Canon Printer Setup on Mac — Complete 2026 Guide for US and Canada Users

Setting up a Canon Pixma printer on a Mac is a different process from Windows in ways that matter practically. MacOS does not use Canon's traditional driver installer the same way Windows does, the scanning setup works through different software, and system updates break printer connections through mechanisms specific to macOS that Windows users never encounter. This guide covers the complete Canon Pixma setup process on Mac from initial connection through post-install verification — written for US and Canada users on macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and Sequoia.

PrinterSolved provides the complete Canon printer setup process for both Windows and Mac users in the United States and Canada at IJ.Start Canon Connect Guide — including the Mac-specific steps that Canon's own documentation handles inconsistently across different Pixma models.

How macOS Handles Canon Printer Drivers

MacOS handles printer drivers fundamentally differently from Windows. When you add a Canon printer through System Settings on a Mac, the operating system downloads a lightweight driver component called an AirPrint driver automatically from Apple's servers. This component handles basic printing without you visiting Canon's website or downloading anything manually. The consequence is that basic printing works easily on Mac, but Canon's full software suite — including IJ Scan Utility, the maintenance tool, and ink level monitoring — requires a separate download from Canon's support site specifically for your printer model.

This distinction causes a specific frustration for Mac users: the printer prints correctly but scanning does not work, and the Canon utility does not appear in Applications. The AirPrint installation deliberately excludes these components. Downloading the full driver package from Canon's support page for your specific Pixma model resolves this immediately.

Adding the Canon Printer Through System Settings

Connect your Canon printer to WiFi through the printer's control panel before touching your Mac. Go to Settings on the printer then LAN Settings then Wireless LAN Setup then Standard Setup. Select your network, enter your password, and wait for the solid WiFi indicator light before proceeding.

On your Mac open System Settings, click Printers and Scanners in the left panel, and click the plus button at the bottom of the printer list. Your Canon Pixma should appear in the discovered devices list within 30 seconds if both the printer and Mac are on the same 2.4 gigahertz WiFi network. Select it and click Add. macOS downloads the AirPrint driver automatically and the Canon appears as ready within one minute.

Print a test page immediately after adding. Open any document in TextEdit or Preview, press Command plus P, select your Canon from the printer dropdown, and print one page. If the page prints the basic installation is confirmed.

Installing the Full Driver Package for Scan and Maintenance Functions

Open Safari and search for Canon support downloads. Enter your exact Pixma model number, select Mac as your operating system, and download the full driver and software package — not the basic driver. The file name typically includes the words "Driver and Application" or "Full Software Package." Run the installer after downloading.

After installation open Launchpad and confirm Canon IJ Scan Utility and Canon IJ Network Tool appear as applications. Open IJ Scan Utility and confirm your printer model is shown as the active scanner. If it is not, run Canon IJ Network Tool to reconnect the software to the printer's current network address.

Mac-Specific Issues That Appear After macOS Updates

Major macOS updates — both annual releases and significant point updates — frequently break Canon printer connections in two specific ways. The first is the printer disappearing from System Settings after an update. The fix is removing the Canon from Printers and Scanners by clicking the minus button and re-adding it using the plus button. macOS re-downloads the driver components automatically and the connection restores in under two minutes.

The second issue is scanning stopping after an update while printing continues to work. This happens because macOS occasionally resets extension permissions during major updates. Go to System Settings then Privacy and Security and look for a notification about blocked software from Canon. Click Allow to restore the scan driver extension. If no notification appears, uninstall and reinstall the full driver package from Canon's support site.

Scanning on Mac Without IJ Scan Utility

macOS includes a built-in application called Image Capture in your Applications folder that handles wireless scanning from Canon printers natively. Open Image Capture, find your Canon in the left panel under Devices or Shared, and click Scan. This works on all AirPrint-compatible Canon Pixma models without requiring IJ Scan Utility to be installed or running. For Mac users who want a simple scanning solution without Canon's software suite, Image Capture is the most reliable option.

For the complete https//ij.start.canon printer setup guide covering both Windows and Mac installation, WiFi configuration, and post-install verification for all current Canon Pixma models in the United States and Canada, the full step-by-step process is available at PrinterSolved.

Canon Pixma models covered in this guide include the TS3522, TS3520, TR4520, TR4722, TR8620, MG3620, MG2522, G3410, G3411, G3420, E470, and all current Canon Pixma inkjet models sold in the United States and Canada.