NFC Printing: Tap to Print From Your Phone

What is NFC and why does it matter for printing?

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that works over distances of a few centimeters. It is the same technology used for contactless payments and smart posters. In printing, NFC is used as a tap-to-connect method: you tap your phone against a designated area on the printer, and the phone and printer automatically exchange connection information. NFC itself does not carry the print file; it simply initiates a direct connection, typically via Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth, over which the actual print data is sent.

How tap-to-print works in practice

When you tap your phone to the printer, the NFC chip in each device communicates. The printer tells the phone which wireless networks or direct connections are available, and the phone then uses a printing protocol to send the job. This is where standards like IPP Everywhere and Mopria come in. According to the Printer Working Group, IPP Everywhere allows personal computers and mobile devices to find and print to networked and USB printers without using vendor-specific software. Mopria, an alliance of printer manufacturers, states that Mopria makes mobile printing easy, and its technology is built into Android and Windows. So after the tap, the phone uses one of these standards to complete the print job.

Here are the typical steps:

• Enable NFC on your phone if it is not already on.
• Make sure the printer is on and ready.
• Open the document or photo you want to print.
• Hold the phone near the printer's NFC touchpoint.
• Confirm the connection on either the phone or the printer screen.
• The print job is sent over Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or a shared network.

Which printers include NFC?

NFC is a feature on many recent printers, particularly all-in-one and portable models. The easiest way to know is to look for the NFC symbol or a dedicated touchpoint on the printer, often marked with a 'tap here' icon. You can also check the specifications: many manufacturers list NFC as a connectivity option. The IPP Everywhere standard is nearly universal, with the Printer Working Group reporting that 98% of all printers sold today support IPP/2.0 and DNS-SD. Even without a dedicated NFC touchpoint, your phone can often discover the printer over Wi-Fi. For true tap-to-print convenience, you need both the printer's NFC hardware and software that supports it.

If you are shopping for a new printer, our guide to the best wireless printers can help you find models that include NFC and other modern connectivity features. For a machine that also handles scanning and faxing, the best all-in-one printers list is a good starting point.

Which phones work with tap-to-print?

NFC is built into many smartphones, especially those running Android. The Mopria Alliance, which promotes mobile printing, lists Android, Windows, and Fire tablets as supported platforms. For iOS, printing is typically done through Apple's AirPrint, which does not use the same tap-to-print mechanism. You can still print from an iPhone using the manufacturer's app or a standard Wi-Fi connection, but you will not get the tap-to-pair experience. If you are an Android user, look for the Mopria logo on the printer box or in the printer's settings. Many printers that support Mopria also include an NFC touchpoint, so the combination is common.

For photo printing from your phone, you might prefer a dedicated photo printer that includes tap-to-print or a simple companion app. If you want a deeper look at how different devices connect, see our explanation of printer connectivity options.

Step by step: printing with a tap

Using NFC printing is straightforward. The exact steps depend on your printer model and phone, but the general flow is the same.

Key considerations include keeping the printer and phone close, ensuring both have NFC enabled, and using a printing app that recognizes tap-to-print. On Android, the built-in Mopria Print service is often sufficient. For other platforms, you may need to install a printer-specific app. Many printer manufacturers provide apps that support NFC as well.

• Enable NFC on your phone (Settings > Connections or similar).
• Wake the printer from sleep so its NFC antenna is active.
• Open the PDF, photo, or document you want to print.
• Tap the phone's NFC area against the printer's NFC marker.
• Wait for the prompt to appear, then confirm the print job.
• If no prompt appears, check if you need to install the Mopria app or the manufacturer's app.

NFC vs. Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, and QR codes

NFC is not the only way to start a wireless print job. Wi-Fi Direct creates a direct connection between phone and printer, but it requires you to select the printer in your phone's settings each time. Bluetooth is an option on some portable printers, but it is slower and has a shorter range. QR codes are used by some printer brands: you scan a code on the printer to initiate setup. NFC offers the fastest initiation: a single tap is all it takes. However, NFC requires you to be very close to the printer, so it works best when you are physically next to the machine.

For most users, a regular Wi-Fi connection is simpler if you print from multiple devices, because you can send jobs from anywhere on the network. If you often print from your phone and want the convenience of tapping, NFC is worth seeking out. For more on wireless options, see our connectivity guide.

Tips and troubleshooting for NFC printing

If the tap does not work, check that NFC is enabled on your phone and that the printer has an NFC antenna. Some printer models only have a small NFC area, so align the phone's NFC location (usually near the camera) with the touchpoint. You may need to install or update the printing app. Also, make sure the printer is not in deep sleep when you tap, as it may not respond until it wakes.

If you use an iPhone, remember that AirPrint does not use NFC; use the manufacturer's app instead. Finally, to save energy, look for printers with ENERGY STAR certification, which are designed to use less power in standby and to wake quickly from sleep. The ENERGY STAR program recommends keeping the factory default power management settings engaged for best efficiency. For high-volume printing, you may also want to check our laser printer guide for machines that combine fast output with energy-saving features.

What to pick for your use

Questions

What does NFC stand for?

Near Field Communication. It is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data when they are a few centimeters apart.

Does NFC printing work with an iPhone?

Not as a tap-to-print method. iPhones use AirPrint, which is a different wireless printing protocol. You can still print from an iPhone using the printer manufacturer's app or AirPrint, but you will not get the NFC tap experience. To find a printer that works well with both iOS and Android, see our wireless printer guide.

Do I need to install an app to use NFC printing?

On Android, Mopria Print is often built into the operating system, so no extra app is needed. On other platforms, you may need to download the printer manufacturer's app or a third-party printing app that supports NFC.

Is NFC printing secure?

NFC only initiates the connection. Once the devices pair, the actual print data is sent over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth using the same encryption and security measures as any other wireless printing session. As long as your network is protected, tap-to-print is as secure as other methods.

Can I print with NFC if my printer is not on my Wi-Fi network?

Yes. Many printers with NFC also support Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a temporary direct connection between the phone and printer without a router. Some models use Bluetooth for the initial handshake, so a separate network is not required.

How do I find the NFC touchpoint on my printer?

Look for the NFC logo or a 'tap here' symbol on the printer's control panel, front bezel, or near the paper output. Check the printer's manual or the manufacturer's online specifications for the exact location. If you cannot find it, consult the printer's built-in help menu or search the support page for 'NFC touchpoint.'