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Canon PIXMA MX478 driver for Mac

Yes, the Canon PIXMA MX478 works on Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 27, macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 15 Sequoia. Install this free, signed, native arm64 driver package and print again. No Rosetta, no Intel-only software from the printer maker, and no need to write or compile a driver yourself.

✅ Canon PIXMA MX478 is supported. Driver: Gutenprint 5.3.5. Model id: bjc-PIXMA-MX478

Install the Canon PIXMA MX478 driver

  1. Plug the printer into the Mac with a USB cable and switch it on.
  2. Download the installer (.pkg) and open it. Click through, enter your Mac password. It is signed and notarized by Apple, so there are no security warnings.
  3. Print something. The installer recognised the printer and set it up as the default.

Still not printing? Restart the Mac once and unplug / re-plug the printer. Then see below.

Wi-Fi, network, or not detected over USB

After installing, open Terminal (⌘+Space, type Terminal), paste this and press Enter:

sudo gutenprint-add bjc-PIXMA-MX478

For a network printer, add a name and the printer's address (lpinfo -v lists what macOS can see):

sudo gutenprint-add bjc-PIXMA-MX478 MyPrinter socket://192.168.1.50

Or without Terminal: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add → Use: Select Software… and pick “Canon PIXMA MX478” ending in “Apple Silicon”.

Why did my Canon PIXMA MX478 stop working?

Canon's own Mac driver for this printer was built for Intel Macs only. On Apple Silicon it ran through Rosetta until macOS 27, which no longer allows that, so System Settings now says “The printer software is not compatible with this device”. This package replaces it with Gutenprint 5.3.5, compiled natively for Apple Silicon.

Had Canon's own driver installed? It leaves a small kernel extension behind that blocks macOS's USB printer driver. The installer moves it aside (to /Users/Shared/printer-driver-backup, nothing is deleted); restart the Mac once afterwards, then unplug and re-plug the printer.

Print quality and black & white: in the print dialog open Printer Features (Printer Options on macOS 27). Quality is under Resolution; for black & white set Color Model to Grayscale. Ink and toner levels can't be shown by open source drivers.

Questions

Does the Canon PIXMA MX478 work on macOS 27, macOS 26 Tahoe and Apple Silicon?

Yes. This free package adds a native arm64 Gutenprint driver for the Canon PIXMA MX478. It runs on every Apple Silicon Mac with macOS 12 or later, including macOS 27, without Rosetta.

Do I need to write my own Canon PIXMA MX478 driver?

No. The Canon PIXMA MX478 is already supported by Gutenprint, an open source driver with years of tuning for this printer. Install the package; there is nothing to write, compile or patch.

Why does my Canon PIXMA MX478 say “The printer software is not compatible with this device”?

Canon's Mac driver for the Canon PIXMA MX478 is Intel-only and ran through Rosetta, which macOS 27 no longer allows. Install this package, restart the Mac once, then unplug and re-plug the printer.

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