How to Print from an iPad in Australia
Printing from an iPad feels like it should be complicated, since there are no cables to plug in. In fact it is usually simpler than printing from a computer. Most printers sold in the last several years can receive a print job straight from an iPad over your home Wi-Fi, with nothing extra to set up.
Whether it is a boarding pass, a form for the doctor, or a photo of the grandchildren, here is how to get it onto paper. For the wider view, our guide to the best tablets for seniors in Australia compares the main options.
Quick answer
Open what you want to print, tap the Share button (a square with an arrow pointing up), then tap Print. Choose your printer from the list and tap Print again. The only requirements are that your printer is switched on and connected to the same Wi-Fi as the iPad, and that it supports AirPrint, which almost all recent printers do.
Step by step: print from your iPad
1. Open what you want to print
Open the photo, email, web page or document on your iPad. This works from almost any app, whether it is Photos, Safari, Mail, or a document you have been sent.
2. Tap the Share button
Look for the Share button, which is a small square with an arrow pointing upwards out of it. It is usually at the top or bottom of the screen. Tap it, and a menu of options slides up.
3. Tap Print
Scroll down that menu until you see Print, and tap it. If you cannot find it straight away, it is usually near the bottom, past the row of apps.
4. Choose your printer and print
Tap where it says Printer and select yours from the list. You can choose how many copies you want, and for a document you can pick which pages. When you are ready, tap Print in the corner, and the pages should start coming out. The iPad will remember your printer next time, so it gets quicker after the first go.
If your printer does not show up
If no printer appears in the list, work through these in order. Most of the time it is the first one.
- Check the printer is turned on and not showing an error or out of paper.
- Make sure the iPad and the printer are on the same home Wi-Fi network. This is the most common reason a printer does not appear.
- If the printer is older and does not support AirPrint, download the maker’s free app from the App Store, such as HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel, or Brother Mobile Connect, and print through that instead.
- Still stuck? Turning the printer off and on again, and doing the same with your Wi-Fi router, clears most hiccups.
If you do not have a printer at home, you do not necessarily need one. Many public libraries let you print for a small charge, and a print shop or stationery shop can help with the occasional document. If you also print from a computer, our guide on how to connect a printer to a laptop may come in handy too.
The short version
- Share button, then Print, then choose your printer.
- The iPad and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi.
- No printer showing? It is nearly always the Wi-Fi, or an older printer that needs its own app.
- No printer at all? Your local library or a print shop can help.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: printing from an iPad
Do I need a cable to print from an iPad?
No. The iPad prints over Wi-Fi, so there is no cable to connect. The printer just needs to be on the same home network.
What is AirPrint?
It is Apple’s built-in printing feature. If your printer supports AirPrint, and most recent ones do, it simply appears in the print list with nothing to install.
My printer is not in the list. What now?
Check it is on and on the same Wi-Fi as the iPad, which fixes most cases. If it is an older printer, download the maker’s app from the App Store and print through that.
Can I print a photo, not just documents?
Yes. Open the photo in the Photos app, tap the Share button, then Print. You can choose the size and number of copies before printing.
Can I print if I do not own a printer?
Yes. Many libraries offer printing for a small fee, and print or stationery shops can help with the occasional page, so a printer at home is not essential.
