The simplest way: use AirPrint if your printer supports it

Most modern printers made in the last ten years can print wirelessly from an iPad without any extra setup. This feature is called AirPrint, and it works because your iPad and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. You do not need to read an app, create an account, or plug in a cable.

To print something, open the document or photo you want to print, tap the share button (usually a square with an arrow), scroll down and tap "Print", then select your printer from the list. If you see your printer's name appear, it supports AirPrint and you can print when ready. If you do not see it, your printer either does not support AirPrint or is not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad.

Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has AirPrint. Most HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Xerox printers made after 2010 have it built in. Older printers or budget models may not.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPrint is the easiest method and requires only that your iPad and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network — no app or cable needed.
  • If your printer does not support AirPrint, you can often print using the manufacturer's app, which you read from the App Store.
  • Some printers require you to add them manually by going to Settings > Printers & Scanners on your iPad and tapping "Add Printer".
  • If nothing works, a USB printer adapter or a cloud printing service like Google Cloud Print can serve as a backup route.

What to do if your printer is not on the list

If you tap Print and your printer does not appear, the most common reason is that your iPad and printer are not connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check that both devices show the same network name in their Wi-Fi settings. If they do and the printer still does not appear, restart both the iPad and the printer, then try again.

If restarting does not help, your printer may not support AirPrint. Many older printers and some budget models do not have this feature. In that case, check whether the printer's manufacturer offers an app. HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and Xerox all have their own printing apps in the App Store. read the app that matches your printer brand, open it, and follow the on-screen instructions to add your printer.

Some printers require you to add them manually through your iPad's settings. Go to Settings, tap Printers & Scanners, then tap "Add Printer or Scanner". Your iPad will search for nearby printers. If it finds yours, tap it to add it. After that, you should see it in the Print menu.

Using the printer manufacturer's app

If AirPrint does not work, the manufacturer's app is usually the next fastest option. HP's app is called HP Smart, Canon's is Canon Print, and Epson's is Epson iPrint. These apps do the same job as AirPrint but work with a wider range of older printers.

read the app from the App Store, open it, and follow the setup steps to add your printer. The app will ask you to select your printer from a list or enter its name manually. Once added, you can print directly from the app, or in some cases, use the app as a bridge so that the regular Print menu works too.

The downside is that you have to open the manufacturer's app each time you want to print, rather than using the Print button built into other apps. But if your printer is older or does not support AirPrint, this is often the most reliable method.

Printing over the internet when you are away from home

If you want to print to your home printer while you are somewhere else, you have two main options. The first is to use the manufacturer's cloud printing service. HP calls theirs HP ePrint, Canon calls theirs Canon Cloud, and Epson calls theirs Epson Connect. These services let you send documents to your printer over the internet, as long as the printer is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi at home.

The second option is Google Cloud Print, though Google has announced it will shut down this service. If you currently use it, you should switch to your printer manufacturer's service before that happens. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to see which cloud service it supports and how to set it up.

Both methods require you to create an account with the manufacturer and register your printer. The setup takes about ten minutes the first time, but after that, printing from anywhere is as straightforward as selecting your printer from the app.

Using a USB adapter if wireless does not work

If your printer does not support wireless printing and you cannot get the manufacturer's app to work, you can connect your iPad directly to the printer using a USB adapter. You will need a USB-C to USB adapter (if you have a newer iPad) or a Lightning to USB adapter (if you have an older iPad), plus a USB cable that fits your printer.

Plug the adapter into your iPad, connect the USB cable to the adapter and to the printer, then open the document you want to print. Tap the share button, select Print, and your printer should appear in the list. This method is slower and less convenient than wireless printing, but it works with almost any printer that has a USB port.

The adapters cost between ten and twenty dollars and are sold at most electronics retailers. This is a good backup option if you have an older printer that does not support wireless printing and the manufacturer's app is not available.

Troubleshooting when nothing appears in the Print menu

If you have tried everything above and still cannot see your printer, start with the basics. Make sure your iPad is on the same Wi-Fi network as your printer by checking Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPad. The network name should match what you see on your printer's display or in its settings.

Restart both devices: turn off your iPad and your printer, wait thirty seconds, then turn them back on. After they restart, try printing again. Restarting clears temporary connection problems that often block printing.

If the printer still does not appear, check whether your printer is actually connected to Wi-Fi. Some printers have a light or icon on the front that shows Wi-Fi status. If it is off or red, your printer is not connected. Check your printer's manual for how to connect it to Wi-Fi — this usually involves pressing a button on the printer and selecting your network name from its built-in screen.

If you have done all of this and printing still does not work, the printer may be too old to support wireless printing, or there may be a hardware problem. At that point, the USB adapter method is your most reliable option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install a driver on my iPad to print?

No. iPads do not use drivers the way computers do. As long as your printer supports AirPrint or you use the manufacturer's app, the iPad handles everything automatically. This is one reason iPad printing is simpler than printing from a Windows or Mac computer.

Can I print from any app on my iPad?

Yes, if you use AirPrint. Any app that has a share button or print option will show your printer in the Print menu. If you use the manufacturer's app instead, you may only be able to print from that specific app, depending on how the app is designed.

Why does my printer appear in the list but nothing prints?

The printer is connected but something is blocking the actual print job. Check that the printer has paper and is not showing an error message on its screen. If it looks fine, restart the printer and try again. If it still does not work, restart your iPad as well. If the problem continues, unplug the printer for one minute, plug it back in, and try once more.

Can I print to a printer that is not on my Wi-Fi network?

Not directly. Your iPad and printer must be on the same network to communicate. If you are at someone else's house or a coffee shop, you can connect to their Wi-Fi and print to their printer if they have one. If you want to print to your home printer from far away, use your printer manufacturer's cloud printing service instead.

What if my printer is very old and does not have Wi-Fi?

Use a USB adapter to connect your iPad directly to the printer with a cable. This works with almost any printer that has a USB port, regardless of age. You will need the correct adapter for your iPad model and a USB cable that fits your printer.