Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t print from your iPhone or iPad. If you have a printer with Wi-Fi, it’s likely to be a breeze to print photos, emails, documents or Safari pages from an iPhone or iPad.
A breeze, that is, if your printer supports AirPrint, which is Apple’s printing standard. But don’t worry if you don’t, as there are more options for printing from the iPhone or iPad.
How to print from an iPad or iPhone with AirPrint
To use AirPrint, you will need an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. You will also need an AirPrint-enabled printer, which you can find a list here. All major printer manufacturers have AirPrint printers and, if you have a recent wireless printer, it’s likely to be AirPrint enabled.
Printing from your iPhone or iPad is very simple. Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi.
Now choose what you want to print in Mail, Safari, Notes, Photos or other apps that have the share icon. This can be a square with an arrow pointing out of it or just a curved arrow. Sometimes you have to tap three points to see the extra options that include the sharing icon.
When you see the sharing screen, Print should be in the bottom line (which is scrollable).
Tap Print and you will now see Printer Options along with a preview of what will be printed. The first time you print you will have to hit a selected printer. Your iPhone or iPad will search for a local AirPrint printer.
Select the one you want to use (probably the only printer shown in the list, but watch out for your neighbors’ printers if they are close!), Choose the number of copies and press Print. It’s that simple.
How to print from an iPad or iPhone if you do not have an AirPrint printer
There are some third-party apps that will help you if you don’t have an AirPrint printer. PrintCentral is one that is recommended.
They all work in a similar way. There will be a browser that will allow you to view the files on your iPhone or iPad. You install client software on the PC to physically connect the printer to the iPhone/iPad so they can see each other and from there you can press print. It’s not an idea, but it’s still a solution.
Finally, an easier way to connect the printer to the iPhone or iPad is through dedicated apps from printer manufacturers such as HP ePrint, Xerox Print Portal and Epson iPrint. These work much more like AirPrint, the app speaks to the printer and on. Take a look at your app store to see if your printer manufacturer has an app that works with your printer.
