
Apple's AirPort Express device provides an Internet connection for wireless printing, allowing users to print from anywhere in the office and share the printer with all their computers and devices. It is possible to connect a printer to the USB port on the AirPort Time Capsule or AirPort base station. However, it is important to note that connecting a printer to these ports does not make it an AirPrint-enabled printer. While AirPrint works with Wi-Fi or wired network connections, it does not support AirPrint via a USB connection to an AirPort base station.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I plug a printer into an Apple Airport USB port? | Yes, you can plug a printer into an Apple Airport USB port. |
| Connection method | Plug one end of the USB cable into the printer and the other end into the Apple Airport Express. |
| Software | Download and launch the AirPort Utility software from Apple's website. |
| Wireless printing | Wireless printing is possible with Apple's AirPort Express, which provides the Internet connection necessary for wireless printing. |
| AirPrint compatibility | AirPrint does not work with USB printers connected to an AirPort Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule. |
| iOS compatibility | iOS devices may require additional apps, such as Printopia, to enable printing from iOS devices. |
| Network visibility | Ensure that your Mac or PC is also connected to the same Airport Express or Extreme network for the printer to be visible on the network. |
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What You'll Learn

Connecting a printer to an Apple Airport USB port
You can connect a printer to an Apple Airport USB port. This is a useful way to connect an older printer to your Wi-Fi network.
First, turn on your printer and Apple Airport Express. Connect one end of your printer's USB cable to the printer and the other end to the USB port on the Apple Airport Express.
Next, you need to connect your Mac or PC to the Airport Express. Open System Preferences and go to 'Print & Scan', then click the + symbol to add the printer.
You can also use the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder. Select your base station, click 'Edit', and enter your password if prompted. Choose 'Base Station > Add WPS Printer' and select how you want to add the printer to the network.
It's worth noting that connecting a printer to an Apple Airport USB port does not make it an AirPrint-enabled printer. If you want to print from an iOS device, you may need to use a third-party app like Printopia.
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Using a USB printer with an iPhone
You can connect a USB printer to an Apple Airport USB port. This allows you to share your USB printer over the network. To do this, you will need to connect one end of your printer's USB cable into the printer and the other end into the Apple Airport Express.
To print from an iPhone or iPad with a printer that cannot connect wirelessly, you will need a USB cable and a USB OTG adapter that connects your iPhone to the USB cable. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Turn on your printer.
- Connect one end of the USB cable to your printer and the other end to the USB OTG adapter.
- Plug the other end of the USB OTG adapter into your iPhone or iPad.
- A pop-up should appear on your iPhone or iPad. Tap 'OK'.
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to the document you wish to print and tap the Share button.
- If you have an iPhone X or later, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to the middle and stay there until you see the App Switcher. For iPhone 8 or older, double-click the home button.
- Swipe left or right to find the app, then tap Print Centre.
You can also print wirelessly without AirPrint by downloading your printer's app on an iPhone or iPad. Most current printers with wireless capabilities have the AirPrint feature, which allows the printer to easily sync with an iPhone or iPad and print directly.
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Turning a USB printer into a wireless printer
Yes, you can plug a printer into an Apple AirPort USB port. This will allow you to connect your printer to your Wi-Fi network, so you can send documents from any device, anywhere in your home or office.
- Connect one end of your printer's USB cable into the printer, and connect the other end of the USB cable to the Apple AirPort Express.
- Ensure that both your printer and the Apple AirPort Express are turned on.
- Connect your Mac or PC to the same Airport Express network.
- Go to System Preferences -> Print & Scan and click the + symbol to add the printer.
- Open a document, then choose File > Print. Click the Printer pop-up menu, then choose the printer from the menu.
Note that this method is not limited to Airport Express or Extreme. As long as your router supports USB devices, this method can be applied.
You can also use a Bluetooth adapter to make your printer wireless. Plug the adapter into the printer's USB port to enable a wireless connection. Then, pair your printer with your devices by opening the Bluetooth settings on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and selecting your printer. Finally, install the required drivers from the printer's website or the included CD.
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Connecting a printer to an AirPort Time Capsule
You can connect a printer to an Apple AirPort Time Capsule to make it available on your network. This can be done using a USB or Ethernet cable.
Firstly, ensure your printer is set up correctly, with the ink or toner installed, and paper added. You should also test your printer by connecting it to the USB port on your Mac and printing a test page.
If your printer has an Ethernet port, use an Ethernet cable to connect it to an Ethernet port on your Time Capsule. If your printer does not have an Ethernet port, connect it to the USB port on the Time Capsule using a USB cable.
Next, open a document and choose File > Print. From the Printer drop-down menu, choose Add Printer. Choose the printer from the list, check that Use is set to AirPrint, and click Add. Now choose File > Print and Print to print any document wirelessly.
Note that connecting a printer to an AirPort Time Capsule does not make it an AirPrint-enabled printer. You may need to update your printer software and check with the printer manufacturer to see if any updates are available for your specific printer model.
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Troubleshooting printer connection issues
You can connect a printer to your Wi-Fi network using an Apple AirPort Express or AirPort base station. This allows you to connect your printer to your network using a USB cable, which is useful if your printer is an older model that does not have Wi-Fi functionality.
To troubleshoot printer connection issues, try the following steps:
- Ensure that your printer is connected to the USB port on your AirPort Time Capsule or AirPort base station.
- Check that your printer is turned on and is not displaying any error messages.
- Update your printer software: Check with your printer's manufacturer to see if any updates are available for your specific model.
- Open the AirPort Utility app on your Mac, located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
- In the graphical overview, select your base station, then click "Edit". You may need to enter a password for the base station.
- Choose "Base Station > Add WPS Printer".
- Select how you want to add the printer to the network: Choose "PIN" to enter the eight-digit number for the printer that is requesting network access.
- After the printer is connected to the network, go to System Preferences -> Print & Scan and click the "+" symbol to add the printer.
If you are still experiencing issues, try connecting your MacBook directly to the printer via a USB cable to see if the issue is specific to the wireless connection. You can also try resetting your AirPort Express or Extreme and reconfiguring it using AirPort Utility.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can plug your printer into the USB port on your Apple AirPort.
First, turn on your printer and Apple AirPort Express. Then, connect one end of your printer's USB cable to the printer and the other end to the AirPort Express. You can now access the printer in the Print Options when printing a document.
AirPrint works with Wi-Fi or wired network connections. AirPrint devices connected to the USB port of an Apple AirPort Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule cannot use AirPrint. However, you can try third-party apps such as Printopia or Epson's iPrint app to print from an iOS device.


















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