Is it possible to print from an apple device without a wifi network?
iOS 5.0.1, iPhone 4 & iPad 2
Is your question actually: Can I print from an iOS device over the cellular network? If so, then the basic answer is no. In addition another issue would be the amount of data that would need to be transmitted would be significant and eat up most data plans offered by the major cellular carriers.
I guess to put it, my in-laws do not have internet at their house. They have an iPad with AT&T Service and (2) iPhones. Is it possible to buy a printer that would work from the iPad and the iPhones in this scenario. They do not want to get any internet service in their home as they feel they have enough with the iPad and iPhones on AT&T Service.
To print from an iOS device to a "wireless" printer, a Wi-Fi wireless network would be required. Internet access; however, is not necessary. So, for example, you could use a Wi-Fi router, like the AirPorts, to provide the needed wireless network.
Is it possible to print from an apple device without a wifi network?
Simply stated, no, if you are asking about iPhones and iPads.
You will need a wireless network to be able to print from iPhones and iPads. However, an Internet connection would not be a requirement.
But, since wireless is much faster than 3G or 4G, an Internet connection would be beneficial to download new operating system updates, documents, and Apps.
If you...or the in-laws.... are thinking of buying a printer to work over a wireless network, make sure that you buy an AirPrint compatible printer. Then, the iPhones and iPad will be able to print directly to the printer.
See this Apple support document for AirPrint compatible devices:
Yesterday I visited an Apple Store and was told that there was no way to do this even with Airport without having high speed internet access in the house.
Today I visited a different store, which happens to be a Big Box Store, and was told that the HP "20" Series printers have a Wireless Direct Feature that allows you to print directly to the printer without having a WIFI Router or Internet Access from your iPhone or iPad. While in the store, I downloaded the HP ePrint App from the App Store and tried this from my iPhone myself. After installing the app, connecting via Wi-Fi in Settings to the printers, tried all of them to make sure it would work, I was able to print out pictures as well as e-mails from my hotmail account. So, if anyone is looking and interested it is possible with HP 5520, HP 6520, and HP 7520 printers, as long as you download the HP ePrint App. I purchased the in-laws the HP 7520.
Hope this helps. Sure eliminates an obstacle, discussion point, with the in-laws.
Yesterday I visited an Apple Store and was told that there was no way to do this even with Airport without having high speed internet access in the house.
This is absolutely, positively, not correct.
I have done this a number of times, including yesterday as a test before answering this post. I am sure that Tesserax has done this as well.
But, good luck with the in-laws.
Not sure, but here is the instructions directly from the owners manual for the HP 7520.
I cannot make out the text, but my previous apply assumed that you wanted to create a wireless network.....without Internet access...... using an Apple device, like an AirPort Express.
It's simple....just "create a wireless network with a name and password of your choice. You will be notified of an "error" that you do not have an Internet connection. Simply click to "ignore" that error you will have a green light on the AirPort.
If the Apple guys told you that this is not possible, then they are simply wrong.
Devices will be able to connect to the wireless network and print to the printer....assuming that it is AirPrint compatible model.
My guess would be that the printer that you already have is not an AirPrint compatible model. In that case, the Apple store guys were partially correct. But, there are Apps that you can install on the iPhone and iPad that will allow printing to most printers, even if they are not AirPrint compatible.
If you have a question about how to configure an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme to create a wireless network.....without an Internet connection.....we can probably help.
Is it possible to print from an apple device without a wifi network?
