Owais Crawford
AirPrint is a driverless printing protocol that allows users to print from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac devices. While AirPrint is designed to work seamlessly with compatible printers, users often seek ways to enable AirPrint on their existing non-AirPrint printers. One common question revolves around using Apple's AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme base stations to add AirPrint functionality to USB printers. It is possible to share a printer on a network that can be accessed by Windows and Mac devices, but enabling AirPrint requires additional steps. To use AirPrint with a non-AirPrint printer connected to an AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme, the printer must be set up on the network, and specific software or apps may need to be installed on the devices to enable printing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I use AirPrint with Airport Express? | Yes, but only if the printer is connected wirelessly to the AirPort Express. |
| Can I use a non-AirPrint printer with Airport Express? | Yes, but only with a Mac or PC. |
| Can I use a non-AirPrint printer with Airport Express and an iPad or iPhone? | Yes, but you will need to install an app such as Printer Pro or Printer Share. |
| Can I use a non-AirPrint printer with Airport Express without connecting it to a computer? | No, you will need to run server software on your computer to share the printer. |
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What You'll Learn
AirPrint compatibility with non-wireless printers
AirPrint is an Apple technology that allows wireless printing from Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod devices without the need to download or install drivers. While AirPrint is built into most current printers, some printers are not AirPrint-compatible.
To use AirPrint, your printer must be connected to Wi-Fi. If your printer is not wireless, you can still use AirPrint by connecting it to a Wi-Fi router via USB. You can then use System Preferences on your Mac to add the printer by clicking the "+" button and using the network tool to find it via Bonjour, a feature built into most devices.
Alternatively, you can use a Mac and the printer's own ad-hoc Wi-Fi network to set up wireless printing. First, install the Mac software that came with the printer, ensuring that it includes a printer setup assistant. Then, turn on the printer's ad-hoc Wi-Fi network and select it from the Wi-Fi menu on your Mac. Use the printer setup assistant to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Once connected, return to your regular Wi-Fi network and you're ready to start printing.
If you have an Airport Express or Extreme router, you can use it to make your non-wireless printer AirPrint-capable. Set up the Airport router, plug the printer into the USB port, and then set up the printer using the IP address of the Airport router. You may need to manually select the appropriate driver and set up AirPrint enabler software.
It's important to note that while these methods can enable wireless printing, they may not provide the full AirPrint functionality, such as easy discovery and automatic media selection. To ensure full AirPrint compatibility, it is recommended to refer to Apple's list of supported printers and choose a compatible model.
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AirPrint with Airport Express via USB
You can use AirPrint with Airport Express via USB, but it requires a few extra steps. Firstly, it is important to note that the printer cannot be connected to both USB and wireless at the same time for AirPrint to work. The USB connection must be made directly between the printer and the AirPort Express. This means that if you have an older printer that does not support wireless connectivity, you can use Airport Express to connect it to your Wi-Fi network and enable wireless printing.
To set up AirPrint with Airport Express via USB, follow these steps:
- Connect one end of your printer's standard USB cable to the printer and the other end to the USB port on the Apple AirPort Express.
- Ensure your Mac or PC is also connected to the same Airport Express network.
- Go to System Preferences -> Print & Scan and click the + symbol to add the printer.
- You may need to download the printer's native driver from the manufacturer's website.
- For iOS devices, you might need to install an app like Readdle's Printer Pro to enable printing via AirPrint.
It is worth noting that some sources suggest that AirPrint may not work with printers connected to the USB port of the Apple AirPort Base Station or Time Capsules. However, this issue may be resolved by connecting the printer directly to the wireless network, or by using AirPort Express to extend your existing Wi-Fi network.
Additionally, if you are using an older Airport Extreme, you may need to set it up with a static IP address and manually choose the appropriate driver for your printer. You can then use AirPrint enabler software, which can be found by searching for the appropriate software for your host system.
