The fastest way: use AirPrint if your printer supports it

Most modern printers work with iPad through AirPrint, Apple's wireless printing system. If your printer is less than five years old and cost more than $100, it almost certainly has AirPrint built in. To check: look in your printer's manual or visit the manufacturer's website and search your exact model number plus "AirPrint".

If your printer supports AirPrint, you do not need to install anything. Your iPad finds the printer automatically over your home WiFi network. Open any document, photo, or web page, tap the Share button (the arrow pointing out of a box), scroll down and tap Print, then select your printer from the list. That is the entire process.

The one requirement: your iPad and printer must be on the same WiFi network. If you are printing from a guest network or a different network than your printer, it will not work. Switch your iPad to the same network your printer uses, then try again.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPrint is built into most printers made in the last five years and requires no setup beyond connecting both devices to the same WiFi network.
  • If your printer does not support AirPrint, you can install the manufacturer's app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint) to print wirelessly.
  • Older printers without AirPrint or a manufacturer app can still print if you connect your iPad to the printer with a USB adapter, though this is rarely necessary.
  • The most common printing problem is that your iPad and printer are on different WiFi networks — switching to the same network usually fixes it.

How to print with your printer's manufacturer app

If your printer does not support AirPrint, download the app made by your printer's manufacturer. HP printers use HP Smart, Canon uses Canon PRINT, Epson uses Epson iPrint, Brother uses Brother iPrint&Scan, and Xerox uses Xerox Print Service. Search your printer brand name plus "print app" in the App Store if you are unsure which one to download.

Install the app, open it, and it will search for printers on your WiFi network. Select your printer from the list. Once connected, you can print from that app or from other apps by using the Share button and selecting the manufacturer's app instead of the standard Print option.

These apps sometimes require you to create an account with the manufacturer, though many let you skip this step. If the app asks for an account and you do not want to create one, look for a "Skip" or "Continue as Guest" button. You do not need an account to print on your home network.

Connecting an older printer without wireless

If your printer has no WiFi and no manufacturer app, you can still print using a USB-to-iPad adapter. iPad does not have a standard USB port, so you need an adapter that matches your iPad's charging port. Newer iPads use USB-C, while older models use the Lightning connector.

Buy a USB adapter for your iPad's port type (search "USB adapter for iPad" and your model year), connect your printer to the adapter with a USB cable, then plug the adapter into your iPad. Open the document you want to print, tap Share, then Print. Your printer should appear in the list.

This method works but is inconvenient because you have to physically connect the devices each time. If you print regularly, upgrading to a printer with AirPrint or WiFi is worth the cost.

Troubleshooting when your printer does not appear

If you tap Print and your printer is not in the list, the problem is almost always that your iPad and printer are on different WiFi networks. Check your iPad's WiFi settings by swiping down from the top right corner and tapping the WiFi icon. Note which network it is connected to. Then check your printer's display or settings menu to see which network it is on. If they do not match, connect your iPad to the printer's network.

If both devices are on the same network and the printer still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off your iPad completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your printer. Then try printing again. This fixes the problem about half the time.

If restarting does not work, check that your printer is actually powered on and not in sleep mode. Some printers go to sleep after 15 minutes of no use. Press a button on the printer or print a test page from the printer's own menu to wake it up, then try printing from your iPad again.

Printing photos and documents from different apps

The printing process is the same no matter what app you are using. Open the photo, document, or web page, tap the Share button (usually a square with an arrow), scroll down to find Print, tap it, select your printer, choose how many copies you want, then tap Print in the top right corner.

Some apps hide the Print option in a different menu. If you do not see Share, look for a menu button (three dots or three lines) in the app's top corner. Tap it and look for Print, Send, or Export options. If you still cannot find it, the app may not support printing — in that case, take a screenshot instead and print the screenshot from the Photos app.

Printing from web pages and email

To print a web page in Safari, tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen, scroll down, and tap Print. Select your printer and tap Print. The entire page will print, not just what is visible on your screen.

To print an email in the Mail app, open the email, tap Reply (the arrow), then scroll down past the reply box and tap Print. Select your printer and tap Print. If you want to print an attachment instead of the email itself, tap and hold the attachment, then tap Print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything to use AirPrint?

No. AirPrint is built into iPad and most modern printers. You do not need to download an app or driver. Just make sure both devices are on the same WiFi network, then use the Print option in any app.

Can I print from my iPad to a printer at work or a public place?

Only if your iPad is on the same WiFi network as the printer. If the printer is on a locked network or a different network than your iPad, you cannot print to it wirelessly. You would need to use a USB adapter or ask someone with access to move the printer to a network your iPad can reach.

Why does my printer appear sometimes but not other times?

Your printer probably goes into sleep mode after a period of no use. When it sleeps, your iPad cannot see it. Press any button on the printer to wake it up, wait a few seconds, then try printing again. Check your printer's settings to see if you can disable sleep mode or increase the time before it activates.

Can I print wirelessly if I do not have WiFi at home?

No, not with AirPrint or most manufacturer apps. These require both devices to be on the same WiFi network. If you do not have WiFi, you can only print using a USB adapter. Some newer printers have a mobile hotspot feature that creates its own network, but this is rare.

What if my printer is very old and has no WiFi or app?

You can print using a USB-to-iPad adapter, which connects your printer to your iPad with a cable. This works but requires you to plug in each time you print. If you print often, it may be worth replacing the printer with one that has AirPrint or WiFi built in.