If you are one of the many people who use their iPhone all the time to do your work, the chances are that you have heard of AirPrint and how convenient it is for wireless printing.
Even though Apple introduced AirPrint ten years ago, many printers still do not support it, and this may be a worry if you’re about to make a big purchase on a premium printer. But there’s no need for concern because you can still print from your iPhone using some third-party applications.
Over the next few minutes, we’ll show you how to print from your iPhone without AirPrint on Brother, HP, and Canon printers.
What is AirPrint, and how does it work?
AirPrint is a technological feature that allows Apple devices, such as iPhone (model 3GS or later), third-generation iPod, iPad, and Mac, to print wirelessly from a set of compatible printers without the need to install or download extra software or drivers. AirPrint will work on any of Apple’s iOS operating systems from version 4.2 onwards.
However, Apple advises that it would be best to upgrade your device to the latest iOS version for optimum performance. Some in-built applications from your devices where you can print wirelessly include Safari, iWork, Mail, Photos, Notes, and iBook. Some external apps also support this feature.
If you want to use AirPrint, you have to make sure that both the printer and Apple devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Next, you take your Apple device and select the print option from any of the in-built programs. You will see a list of printers that are compatible with AirPrint in your local network. Select your printer and watch it get to work!
AirPrint is very useful to many Apple users. However, it has many limitations. The first one is that it is limited to just Apple devices; therefore, you cannot print from an Android device using it. Another limitation is that many printers still do not support AirPrint.
The main reason is that these printers are older generations, manufactured before AirPrint was introduced in 2010. Thankfully, third-party applications such as Brother iPrint & Scan, HP Smart, and Canon PRINT apps are excellent alternatives to AirPrint to print from your iPhone.
Using Brother Printer
Brother printers are versatile and reliable, and many of them are compatible with AirPrint. It has a free app that allows you to print and scan documents from your iPhone and other iOS devices.
The app performs a range of functions, such as allowing you to print photos, PDFs, and images from your iPhone and automatically search for devices on your local wireless network. Also, having a print remote function allows you to print from anywhere.
Newer models also have advanced functions that allow you to edit previewed images, send and receive faxes from your iPhone, and view how the machine is performing and its ink or toner status. What’s more, you do not need to have a computer or drive to use this application.
Follow these steps to print using your iPhone:
- Install the Brother iPrint & Scan Application: You must download and install the Brother iPrint and Scan application onto your iPhone. The latest versions are available for free on the Apple App Store.
- Configure Network Settings: You have to ensure that your mobile network is connected to your Brother machine using Wi-Fi.
- Select the Brother iPrint and Scan application on your iPhone.
- If you are printing PDF documents, select the document that you want to print, and a preview of the checked document’s pages will be displayed. Uncheck the ones you do not need to print. Tap on “Done” and confirm the pages on your preview screen.
- Select the “Print Settings” icon and select your machine.
- Tap “Print”.
The Brother iPrint and Scan manual contains more knowledge on printing photos and other documents from your iOS device.
Using HP printer
HP has been manufacturing printers for over 30 years, and to keep up with the digital age, it created HP Smart. It is a free multipurpose application that enables you to set up, print, Scan, purchase supplies, and manage your HP printer, all from your iPhone and other Apple devices.
You can also use the app to share files directly with your friends, family, and coworkers right after scanning or printing and to perform maintenance checks. What’s more, you can enhance your photos with editing tools such as filters, the crop tool, and other adjustments such as saturation and brightness before printing out. The HP Smart app requires that your iPhone is updated to version 12.0 or later.
To print, do these steps:
- Download it from the Apple Store, then find and start up your HP Smart App.
- From the menu, select “Print Documents” or “Print Photos,” or you can choose it directly from your phone or social media account if your phone supports that function.
- Find the file location and select to print.
- Click on “Print”.
Refer to the HP Smart manual for further guidance.
Using Canon Printer
Modern Canon printers are manufactured with mobile printing in mind. The Canon PRINT Service is free application software that links your iPhone to your Canon printer. Through this connection, you will be able to print, copy, and scan from your phone, remotely check on your printer’s performance and status, and store relevant data in the cloud.
You can print documents from cloud-based services like Gmail and Google Docs. Furthermore, you can easily print photos from your social media accounts, such as Facebook and Instagram, right from your iPhone. This application can be used with most Wi-Fi printers and is compatible with iOS 11.0 onwards.
To print:
- Download the Canon PRINT app from the Apple Store.
- Open the document you would like to print out.
- Tap the first icon with the arrow at the bottom of the screen.
- Select “Print”.
Check out the Canon PRINT manual for more information and tips.
Now you know how to print from your iPhone without AirPrint, thanks to third-party printing apps. They make modern printing easier to manage and perform. Remember to check out these useful apps to see if they are compatible with your current printer.
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