Bluetooth Printers Explained: Which Printers Print Over Bluetooth and How to Connect

Published September 30, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

Most home inkjet and laser printers that say "Bluetooth" use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) only for setup: your phone finds the printer and hands it your Wi-Fi details, and then the actual printing happens over Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct. The printers that truly print over Bluetooth are mostly portable devices: pocket photo printers (like HP Sprocket, Kodak Step and Canon IVY), mobile receipt and label printers, and thermal "mini" printers. A few Canon inkjets can also print from an Android phone over Bluetooth through the Canon PRINT app. To connect, pair the printer inside its maker's app, not just in your phone's Bluetooth menu.

Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi vs Wi-Fi Direct: what's the difference?

Bluetooth is great for tiny, battery-powered printers because it's simple and uses little power. It's a poor fit for full-page documents and photos, which are large files, so full-size printers use Wi-Fi instead. HP explains how Wi-Fi Direct gives you a direct connection without Bluetooth's limits.

Can I print from my phone to my printer with Bluetooth?

Usually not, on a standard home printer. iPhones print through AirPrint, which uses Wi-Fi, not Bluetooth. Android's built-in printing (Mopria Print Service) uses Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi Direct; Mopria says printing over Bluetooth isn't supported. What your phone can do over Bluetooth is set up the printer in the manufacturer's app.

The exception: Canon's manual for the Canon PRINT app says that on supported models, Android users can print and scan over Bluetooth after pairing in the app. iPhone users on those same models still print over Wi-Fi.

Which printers actually print over Bluetooth?

Before you buy, check the spec sheet for the exact words "Bluetooth printing" or "print via Bluetooth." If it only says "Bluetooth Low Energy" or "Bluetooth setup," it prints over Wi-Fi. Shopping for a portable model? Browse portable Bluetooth printers on Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases.)

How to connect a Bluetooth printer to your phone

1. Charge and power on the printer. Portable printers often won't pair with a low battery.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone, and on Android allow Location/Nearby devices permission for the app (Android needs it to scan for Bluetooth devices).
3. Install the maker's app (HP Sprocket, Kodak Step, Canon PRINT or Canon Mini Print, Phomemo, Zebra, Brother). Many portable printers only accept print jobs from their own app.
4. Pair from inside the app. Pairing only in your phone's Bluetooth settings often isn't enough, and on some models it causes conflicts. If the app asks for a PIN, try 0000 or 1234 or check the manual.
5. Load paper correctly (for pocket photo printers, the blue calibration card goes in with the first pack).
6. Print a test. Keep the phone within a few feet for the first print.

How to set up a regular home printer with Bluetooth

1. Install HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel or Brother Mobile Connect.
2. Choose Add printer or Set up a new printer. With Bluetooth on, the app finds the printer nearby.
3. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password. The app sends it to the printer over Bluetooth.
4. Once it's on Wi-Fi, print from any app on your phone or computer.

Full walkthroughs: How to connect a printer to Wi-Fi and WPS PIN on a printer.

Bluetooth printer not connecting? Try this

• Unpair and re-pair inside the app. Also "forget" the printer in your phone's Bluetooth settings.
• Close other apps that might be holding the connection, and make sure only one phone is trying to connect.
• Restart both devices. Turn the printer off for 30 seconds.
• Update the app and printer firmware.
• Move closer and away from microwaves, USB 3 hubs and crowded 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
• Check permissions: on Android, Bluetooth and Location/Nearby devices; on iPhone, Bluetooth access for the app.
• Full-size printer won't print over Bluetooth at all? That's normal. It prints over Wi-Fi. See AirPrint not working or why your printer keeps going offline.

Should I buy a Bluetooth printer?

• Yes if you want to print photo stickers from your phone anywhere, print receipts or labels on the go, or you need a tiny printer for travel or a craft table.
• No if you print full pages. A standard Wi-Fi printer with Wi-Fi Direct is faster, prints bigger, and costs far less per page. Our PrinterIQ Finder can match you to one in about 60 seconds, or see our best wireless printers.

Running costs: pocket photo printers use special ZINK or dye-sub paper packs, so each small print costs more than a home inkjet print. Thermal printers use no ink at all, but thermal paper fades over time. For label printing, see our best label printers.

Common questions

Does my HP printer have Bluetooth?

Many newer HP models include Bluetooth Low Energy so the HP Smart app can set them up, but they print over Wi-Fi. HP Sprocket photo printers print over Bluetooth.

Can I print from a laptop over Bluetooth?

Only if the printer supports Bluetooth printing and your computer can pair with it. For regular printers, use Wi-Fi or USB instead. See adding a printer in Windows or on a Mac.

Do Bluetooth printers need Wi-Fi?

True Bluetooth printers don't. That's their main advantage for travel and job sites.

Is Bluetooth printing slower?

Yes. Bluetooth moves data much more slowly than Wi-Fi, which is fine for a small photo or label but not for multi-page documents.

Do Bluetooth mini printers use ink?

Most don't. Pocket photo printers use ZINK or dye-sublimation media, and thermal mini printers use heat-sensitive paper.

Related guides

• How to print from your phone
• How to find your printer's IP address
• How to set up a new printer
• Best printers for every use case
• Shop ink cartridges or find ink by printer model

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.