how can I print wirelessly from my iPad?

Question

Level 1

8 points

how can I print wirelessly from my iPad?

Hello. What kind of hardware would I need to print from an iPad (it's an older one, 4th Generation, WiFi only maxed out at iOS 10.3.3) to an older Canon (no Bluetooth etc., just USB) printer?

Also, what kind of software (drivers, etc.) would I need...

Would this be bundled with whatever hardware I'd need, or...

would it be an app to install on the iPad (it's getting harder and harder to install new apps because so many of them require an OS higher than 10.3.3, but my iPad updates won't go any higher anymore), or...

Might it be baked into the iOS?

TIA!

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi

Posted on Mar 19, 2021 12:33 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Level 10

303,644 points

Mar 19, 2021 2:20 PM in response to prb0123

Your iPad can only print using AirPrint over WiFi. However, your printer supports neither WiFi nor AirPrint.

As such, you have two principal methods by which you can print with this combination:

1) Using a PC with a USB port with which to connect your printer and upon which you can install the required Canon printer drivers - you must install a print-helper App that emulates AirPrint. Your PC must also be connected to your WiFi or ethernet network connection of your WiFi router.

One such App that comes to mind is Readdle Printer Pro Desktop:

https://support.readdle.com/ppd/

2) Install an AirPrint Print Server appliance on your ethernet network - such as a Lantronix xPrinterServer. These, of you find one, are not inexpensive.

Either of these options make AirPrint viable from your old iPad - although it may just be cheaper to buy a modern AirPrint-capable printer.

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 19, 2021 12:56 PM in response to prb0123

Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 3

prb0123 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 19, 2021 4:44 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you @LotusPilot! I'm not 100% grasping what you've said, so here's a little more detail that will hopefully clarify things:

My Dad owns:

the old iPad
the old Canon printer
an old HP computer, which is on our WiFi network and is currently USB-connected to the printer

I own:

a newer Android phone
a Dell laptop (also very new)

So we'd like to be able to print from his iPad, my Android, and my Dell without going via the HP (in other words, when the HP is turned off). We're thinking of getting rid of the HP entirely, possibly replacing it with a newer PC.

Thanks again for your help... I'm not the most technically literate person! lol

Reply

how can I print wirelessly from my iPad?

Similar questions