Use AirPrint on macOS 13 Without Installing Drivers

You can use an AirPrint-compatible printer on macOS 13 (Ventura) without downloading or installing any additional drivers. Apple builds native AirPrint support directly into the operating system, allowing your Mac to automatically discover, configure, and communicate with compatible printers over a local network. This driverless setup eliminates the need for third-party manufacturer software and utility bloatware.

How AirPrint Works on macOS 13

AirPrint is a native Apple technology designed for zero-configuration networking. Instead of requiring a model-specific driver to translate print jobs into instructions the hardware understands, macOS and the AirPrint device use a standardized, universal printing language.

As long as the printer is certified for AirPrint and connected to the same local Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as your Mac, macOS 13 will detect it instantly.

How to Add an AirPrint Printer on macOS 13

Setting up an AirPrint printer on macOS 13 takes less than a minute through the redesigned System Settings interface:

  1. Connect the Printer to the Network: Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to your local Wi-Fi network or router via Ethernet.
  2. Open Settings: On your Mac, click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Settings.
  3. Navigate to Printers: Scroll down the left sidebar and click Printers & Scanners.
  4. Add Device: Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax... button on the right.
  5. Select Your Printer: Wait a moment for macOS to discover local devices via Bonjour. Select your printer from the list.
  6. Verify the Protocol: Look at the Use field at the bottom. By default, macOS 13 will automatically select AirPrint or Secure AirPrint.
  7. Complete Setup: Click Add.

The printer is now ready for use across all applications with no further setup.

Requirements for Driverless Printing

To ensure driverless printing functions properly on macOS 13:

  • Same Local Subnet: Both your Mac and the printer must be on the same local network. If your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, make sure client isolation is disabled so the devices can see each other.
  • AirPrint Compatibility: The printer model must explicitly support Apple AirPrint. Most wireless printers manufactured in the last decade include this feature by default.
  • Firmware Updates: Ensure the printer’s internal firmware is kept up to date via its built-in web management interface or control panel to maintain compatibility with modern network security standards.

Benefits of Driverless AirPrint

Using the native AirPrint connection instead of vendor-supplied drivers offers multiple advantages:

  • No Background Bloat: It prevents printer brands from running persistent background updater services, telemetry tools, or unnecessary utility monitors on your Mac.
  • Instant Compatibility: It avoids driver obsolescence issues when upgrading macOS in the future.
  • Full Basic Functionality: It supports standard printing options, including color management, duplex (two-sided) printing, paper tray selection, and multi-page layouts directly from the standard macOS print dialog.