Is it possible to print using the USB cable and an adaptor using my HP printer? Are there any print drivers available for the ipad?
My HP printer is not wireless, unfortunately.
iPad mini, iPadOS 18
iOS/iPadOS doesn’t natively support direct connection to a USB Printer. Instead, these devices use a network connection to supported printers typically over WiFi - or if explicitly supported by the printer, a wired ethernet connection.
See:
Apple AirPrint is a driverless connection protocol. A high proportion of modern printers intended for Home, SoHo and Business environments now support AirPrint:
About AirPrint - Apple Support
If your Printer does not support AirPrint, WiFi Direct is simple wireless alternative - but will require use of an appropriate App supplied by the Printer Manufacturer (e.g., many HP Printers use the HP Smart App).
A further alternative is to add AirPrint support to your existing USB Printer using a Print Server (e.g., Lantronix xPrintServer - or a Raspberry Pi running CUPS). Both are viable, however, you may find that purchase of a cheap AirPrint-capable printer may be more cost effective.
You should note that unlike many computer Operating Systems with which you may be familiar, iOS/iPadOS does have any facility to independently add device-driver software for external hardware devices. The only method by which third-party drivers can be added to an iOS/iPadOS devices is to install a manufacturer-provided companion App.
iOS/iPadOS doesn’t natively support direct connection to a USB Printer. Instead, these devices use a network connection to supported printers typically over WiFi - or if explicitly supported by the printer, a wired ethernet connection.
See:
Apple AirPrint is a driverless connection protocol. A high proportion of modern printers intended for Home, SoHo and Business environments now support AirPrint:
About AirPrint - Apple Support
If your Printer does not support AirPrint, WiFi Direct is simple wireless alternative - but will require use of an appropriate App supplied by the Printer Manufacturer (e.g., many HP Printers use the HP Smart App).
A further alternative is to add AirPrint support to your existing USB Printer using a Print Server (e.g., Lantronix xPrintServer - or a Raspberry Pi running CUPS). Both are viable, however, you may find that purchase of a cheap AirPrint-capable printer may be more cost effective.
You should note that unlike many computer Operating Systems with which you may be familiar, iOS/iPadOS does have any facility to independently add device-driver software for external hardware devices. The only method by which third-party drivers can be added to an iOS/iPadOS devices is to install a manufacturer-provided companion App.
Printing from the latest model ipad mini using a cable with USB adaptor
