How to Add Printer to iPad

We live in a digital electronic world, so printing a document, email, or photograph from your iPad is inevitable. There is always a way to transfer your file to a laptop and print it. However, printing it from the iPad is considerably more convenient.

Table Of Contents

0.1 Key Takeaways

1 Understanding the Requirements
2 Setting up a Printer with the Apple AirPrint Technology
3 Setting up a Printer With Third-Party Apps
- 3.1 Steps to Set up a Printer Using Third-Party Apps
- 3.2 Recommendations for Popular Third-Party Printing Apps
4 Alternative Printing Solutions
5 How to Add Printer to iPad: FAQs
6 Conclusion

Key Takeaways

The AirPrint feature built into iOS devices is the most convenient method to print from an iPad, provided that the printer is AirPrint-compatible.
AirPrint printers have no configuration or setup requirements.
To print from an iPad, you must connect with the same Wi-Fi connection, access the share menu, and choose the printer from the AirPrint Printer list.
You can set up a printer using alternative printing solutions like print server utilities, cloud printing, and email printing.

This article will cover what printers you need for iPad printing and how you set up a printer with the Apple AirPrint technology. We‘ll also cover how to set up a printer with third-party apps. Read on.

Understanding the Requirements

Below are some printers for iPad printing:

HP

The Photosmart series, the Envy, the LaserJet, and the OfficeJet are all HP printers compatible with AirPrint and created for specific applications. LaserJet printers are ideal for office use. Inkjet printers are perfect for home use. The Envy or Photosmart series of printers are good options if you want to print photos from your iPad. The e-Printing feature makes it possible to print wirelessly from an iOS device by simply sending emails to the printer.

Canon

AirPrint is compatible with most Pixma inkjet printers. Among these are various types of printers, such as multifunction photo and office printers. These printers don’t support AirPrint by default. Instead, you can activate it by installing your printer’s most recent firmware update. The update will allow for wireless printing from an iPad to the printer.

Epson

WorkForce, Stylus, WorkForce Pro, and Artisan are among the Epson printer series compatible with AirPrint. These multifunction printers allow you to print, copy, scan, and fax—all from the convenience of your iPad. You may also wirelessly use these printers to ensure compatibility with the latest version of AirPrint.

Lexmark

The Lexmark brand provides countless choices for AirPrint-compatible printers, each of which you can use for a specific task. Small, medium, and large workgroups in the business world can find the right printer to meet their needs. Photo printers are available for home users and professional photographers. You may upgrade the firmware on your printer to work with Apple’s newest version of AirPrint.

Setting up a Printer with the Apple AirPrint Technology

AirPrint is a valuable software tool developed by Apple for connecting iPads to printers. Therefore, you can avoid the inconvenience of moving files from iOS devices to a computer before printing them.

What is Apple AirPrint?

Apple’s AirPrint technology allows the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch to print wirelessly. The software is incorporated into iOS devices, making it the most popular and powerful option to connect the printer to iPad. You can print high-quality images and documents directly from your iOS device, Mac, or PC using Apple’s AirPrint technology.

If you have a printer that supports AirPrint and can connect to your network, printing wirelessly from your iPad is a breeze. Let’s look at how to use AirPrint to connect a printer to an iPad.

Steps to Set up a Printer With Apple AirPrint

Here are the steps for setting up an iPad printer with AirPrint:

Step 1: Verify that you have installed the most recent version of iPad OS. Go to Settings >> General >> Software Update on your iPad to see what version of iOS you’re using. Install any available updates to the software.

Steps to Set up a Printer With Apple AirPrint — *Image by* Applesupport

Step 2: Ensure that your printer supports AirPrint before connecting a printer to your iPad.

Step 3: You must be on the same WiFi connection before adding it to your iPad. If the iPad and printer aren’t on the same network, the iPad won’t be able to print to it.

Step 4: Wait a few moments after powering your printer before printing from an iPad or iPhone. It may take the printer a minute or two to join your network.

Step 5: Go to the file or item you wish to print from the iPad’s printer after connecting it properly.