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AirPrint with Airport Express wirelessly
To use AirPrint with Airport Express wirelessly, you need to ensure that your printer is AirPrint-compatible. If it is not, you will need to use a third-party app or software such as Printopia, PrintNShare, or WebPrint to enable wireless printing.
If your printer is AirPrint-compatible, you can set up AirPrint on your Airport Express by following these general steps:
- Ensure that your Airport Express is set up correctly and connected to the same wireless network as your printer and device (e.g., iPhone, iPad).
- Connect your printer to the Airport Express wirelessly. Do not connect it using the USB port on the Airport Express, as this will not enable AirPrint.
- Update the firmware drivers for your printer. This may require temporarily connecting the printer to a computer via USB.
- On your device, open the print menu and select "Find Printers." If your AirPrint-compatible printer is properly connected, it should appear in the list of available printers.
- Select your printer and proceed with printing as usual.
It is important to note that while AirPrint allows for wireless printing from iOS devices, some older non-AirPrint printers may only be compatible with Mac or PC. In these cases, you may need to install specific printer drivers on your Mac to enable printing. Additionally, you may need to ensure that your printer has support for zeroconf (Bonjour or Rendezvous) for it to be recognised by your devices.
For specific instructions regarding your particular printer and Airport Express setup, it is recommended to refer to official Apple support resources or seek advice from Apple customer support.
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AirPrint with Airport Express on iPad
If you want to use AirPrint with Airport Express on an iPad, your printer must be AirPrint-compatible. If your printer is AirPrint-compatible, you should connect it wirelessly to your Airport Express, not via USB.
If your printer is not AirPrint-compatible, you can use an app on your iPad to print via Airport Express. Some apps that enable this include Printopia and Printer Pro. Alternatively, you can run server software on your computer to share the printer, but this method requires your computer to be on for printing to work.
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AirPrint with Airport Express on iPhone
AirPrint is a driverless printing protocol that allows users to print from their iPhone devices without the need for printer drivers or additional software. However, when using an Airport Express or Airport Extreme base station, the printing experience varies between different devices.
When attempting to print from an iPhone connected to a network with an Airport Express or Airport Extreme base station, it is important to note that iPhone devices cannot print directly to a printer connected to these base stations via USB. This is because the iPhone does not have built-in printer drivers, and the base station essentially extends the USB cable wirelessly to the printer, requiring drivers on the host computer.
To print from an iPhone with Airport Express or Airport Extreme in the network, there are a few potential workarounds:
- Use a printer that supports AirPrint natively: Native AirPrint-capable printers do not require additional software or driver installations and can be set up simply by connecting them to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.
- Install third-party applications: Certain third-party applications, such as printNshare and webprint, can enable printing from an iPhone to a non-AirPrint printer. These applications act as intermediaries, sending the print output to a computer that is configured to print to the desired printer.
- Run AirPrint enabler software: By setting up AirPrint enabler software on the host computer, you can make the printer visible to iOS devices. However, this software needs to be kept running on the computer for AirPrint to function.
It is worth noting that while these workarounds exist, purchasing a native AirPrint-capable printer is often the most straightforward and convenient solution, as it eliminates the need for complex configurations or additional software.
When using a macOS or OSX device, printing via AirPrint is possible by plugging the printer into the WiFi router via USB and adding it through System Preferences. This method works for both Mac and PC, as well as iOS devices, according to some sources. However, other sources suggest that while this setup works for Mac and PC, there are challenges in setting up printing via Bonjour for iOS devices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use AirPrint with Airport Express, but the printer must be connected wirelessly to the AirPort Express and not via USB.
Yes, you can use a non-AirPrint printer with Airport Express, but you will need to install an app on your iPad or laptop to do so. Readdle's Printer Pro is one such app.
Yes, you can use your iPhone with Airport Express, but you will need to install an app such as Printer Share or PrintNShare.
Yes, you can use your Mac with Airport Express. You will need to plug the printer into the USB port of the Airport Express and then set up the printer using the IP address of the AirPort Express.
