Printing from iDevice to a Network Printer

[JoltinJoe]

I have an HP Photosmart C4200 series printer that is plugged into my Airport Extreme. As I'm sure you all know, this allows me to print wirelessly from my Macbook.

However, this is not also the case for my iPad. I know there are certain printers that are WiFi enabled or specifically sold as AirPrint printers, but is there an alternative to print to a network printer (as I have set up) from an iDevice without jailbreaking?

Thanks!

 

[swordfish5736]

There's a program you can download Called AirPrint activator on your Mac.

if your MacBook is off it wouldn't work. Not sure if it'll work while the machine is asleep though

 

[JoltinJoe]

There's a program you can download Called AirPrint activator on your Mac.

if your MacBook is off it wouldn't work. Not sure if it'll work while the machine is asleep though

This works pretty well. I'd rather not have to rely on my Mac being on. Any other alternatives?

 

[swordfish5736]

This works pretty well. I'd rather not have to rely on my Mac being on. Any other alternatives?

Not That I know of aside from getting an AirPrint capable printer.

 

[anthonymoody]

Not That I know of aside from getting an AirPrint capable printer.

Other than the solutions already suggested, there are an increasing number of printer models which have their own dedicated email address. Email them an attachment and they print. Kind of cool, though obv this too requires you to get a new printer.

I use one of the hacktivator bits installed on my household iMac.

Related: there's an amazing app called VueScan which allows you to use a network scanner directly on the iPad. It removed one of the last personal hurdles I faced to use my iPad pretty much exclusively (see my signature).

 

[JoltinJoe]

Related: there's an amazing app called VueScan which allows you to use a network scanner directly on the iPad. It removed one of the last personal hurdles I faced to use my iPad pretty much exclusively (see my signature).

That's pretty cool. Is it just a camera app that is for documents?

The same printer that I have is a scanner as well, but the scan function doesn't work with the Airport Extreme. I don't know why, seems like it's not a far stretch after being able to print wirelessly.

 

[anthonymoody]

That's pretty cool. Is it just a camera app that is for documents?

The same printer that I have is a scanner as well, but the scan function doesn't work with the Airport Extreme. I don't know why, seems like it's not a far stretch after being able to print wirelessly.

No it's a proper scanning client. What's cool too is that there is a free version you can use to test whether your scanner works with it. If it does you can buy the more full features version with confidence.

Note I have no connection with the app or developer beyond being a super happy customer.

Oh. And as long as its a network scanner no computer need be on.

 

[Macsterguy]

Though not free ($20) the best app for this is Printopia: http://www.ecamm.com/mac/printopia/

 

[swordfish5736]

Other than the solutions already suggested, there are an increasing number of printer models which have their own dedicated email address. Email them an attachment and they print. Kind of cool, though obv this too requires you to get a new printer.

I use one of the hacktivator bits installed on my household iMac.

Related: there's an amazing app called VueScan which allows you to use a network scanner directly on the iPad. It removed one of the last personal hurdles I faced to use my iPad pretty much exclusively (see my signature).

Well yea but if you are going to get a networked printer mine as well get one that's AirPrint.

I run the activator on my iMac as well. I'm somewhat surprised HP doesn't have a scanner app in the app store yet for there air print capable models. Hell one of them has a removable webos tablet somewhat overboard.

 

[Macman45]

I used to fiddle around with various apps like PrintNshare etc. Some worked some of the time, others didn't work at all, spitting out sheet after sheet of garbage. In the end, I bought a fully AirPrint compatible injket...(an Epson 535W) plug into the power, enter your network address and password, and it prints from any of my Macs and Idevices.

As mentioned above it also has it's own email address, so can be printed on remotely...Fun for a while until my buddy and I got bored waking each other up in the small hours by printing out cartoons on each others machines.

Bottom line is, get hold of a fully AirPrint wifi machine...The Epson is just one of many....No cables except for power.

 

[takeshi74]

is there an alternative to print to a network printer (as I have set up) from an iDevice without jailbreaking?

Your options are:

• Printing app on your IOS device (each device would need the app if you have more than one)
• Airprint solution running on a Mac or PC
• Airprint print server like the Lantronix xPrintServer
• Airprint printer

Each option, of course, has its pros and cons.

 

[class77]

+1 for Printopia...You install it on the Mac, not on your iOS device, so you can use it on many devices

 

[adam044]

I have a similar question but dont want to make a new thread so here is it. I have the same printer as the OP. the printer is hooked up to my windows desktop, I can print to the printer from my macbook as its on the same network, is there Any way I can get it so I can print from my iphone/ipad

 

[anthonymoody]

Well yea but if you are going to get a networked printer mine as well get one that's AirPrint.
.

In general I agree except that obviously there are an order of magnitude more models to choose from if you don't limit yourself to AirPrint capable. I get that the list is growing, it's still just relatively small. If you have your heart set on another, I wouldn't hesitate.