Step 6: Select the item or document you need to print from your iPad after you connect it to your printer.

Step 7: Launch the application you would like to print from.

Step 8: Click the app’s Share Button or Actions Button to access the printing option.

Step 9: Scroll down and select the Print or Print button. Check the User Guide if you cannot locate the print option. All apps don’t support AirPrint.

Step 10: Select No Printer Selected, then select an AirPrint-compatible printer.

Step 11: Determine how many copies you need to print.

Step 12: Select Print in the top right corner.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Users occasionally report problems with not being able to print using AirPrint. You must follow fundamental troubleshooting tips, such as rebooting your Wi-Fi network, restarting your printer, and updating its firmware. Here are some other considerations to keep in mind:

Ensure that your iPad and printer are operating the latest software versions.
Check for interference by moving the printer close to your router.
Ensure the Wi-Fi connection is enabled, and the printer is ready to print.
Your iPad or iPhone should not be in AirPlane mode.
Connect all devices to the same network.
Turn off your printer and iPad. Wait 10 seconds, then turn them back on.

You can reset the printing system if you have exhausted all potential solutions and can still not print. This operation will remove every printer from the list of available printers, wipe out all traces of recently printed documents, and clear out any custom settings you may have established for that printer.

Setting up a Printer With Third-Party Apps

Third-party apps are another option for printing from an iOS device, like Printopia and Printer Pro by Readdle. Here is how you can print from your iOS devices using Printopia.

If you do not have AirPrint, you can still take advantage of the features offered by many of these apps. Your printer might also have its email address, which is a convenient extra feature. Typically, you can configure this procedure during product registration or, in some instances, automatically.

Several third-party applications can trick your iOS device into thinking that the printer is AirPrint-compatible when it is not. Using a third-party app to connect a printer to an iPad means that communications between the iPad and printer occur via the client software installed on the user’s computer rather than directly between the iPad and printer.

You may send print tasks from your wireless device straight to a shared printer on your network using this third-party app.

Steps to Set up a Printer Using Third-Party Apps

Here are the steps to set up a printer using third-party apps:

Step 1: Open a file in the app by selecting a category from the left column. Among the options are Contacts, Emails, Files, Web Pages, and images. You can click the printer button in the screen’s upper right corner.

Step 2: Select a printer sharing the iPad’s network from the available options.

Step 3: To connect the app to a printer for the first time, pick Printer Setup from the menu bar. It’s only necessary to do this once.

Step 4: Select Printer Options on the print screen to customize the paper size, the number of copies, and other standard printing settings. To get a draft of the document printed, tap the Preview button.

Step 5: Select Print from the Print or Preview screen.

Recommendations for Popular Third-Party Printing Apps

Multiple third-party printing applications are built for different networked or shared printers. One application you can find particularly useful is “PrintCentral.” The iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch software “PrintCentral” is top-notch in its ability to print and share files. WePrint is open client software that you can download and install on your Mac or PC to extend the functionality of PrintCentral to all printers you have connected to your machine wirelessly, either via Bluetooth or USB. Access any content on your iOS device with its built-in file browser and email reader. iPad users can also get Print n Share, Printer Pro, and PrintCentral Pro.

Alternative Printing Solutions

Using AirPrint is the simplest way of printing from your iPad. However, it is not the only one. Below are the alternative printing solutions:

Print Server Utilities

If your printer isn’t AirPrint-compatible, you can get a tool to make it so. You can install these programs on a network computer to operate as print servers. Printopia, for example, requires software installation on a Mac. Presto works with Google Cloud Print, PC, and Mac operating systems.

Cloud Printing

You can use a cloud printing service, like Google Cloud Print or Cortado’s ThinPrint Cloud Printer, to print a file from your iPad. The cloud service will convert the file into a printable format and deliver it to the printer of your choice. Cloud printing allows printing from anywhere. You may print to it from various platforms, including laptops, PCs, and mobile devices running various operating systems.

