Printing from an iPad without a WiFi Connection?

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I too had this situation, after many searches without results of an easy(ier) solution, did I come up with this. Hope this helps.

As long as the printer has "wifi" connectivity this works like a champ. The printer obviously needs AirPrint for iDevices but this makes your printer available to all devices without wires and internet. (There are likely apps supporting devices that were not manufactured with AirPrint capabilities.)

Pick up an old "B/G/N" Wifi router, things change rapidly but, as of this writing are, likely laying around because people upgraded to the "AC" standard. Or - These outdated devices can purchased for ~ $39 new. Some of the on-line places did I notice have a few for less.

WiFi routers do not need to be connected to the internet and in this case will only be used for printing. In this scenario, the Wifi router, can be thought of as a portable print-server.

1) Reset any configurations in the router if you're using an old device (all have 'reset' buttons)

2) * Configure the router with a SSID i.e. "PRINT2ME" - connect the printer to that SSID

3) Your iDevice should see the SSID broadcasting, have it connect to that same pseudo network

(* Inside the iDevices 'settings/Wifi' - select your preference in 'Automatically Connect')

No wires, no internet needed, essentially repurposing outdated WiFi routers as a virtual print server.

As for this being 'easy' - after your iDevice has connected once it remembers that SSID's information and your printer should not lose any network information either.

* Find/Hire a geek to be CERTAIN any/all security concerns are addressed when (re) configuring your router - every environment is different.

Incidentally the question for this topic is "printing from an iPad without Wifi" - I'm not certain but, can anyone print from any iDevice at all, without some Wifi intervention? Does an Ethernet adapter of some sort exist?

Have Fun!

iPhoneHome wrote:

Alright, gonna see if I can get a solid answer to the golden question, "Can you print from the iPad without having an active WiFi network?"

No.

However, there is at least one AirPrint-compatible printer that creates its own WiFi network. I don't know the make and model so you'll have to search for it. Bear in mind that a WiFi network can easily exist with no connection to the Internet. There are other ways to create a simple WiFi network. It requires purchasing a router but I've never done it myself so I can't recommend specific makes and models.

Hiya,

Do any other HP printer models do this?

What should I be looking for in the specs?

I just want a Printer that I can print directly from my iPad, for eg if staying in a hotelroom. I don't want to connect to the hotels wi fi and I don't want any cloud based solutions.

Thanks in advance

I have solved this exact requirement by purchasing an HP Photosmart 6520 wireless printer. Works like a charm.

I have an iPad with 4G cellular, and I have no wireless router for Internet in the house. My only Internet connection is 4G through Verizon cellular. I have no wifi router, hence no wifi network.

The HP 6520 has a "Wireless Direct" mode, and the setup guide tells you exactly how to set it up for wireless printer if you have no wireless router.

You set up the wireless direct through the touchscreen menu, and the printer publishes its own SSID.

On the iPad, and also my iPhone, I connect to that wifi SSID.

Then using the iOS print apps in Mail, Safari, Photos, etc. - Print to the HP Photosmart and it works perfectly.

No router needed at all.

And the cool part, I can print Photos from the iPad or iPhone to the Photosmart, which has a nice 4x6 photo paper tray, and the Apps and printer are smart enough to send it directly to the photo paper (vs. the normal 8x11 paper).

And this particular printer will print 2-sided if you want it to, and this option is presented to you in the iPad and iPhone printer dialogue.

This printer was $110 at Best Buy. I am quite a happy camper. Getting one now for my mother also who has iPad with 4G but no wireless router.