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AirPrint Information and FAQ

All, I figured I'd start one of my famous FAQ threads here to help head off some of the problems. So with that being said, lets get started.

Q: What is AirPrint?
A: AirPrint enables printing from a supported iOS 4.2 device to supported AirPrint enabled printers. Today several HP models support AirPrint.

Apple AirPrint Information and Printer list:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4356

Apple AirPrint Support Page:
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/airprint.html

HP AirPrint Information and Printer list:
http://www.hp.com/go/airprint

HP AirPrint Support Page:
http://www.hp.com/sbso/printing/mac/hp-airprint.html

Q: I don't have one of the supported printers, is there any other way for me to get AirPrint to work?
A: Yes, there are several third party AirPrint Sharing Solutions for the Mac (although I am not personally endorsing any of them):

FingerPrint
http://www.collobos.com/

Printopia for Mac
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/printopia/

If you have a problem with a specific printer while using one of these applications, please direct the question to vendor that wrote the app.

Q: Does AirPrint work directly with any Printer?
A: No. At this time, only select models from HP work with Airprint.

Q: Can I share a printer from my Mac and print to it?
A: See the above question for the 3rd party products that enable AirPrint Sharing.

Q: Can I connect a USB printer to my AirPort BaseStation (Express, Extreme, TimeCapsule)?
A: This is not supported. See above.

Q: Can I use AirPrint with my older HP printers?
A: This is not supported by HP. See above.

Q: I have one of the supported printers that is supposed to work now, but I'm not seeing it. What's wrong?
A: Make sure you have updated to the latest firmware available. You can check in:

Tools->Web->Automatic Updates->Check for Product Updates.

Note that you may need to enable eWeb Services to see the updates.

Q: I have on of the printers that will be supported in the future (ie one of the Officejets), when will it be supported?
A: While at the moment the latest official answer is December 27th. I hope to be able to update this soon with an earlier date, but it will still be sometime in December.

Q: I have an iPhone 3G or a second gen iPod touch. I have iOS 4.2, but I am not seeing AirPrint, can you help?
A: AirPrint only shows up on iOS devices that support multitasking. While these devices have iOS 4.2 available for them, they do not support multitasking and hence do not support AirPrint.

Q: I still can't figure this out, what am I doing wrong?
A: Hopefully HP will have a support doc posted later today with pictures to help you work through the steps. I'll post a separate link to that document once its ready.

I will build on this list in this thread over time if you have questions that aren't answered here.

And while most of you from the Mac forums know this, I need to make it clear here as well: Although I am an HP employee, I am speaking for myself and not for HP.

Just trying to help.

Andrew

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Nov 23, 2010 12:41 PM

150 replies

Nov 9, 2011 11:18 AM in response to HP Mac Architect

I found your post really useful.

I just bought a HP 4500 Officjet to which i can print wirelessly from my PC.

However I have a Mac, and also IPad/Iphone, all of which are connected wirelessly on the same network as the HP.

Can I print wirelessly to the printer (its not on the list of Airprint compatible printers)? Are there any plans for future HW upgrades?

Thanks

Mark

Nov 28, 2011 6:38 PM in response to brianfromsayville

One simple solution that worked for me was that I had two broadcast channels, on the same apple time capsule router.

One for personal use at 5 ghz and one for guests on the 2ghz frequency.

Well the 2 ghz works better through walls and such, so I sign under the guest 2ghz channel all the time. The hp printer is set up on the 5ghz channel, so I kept getting the message that airprinter not found on my iPad iPhone etc.

I switched the iPad from the "guest" 2ghz channel, to the 5ghz channel that I originally set up the hp printer to, now the printer works for the iPads, iPhones and etc.

Dec 8, 2011 10:43 AM in response to HP Mac Architect

Hey Mac Architect, and all:

I have an older Linksys WRT54G (running latest factory firmware). I use it with Apple TV 2, mirroring, iTunes, no problems at all.

Does this mean I shouldn't have a problem with Airprint as well?

Also, I am going to test it with the Bonjour Discovery app on my iPhone and iPad. If Apple TV and all my iTunes computers show up, does that mean I'm free and clear to use AirPrint?

I am hoping to buy a printer in the next couple of days, so please respond if anyone gets this.

