Tablets have completely changed personal computing, but there’s still a non-zero number of people out there who forget what iPads can do. For one thing, you can print from them! If you’re wondering how to print from an iPad, as with everything Apple it’s surprisingly easy.
From the early days of iPad, Apple has put a lot of thought and effort into iPad printing, and connecting your iPad to a nearby printer is super simple. In this article, we’re going to run through iPad print capabilities, including AirPrint, as well as some common security and troubleshooting issues. If you’re looking to print a document from your iPad, consider this your ultimate guide.
How to print a document from an iPad
Provided you’ve got a printer that supports AirPrint, Apple’s proprietary software that lets you hook up your iPad to a friendly printer (without the need to download annoying drivers) the process is easy:
1. Connect your iPad to the same network as the printer.
2. Open the document using Files, Safari, Notes etc.
3. Tap the ‘Share’ icon, then ‘Print’.
4. Pick your printer. If your MFD is AirPrint compatible, it should show up automatically.
5. Adjust your print settings, if you need to.
6. Tap ‘Print’ in the upper right-hand corner.
That’s it! Pretty simple right?
But wait, what is AirPrint?
AirPrint is a built-in Apple technology that allows you to print wirelessly from your iPhone, iPad or MacBook without installing drivers or additional software. Most modern multi-function printers have AirPrint compatibility, and it works with any iOS device. All you need is a device and printer on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPrint will handle the rest.
How to configure an AirPrint-enabled printer
Setting up your AirPrint printer is pretty straightforward, as you’re learning to expect from Apple. First, to check if your device is compatible, head over to Apple’s AirPrint guide – they’ve got a list of supported printer models.
Now you’ve got two options: you can either set up your printer through the control panel or use WPS.
Using the printer’s control panel.
Turn on the printer and go to Wi-Fi or Network Settings (menu names sometimes vary).
- Select Wi-Fi Setup > Choose Wireless Setup Wizard.
- Pick your Wi-Fi network and enter the Wi-Fi password (if required).
- The printer will connect to the Wi-Fi network. And you’re done!
Using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
- Press the WPS button on your router.
- Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your printer.
- The printer will automatically connect to the network. Done.
How to print from an iPad with a non-AirPrint printer
Of course, not every MFD will support AirPrint, and sometimes you’ll need to do some workarounds to print from your iPad. This isn’t a dealbreaker, and it doesn’t require any fancy coding skills. It just takes a few more steps. Let’s look at your options.
PaperCut Mobility Print. For printers that don’t support AirPrint, you can use a BYOD print software go-between, like PaperCut’s Mobility Print . These apps basically discover and set up printers on their own, regardless of operating systems or the brand of printer. No driver installation necessary. In that way, Mobility Print acts just like AirPrint. All you need to do is install the app and set up the Mobility Print Server .
Printer apps. Most modern printers come with their own ** ** iOS apps these days, allowing that particular printer model to quickly connect to your iPad. ** ** Brands like HP, Brother, and Lexmark have standalone apps that let you print directly from your iPad or iPhone. Neat, huh? For more info, and setup instructions, check your manufacturer’s website for iOS print solutions.
Email to print. If you haven’t heard of Email to Print, it basically lets you email a document to the printer. Every printer has a unique email address, so by emailing the document to the printer, you bypass the need for drivers and apps. Once the printer has received your job, it will either print automatically, or you may need to authenticate your ID at the control panel.
How to print via email:
- Find your printer’s email address (check printer settings or manufacturer’s website).
- Open Mail on your iPad and compose a new email.
- Attach the document/photo you want to print.
- Send the email to your printer’s email address.
- The printer will receive the email and automatically print it.
How to configure network settings for iPad printing
For AirPrint (or any wireless printing methods) to work properly, both the iPad your printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and subnet. That’s kind of how the technology works. For some networks, this may already be configured. All you’ll need to do is connect your iPad to Wi-Fi and follow the steps above.