Email Printing

Three of the most popular printer manufacturers currently provide an innovative email-based printing service. Canon offers a print-from-email functionality, HP offers ePrint, and Epson offers Email Print through Epson Connect. Your printer will get a unique email address if you sign up for these services. Any files sent to that email address are printed out instantly.

Printing Through a Laptop or Desktop

Here is how you can print via a desktop or laptop:

A USB cable can connect a printer to a laptop or desktop computer.
Go to “Settings” on your PC.
Select Bluetooth and Devices.
Choose your scanners and printers.
Select your printer from the list, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Add Printer to iPad: FAQs

Q: How Do I Get My iPad to Recognize My Printer?

A: iOS devices don’t let you set up your printer using the system’s Settings menu or comparable menus. However, other operating systems will. Turn on the printer and launch a regular app like Mail on your iPad. You can print by tapping the “Share” button and then “Print.” Choose the wireless printer from the list that supports AirPrint by tapping the “Select Printer” button. Ready for printing. The Share icon is present in the majority of iPad applications.

Q: How Do I Connect Wireless Printer to iPad?

A: You can connect your printer to your iPad using the Apple AirPrint. AirPrint makes it simple to print from an iPad over a wireless network. iOS displays a button on the iPad as a square box with an arrow poking out of it.

Any iOS app that supports printing will have this share button. If the printer is AirPrint-compatible and on the same wireless network as your iPad, tapping this button will send the print task to the printer. However, the approach will vary slightly from app to app.

Printing from an iPad is a fantastic way to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. You can still print from your iPad if your printer isn’t AirPrint-compatible. The most typical way for this to work is via a manufacturer’s application.

iPad users can only print from Wi-Fi-enabled printers due to the lack of USB ports. However, there are no Apple printers available, but several manufacturers make wirelessly enabled printers compatible with Apple devices.

Q: How Do I Add a Printer to My iPad Without an Airprint?

A: You can print from your iPad, even if the printer is not AirPrint-compatible. Typically, you can achieve this via a manufacturer-specific app. Learn how to use a third-party application to print from your iPhone without AirPrint:

Download a third-party printing app from your device’s app store and install it
You have to launch the app and connect as instructed by the manual
Establish a wireless network connection (your iPad and printer must be on the same network)
Choose the printer, then add it to your iPhone or iPad
Select the copies you want to print

Select the copies you want to print — *Image by* Applesupport

Start printing

Q: Why Can’t I Print From My iPad to My Wireless Printer?

A: You may be unable to print from your iPad to your wireless printer because of network connection issues and AirPrint not being enabled on printer settings. You will have to refresh the wifi connection on your iPad to enable printing from the iPad to a wireless printer. Also, you must enable AirPrint on the printer settings.

Q: Where Are Printer Settings on iPad?

A: You can print files from your iPad without installing additional software and print drivers, as iPads manage supported printers using AirPrint. The iPad does not come with a configuration to set up printing. You can adjust the print settings you prefer whenever you print a file.

Q: How to Print From iPad to HP Printer?

A: You can print from your iPad to a wireless HP printer after powering it and connecting it to a wireless network. Ensure your printer and iPad are connected to the same wireless network. You can open the file you want to print and then click the share icon. Tap on the print icon. Click on the select printer, then change any desired print settings, then print.

Q: Can I Add a Printer to iPad Pro?

A: You can add a printer to your iPad Pro by tapping the ‘Share’ icon and then ‘Print.’ Continue by clicking on the ‘Select Printer’ icon, then click on the AirPrint-enabled wireless printer. The printer is ready to print.

Q: Can I Connect iPad to Printer With USB Cable?

A: You can connect an iPad to the printer using an OTG (on-the-go) USB cord. However, your iPad must support the USB cord.

Conclusion

Adding an iOS device to a printer on a wireless network is easy if you have the right information. AirPrint is your first line of defense, but even without it, third-party apps will come to your rescue when you want to print from your iPad.

Moreover, there are alternative printing options if your Apple devices are incompatible with printers, including cloud printing, emailing a document to the printer, and printing through a laptop or desktop. Visit the Apple support website to get further help on how to add print to your iPad.