Airprint Compatibility: Old Airports, New Tech

If you have an old printer that you want to use wirelessly with AirPrint, you may be able to connect it to your network using an old AirPort Time Capsule or AirPort base station. However, simply connecting your printer to an AirPort device does not make it AirPrint-enabled. To print from an iOS device, you may need to use a third-party app or printer-specific apps, such as Printer Pro or Printopia. Alternatively, you can use a Raspberry Pi or a Mac with specific software to act as an AirPrint server.

AirPrint compatibility with old airport routers

AirPrint is a wireless printing feature that allows Apple devices to print to a compatible printer without the need for installing drivers. While AirPrint is designed to work seamlessly with compatible printers, using AirPrint with older routers or legacy Airport Express devices may require additional steps or workarounds.

Compatibility with Older Routers

Apple routers generally do not support custom software, so using AirPrint with a generic or third-party router may be necessary. Some routers can run stripped-down versions of Linux, such as DD-WRT or Tomato, which can enable AirPrint sharing with standard printers using CUPS and avahi (Bonjour). However, this requires technical knowledge and involves "a fair bit of hacking and googling."

Compatibility with Airport Express

Using AirPrint with older Airport Express devices can be more challenging. The Ethernet port on older Airport Express models (A1084 and A1088) is not enabled for AirPrint, while newer models (A1264 and A1392) have enabled Ethernet ports. For USB connections, AirPrint was not designed to work over USB, but rather over wireless and/or Ethernet.

Workarounds and Alternatives

If you have a non-AirPrint printer, there are workarounds to enable wireless printing using an old Airport Express or a different router. One method is to use a Mac OS device to run a program that allows iOS devices to AirPrint to the printer. Alternatively, you can use third-party software such as Printopia or HandyPrint to enable AirPrint on non-AirPrint printers.

AirPrint with legacy Airport Express

If you have an old AirPort Express and want to use it to connect to your AirPrint-enabled printer, you may be able to do so, but it depends on the model of your AirPort Express. The Ethernet port is not enabled on older A1084 and A1088 versions of the AirPort Express. It is, however, enabled on the A1264 and current A1392 versions.

If you have a compatible AirPort Express, you can connect your AirPrint-enabled printer to the Ethernet port. If you don't have a compatible AirPort Express, you can try using a different connection method, such as USB, or purchase a newer AirPort Express.

It's worth noting that connecting a printer to an AirPort Time Capsule or an AirPort base station doesn't make it an AirPrint-enabled printer. You may need to update your printer software and ensure that your printer is set up correctly and displaying no errors.

If you want to use AirPrint without an AirPrint-enabled printer, you can run server software on your computer to share the printer. There are several options available depending on your operating system. You can also try using third-party software, such as Printopia, to enable AirPrint on unsupported printers.

Additionally, if you have a Mac OS device that is always on or running most of the time, you can run a program on it to allow your iOS devices to AirPrint to a non-AirPrint-enabled printer.

AirPrint without connecting to a computer

AirPrint is a wireless printing technology that allows users to print from their Apple devices, such as Mac, iPhone, or iPad, to an AirPrint-enabled printer. While AirPrint typically requires a Wi-Fi network connection, it is possible to use AirPrint without connecting to a computer or a network in certain scenarios. Here are the steps to enable AirPrint without a computer:

Using a Printer Hotspot:

Some AirPrint-capable printers have built-in wireless network adapters and can create their own "hotspot" for devices to connect to. This allows users to connect their Apple devices directly to the printer's Wi-Fi network without the need for a separate Wi-Fi network. Here's how to do it:

• On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app and tap on the printer's name under "Choose a Network." Then, tap "Join This Network."
• Once connected, you will see a Wi-Fi icon with an exclamation point, indicating that your device has an IP address but no internet access. This is expected behaviour.
• You can now use AirPrint with your printer.
• For Mac, launch System Preferences and select your printer under "Network Name." You will see the Wi-Fi icon "struggling" to display the connected symbol, but you will have access to AirPrint from any application on your macOS device.

Using a Router with USB Port:

If you have a router with a USB port, you can connect your printer to the router and set it up for wireless printing without needing a computer. Here's how:

• Set up the old Airport router in your desired location and disable the Wi-Fi and networking features.
• Connect your printer to the USB port on the router.
• Set up the printer using the IP address of the router. You may need to manually select the appropriate driver for your printer.
• Install AirPrint enabler software on your device. Search for software that is compatible with your operating system and specific printer model.
• You should now be able to use AirPrint with your printer.

It is important to note that direct printer-to-device connections via USB or Ethernet may not work with all printers. Older AirPort Express models (A1084 and A1088) do not support Ethernet connections for AirPrint. Additionally, AirPrint devices connected to the USB port of an Apple AirPort Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule are currently not supported for AirPrint. Always refer to your printer's documentation or contact the manufacturer for specific instructions and compatibility information.

AirPrint with a USB-enabled printer

AirPrint is a technology built into most popular printer models that allows for full-quality printed output without the need to download or install drivers. To use AirPrint, you simply need to connect your AirPrint-enabled printer to a Wi-Fi network and choose it in the print dialogue when printing from your Apple device.

If you have a USB-only printer, you can still use AirPrint by connecting it to a Wi-Fi network. Here are the steps to do so:

Steps to Connect a USB-Only Printer to a Wi-Fi Network:

• Connect the printer to your Mac using the appropriate USB cable.
• Install the Mac software that came with the printer, ensuring that it includes a printer setup assistant.
• Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Refer to the printer's documentation for detailed instructions.
• Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the Mac. The printer should now be connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Additional Methods to Connect a USB-Only Printer:

• Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS): If your Wi-Fi router is an AirPort Base Station, open AirPort Utility and select your base station. Choose "Base Station > Add WPS Printer" from the menu bar, then follow the prompts to complete the setup.
• Ad-hoc Wi-Fi Network: Install the Mac software that came with the printer, ensuring it includes a printer setup assistant. Turn on the printer's ad-hoc Wi-Fi network and use the setup assistant to connect the printer to your main Wi-Fi network.
• Third-Party Apps: If you want to connect a USB-only printer directly to your iPhone or iPad, you can use a third-party app that supports printing over a USB connection, such as ezeep Blue.

By following these steps and methods, you can use AirPrint with a USB-enabled printer by connecting it to a Wi-Fi network or using alternative connection methods.

AirPrint with a non-wireless printer

AirPrint is a wireless printing feature for Apple devices. While AirPrint is designed to work with wireless printers, it is possible to use it with a non-wireless printer. Here are some ways to do this:

Using a Router or Extender

If you have a router or Wi-Fi extender with a USB port, such as an old Apple AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme, you can connect your non-wireless printer to the network through the USB port. This will allow you to use AirPrint with your non-wireless printer.

Using a Computer

You can also use a computer as an intermediary between your Apple device and the non-wirewireless printer. To do this, connect the printer to a computer via USB, and make sure the computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple device. Then, you can use printer sharing to print from your Apple device. This method may require additional software, such as Printopia or HandyPrint for Mac, or a printer sharing setup for Windows.

Using a Server

Another option is to use a print server, which is a device that connects your printer to your network. Some print servers, like the retired Apple AirPort Express, can be found second-hand and used as Wi-Fi extenders. Alternatively, you can set up a Raspberry Pi with Linux as a homebrew AirPrint server.

Using a Wireless Printer

Finally, if none of the above options work for you, it may be easiest to purchase a new wireless printer that is AirPrint-enabled. Many wireless printers are now available at affordable prices and will allow you to use AirPrint without any additional setup.

Frequently asked questions