimyalice I cant help feeling a bit of troubleshooting would be in order rather than replacement. People have their own brand preferences but I believe all the big name printers are compatible with macs and should work.

My own preference is Epson, based on years of good experience, most recently with the excellent but expensive Epson ET-8500. I have no regrets.

If you want advice about which printer to buy you need to supply a bit more info about usage, price range and specs. Eg if photos are important the answer will be different from a mainly documents usage.

 

[swimyalice]

Brilliant thanks everyone.
A recommendation on easy setup would be ideal thanks.
I have low to moderate usage for self employment purposes- I don’t need photos or high quality- just reliability and ease of use. It was HP aneco tank wireless all in one 5106.
I still have no idea why my Canon stopped being detectable after doing Mac OS and printer firmware updates I guess it’s a network issue rather than hardware?!

 

[Madonepro]

They are all pretty easy now. You probably already know this, but beware of the printers that have 'smart ink' as a feature. You get a cruddy little tank to start with, and then a subscription service.

 

[Mike Boreham]

Brilliant thanks everyone.
A recommendation on printer easy setup and ease of printing would be ideal thanks.
I have low to moderate usage for self employment purposes- I don’t need photos or high quality- just reliability and ease of use. It was HP aneco tank wireless all in one 5601.
I still have no idea why my Canon stopped being detectable after doing Mac OS and printer firmware updates I guess it’s a network issue rather than hardware?!

As said earlier most printers are very easy to set up and use with Apple's Airprint drivers, and this is sufficient for most people's purposes. If you are having trouble or want more features you can download the latest drivers from the manufacturers.

If you suspect the router I first would reboot the router, which you may have done, and then try deleting the printer from the network and then try resetting it up again from scratch which you may also have tried.

 

[swimyalice]

Sorry I forgot to mention I have a Canon ts5151 atm that won’t connect - I will reboot the router and try again with that to begin with

 

[Madonepro]

If you are still having issues, I found this info related to 'sky' routers.

1) Log into router (via your web browser)

2) Click the Wifi link in the menu bar across the top

3) Scroll down to the Wifi Access Point section

4) Untick the box marked Synchronise 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Settings

5) Click the Apply button at the bottom of the page

 

[Sciuriware]

Sorry I forgot to mention I have a Canon ts5151 atm that won’t connect - I will reboot the router and try again with that to begin with

I forgot to mention that most of my local connections are UTP cabled; also the printer.
You might test a cable connection first, but then your printer must be moved I presume.
;JOOP!

 

[dmt43]

They are all pretty easy now. You probably already know this, but beware of the printers that have 'smart ink' as a feature. You get a cruddy little tank to start with, and then a subscription service.

I was looking for a new printer and was shocked to find that most of the new ones now are on this ‘subscription’ service. Awful! Terrible!!! I don’t print that much. I don’t want to be on a monthly subscription!! I don’t want to be forced to buy ink!!! And if you decline that feature, there will be problems!! This greatly reduces my options for a new printer : (

 

[dmt43]

Epson (with AirPrint) works from Mac, iPhone, etc.

I have an Epson ET2650. I have a question on the software updates - I have no clue what it is trying to download when it says there’s an update - e.g. it now says an update to the “Software Updater” is available with my only option to click “Install”. How do I know it’s safe to install - it isn’t from the app store?? I can’t see the file name. And in general, how do I know the Epson downloads are safe? I feel like you just can’t be sure today - anyone can infect just about anything they choose to, if they want to! I try to avoid any software not from the Apple Store (and even there, they’ve had problems!) thanks! Donna

 

[chadamorrill]

I got fed up with my last ink printer way back now. I bought a Brother MFC-L3770cdw and it's awesome. I can print anything I want via my phone or macbook air.

 

[Ruggy]

'...all devices connect to the new router, just not each other!'
I think that's your problem. The computer needs to see the printer and vice versa.

I've checked the specifications now and it should work with the current operating system and Airprint meaning no driver issues. The OS should handle everything
It's either broken or more likely, it's your router.
I suggest as it's a new router you get Sky to help you with it. Otherwise give the model number and someone will undoubtedly be able to help.

 

[Ruggy]

I have an Epson ET2650. I have a question on the software updates - I have no clue what it is trying to download when it says there’s an update - e.g. it now says an update to the “Software Updater” is available with my only option to click “Install”. How do I know it’s safe to install - it isn’t from the app store?? I can’t see the file name. And in general, how do I know the Epson downloads are safe? I feel like you just can’t be sure today - anyone can infect just about anything they choose to, if they want to! I try to avoid any software not from the Apple Store (and even there, they’ve had problems!) thanks! Donna

I would recommend in that case you go looking for drivers for the Epson yourself.
Do a search, check what software is available, drivers etc - check the version and see how it corresponds to yours.
You can always download drivers, manuals, software yourself etc. Go to the Epson site and check the padlock in the address bar of your browser to verify the certificate of the site.
Very often there's no need to though. A lot of times it's stuff you don't need and usually the mac handles it all itself.

 

[phrehdd]

I got on a whim a very cheap Brother laser printer and it worked very well for me via direct connection and also WiFi. The only thing I didn't like was the minimal readout which is used to connect to a network (WiFi)...Doable but tedious. To date, I have no issues.