How can I use my Epson WF-2860 printer with my MacBookAir in a hotel without using their wi-i? Cord? Bluetooth? Hotspot? I don’t want to use their wi-fi due to privacy issues. I’ve also asked the Apple community how to do this with my iPad ( and iPhone 15 ProMax)
MacBook Air 15″, macOS 14.0
Hi,
The Epson WF-2860 is listed as a supported printer in About AirPrint - Apple Support (en-us edition, January 23, 2024). This means that it should work for printing without additional drivers/software, provided that the printer is connected to the same network (Wi-Fi router) as a MacBook Air (or iPad/iPhone).
Do you have an old/spare Wi-Fi router (almost any model should do)? If so, you could carry out an experiment with that device. If not, something suitable could probably be found for a few dollars in a thrift shop.
The interesting part is the local side (LAN/WLAN) of the router. The Internet port (WAN) does not have to be used/connected. Once your own wireless network has been set up, you would have a Wi-Fi "hotspot" for AirPrint printing purposes only.
Also, AirPrint works with wireless (Wi-Fi) or wired (Ethernet) network connections. The WF-2860 has Ethernet in addition to Wi-Fi, so you could choose to wire the printer to one of the LAN ports of the router instead of using a wireless connection.
How about connecting the MacBook and printer to an iPhone’s hot spot?
How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Multiple devices can be connected at the same time (although that’s controlled by the cellular providers and the model of the iPhone.) Worth a try.
Thank you for the information.
The OP could of course test whether the WF-2860's Wi-Fi Direct Mode would allow printing directly from an iPad or an iPhone connected to printer's built-in network without an additional app.
Otherwise, the WF-2860 is supported by the Epson iPrint iPadOS/iOS app, which may be needed.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epson-iprint/id326876192
For temporary printing when travelling, Wi-Fi Direct Mode could possibly be an option for the Mac as well.
The Personal Hotspot of an iPhone is not a normal router, so handling the Bonjour/mDNS needed for AirPrint may be difficult.
A "real" mobile broadband (4G/5G) router should work.
A small travel router (perhaps something like a TL-WR902AC) could also be a candidate for tests (even without an Internet/WAN connection).
Have you tried something like this with your WF-2860?
My WF-2860 is connected to my WiFi network and my iPhone and iPad can print to it. I also have the printer connected to my M1 Studio Max with a USB cable. Granted, I don’t actually need the USB connection because of AirPrint and the printer shows up as both an AirPrint printer and a USB printer. I also use the Printopia server app to make my old, non-network HP LaserJet 1022 available to my iOS devices for printing jobs.
There are a few articles floating around about printing from an iPhone/iPad without a WiFi network using the HotSpot and I'm just trying to help the OP without buying a router or another piece of hardware to do it.
Use a USB cable to connect the WF-2860 to your MacBook Air. You don’t have to use WiFi AirPrint.
Why complicate things? Just use a USB cable and be done with it. No router needed, no network configuration needed. I have the same WF-2860 and a USB cable works perfectly well.
Because the OP mentioned printing from an iPad and an iPhone as well.
How can I use my Epson WF-2860 printer with my MacBookPro without wi-fi available?