If you’re setting up a network for the first time, however, you’ll need to configure your network settings. Here’s how you do it:
Steps to Configure Wi-Fi:
1. Use a Single SSID (Wi-Fi Network Name)
- Ensure that both the iPad and printer connect to the same SSID.
- If your network has multiple SSIDs (like Guest and Corporate Wi-Fi, for example) make sure they’re connected to the same VLAN or subnet (we’ll explain this one in more detail below).
2. Use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Networks Carefully
- Many printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
- If your iPad is connected to 5 GHz and your printer is on 2.4 GHz, they may not communicate properly. This is a bummer.
- Solution: Use a dual-band router with the same SSID for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz or connect both devices to 2.4 GHz.
3. Assign a Static IP to the Printer
- Dynamic IP addresses (DHCP) can change over time, making it harder for devices to find the printer.
- Set a static IP for the printer in your router’s DHCP settings or the printer’s network menu.
Ensuring iPad & printer are on the same subnet
A subnet is just a logical division of a network. For AirPrint to work, both the iPad and the printer must be in the same subnet.
How to check the subnet on an iPad:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap the connected network (i.e. your Wi-Fi network)
- Note the IP address and Subnet Mask.
How to check the subnet on a printer:
- Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s settings.
- Check the IP Address and Subnet Mask.
- Make sure it matches the subnet of your iPad.
If the printer is on a different VLAN or Guest Wi-Fi, it might be isolated from the main network. To fix this, move the printer and iPad to the same VLA
How to ensure printer security and user authentication
As with any kind of network printing, BYOD print security is no joke. It doesn’t matter whether you’re printing from an iPad or a computer, you need to follow all the usual print security measures : user authentication, multi-factor authentication, secure print release and end-to-end encryption, both in transit and at rest. We’ve written about print security before ( extensively ) so make sure you read up before building your own BYOD print network. For secure printing across a BYOD landscape, check out this article .
Managing jobs and monitoring usage
Enabling easy iPad printing is great, but the end result tends to be a lot of iPad printing (go figure). For small organisations, this isn’t usually a problem. But for SMEs and above, you really need to invest in some good print management and monitoring tools to keep your print activity (and budgets) under control. With good print management software, you can set up print quotas for individual users and easily monitor activity to prevent unauthorised iPad printing.
Troubleshooting common iPad printing issues
There are three common problems when it comes to printing from an iPad: either your device can’t find the printer, the iPad prints slowly (or only prints part of the document), or your iPad shows the “No AirPrint Printers Found” error. Let’s tackle them one by one:
iPad can’t find printer
This is by far the most common issue, and it’s usually pretty easy to solve. First, check both your device and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and that the network working correctly. Print a network status page (check your printer manual). Make sure it shows a valid IP address in the same range as the iPad. Next, restart everything, including your router. When you’re back online, go to the printer’s web interface (type its IP address into a browser). Look for AirPrint settings and make sure it’s enabled.
iPad prints slowly or incompletely
This is usually caused by a weak Wi-Fi signal, or when the print job is too large for the network. Try moving your device closer to the WI-FI router. If your router supports dual-band WI-FI , try switching the iPad to 2.4 GHz (it’s got better range). Restart the router and the printer to clear any network congestion. Finally, try reducing the print job’s size by lowering the image resolution or switching to black and white.
iPad shows “No AirPrint Printers Found” error
This usually means AirPrint is either disabled or not supported on your machine. It could also be that a Firewall or security system is blocking your AirPrint access. Make sure your printer is on Apple’s AirPrint-compatible list, turn off any VPNs you’re using, and restart your network services. If all that fails, try a different print method, like Email to Print (see above).
Training users on iPad print protocols
We always say that a print environment is only as good as its users. In other words, you can have the best BYOD printing setup known to man, but if users are afraid of it, or don’t know how to use it safely, it’s basically useless. We recommend developing some BYOD print guidelines and training materials to educate staff on the correct procedures for printing from iPads. It’ll pay dividends in the long run. Trust us.