I know Mac Architect listed the Linksys WRT54G in the list of routers tested, but he never said if it WORKED or not!!!

Dec 12, 2011 8:55 AM in response to mark2kweb

Bump

Chris CA

Level 10

82,476 points

Dec 28, 2011 10:58 AM in response to mark2kweb

Yes, the Linksys WRT54G will work. (others use it - Google).

Did you test the Bonjour Discovery app?

I doubt Mac Architect would list it as tested if it did not work wihtout specifically stating it dod not work.

Rosi wdz

Level 1

17 points

Mar 15, 2012 9:38 AM in response to Steve Sussman

Hi Steve,

ok, I am rather desperate here, and have spent hours and hours fruitlessly trying to resolve it..... I am having the exact same problem you refer to, where I try to print A4 documents and it defaults to the photo tray. Funny thing is it didn't do this for the first week of using it, then something clearly changed and whichever printer I choose it always wants to output from photo tray in A6. Please can you tell me of ANY workaround you know of.

Thanks

Rosie

rbii

Level 2

345 points

Mar 15, 2012 12:30 PM in response to Rosi wdz

Rosie,

You didn't mention what model printer you are using.

Rosi wdz

Level 1

17 points

Mar 17, 2012 10:05 AM in response to rbii

Hi,

sorry, I am using an HP Photosmart C8180 and a Brother MFC-6490cw. I didn't mention them initially, because it seems unlikely that it is a compatability issue since both these printers worked fine with Fingerprint app printing in A4 size only ten days ago. Suddenly that changed- tried rebooting (everything) but no change. As far as I can tell this is something to do with the way Airprint is set up to automatically select the photo tray (A6). Problem is I simply don't have the knowledge to be able to change that setting (how, where to go etc)

Any suggestions??

rbii

Level 2

345 points

Mar 17, 2012 10:10 AM in response to Rosi wdz

The list of supported AirPrint printers can be found here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4356

Beyond that if you have software attempting to make an unsupported printer work then you should check with the maker of that software. In your case that appears to be the makers of Fingerprint.

Aliel2

Level 1

0 points

Jun 6, 2012 10:45 PM in response to soccerjf

Hi there,

Can you explain how you forced the update as I have the same printer but it says it is update and I've done everything else and I can't pri t from my iPad. Thanks.

Aliel2

Level 1

0 points

Jun 6, 2012 10:50 PM in response to charlesvan

How do younenable web access on your hp? I've seen this advice but don't know the steps to do it. Much obliged for your help!

Aliel2

Level 1

0 points

Jun 6, 2012 11:06 PM in response to Aliel2

On my office jet 8509 a910 I checked te firmware on the reports and compared it to the hp website and it indicates I have the latest version. I have ios5.1.1on my ipad2. I checked and on web services both that and apps are on/enabled. I am at a loss as my iPad can't find the printer...

rbii

Level 2

345 points

Jun 7, 2012 8:28 AM in response to Aliel2

Do you mean OfficeJet 8500A a910?

First you'll want to make sure that both the printer and the iPad are on the same WiFi network. You'll find some help at the bottom of this web page:

AirPrint 101

in the "If you are unable to print, or if you see the message 'No AirPrint Printers Found' " section.

If you still can't find your printer after those steps please let us know your router make and model. Some routers will block the discovery of AirPrint printers.

May 25, 2013 2:52 PM in response to HP Mac Architect

i dont understand.. is bonjour an app i need? i have an iphone 5 and a hp photosmart 5520 but my iphone is not seeing it when i go to air print! help!

amanda

Fred-M-

Level 4

2,397 points

May 25, 2013 8:31 PM in response to amandavalencia09

Amanda-

Bonjour is a data format used by the iPad or iPhone when printing with AirPrint. One reason your iPhone does not see the printer, could be that your WiFi router does not pass the Bonjour data. If that is the case, you would need to contact the router manufacturer to see if there is a change to its setup or a firmware update that will correct the problem.

Also be sure your printer is connected to the network via WiFi or Ethernet. It will not work if connected to a WiFi router's USB connection. AirPrint does not work over USB.

I see that your printer is listed on Apple's list of AirPrint printers, so it should work. Just in case, I suggest you check to see if the printer needs an update. You should be able to do that from the printer's control panel in one of the setup or preferences menus.

Fred

AirPrint Information and FAQ