How to Set Up AirPrint with iOS 4.2 on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

By on Nov 24, 2010 at 3:11 pm

While Apple has added wireless printing via AirPrint to the the latest 4.2 iOS update, the AirPrint compatibility with devices in the marketplace is limited and you may soon find that AirPrint is another feature to hit the iPhone that is pretty worthless to the general public. However, there are a couple work arounds to get you printing.

So what is AirPrint? It is a free software update packaged with Apple’s iOS 4.2 update that enables wireless printing of e-mail, photos, web content, notes and more from within your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

Unfortunately AirPrint requires an AirPrint compatible printer with “ePrint” enabled, essentially an email address tied to the printer to send your documents through. To date, HP and Apple have teamed together to offer AirPrint e-print machines, some built in and others requiring a simple firmware upgrade. Below is a list of compatible printers from HP:

Compatible with Apple iOS 4.2 and no firmware upgrade needed:
- Photosmart e-AiO (D110) (Americas)
- Photosmart Wireless e-AiO (B110) (EU, AP)
- Photosmart Plus e-AiO (B210)
- Photosmart Premium e-AiO (B310)
- Photosmart Premium Fax e-AiO (C410)
- HP ENVY100 e-AiO (D410)
- Photosmart eStation (C510)

May require a firmware upgrade:
- LaserJet Pro M1536dnf Multifunction Printer (www.hp.com/go/airprint/M1536)
- LaserJet Pro CM1415fn Color Multifunction Printer (www.hp.com/go/airprint/CM1415)
- LaserJet Pro CM1415fnw Color Multifunction Printer (www.hp.com/go/airprint/CM1415)
- LaserJet Pro CP1525n Color Printer (www.hp.com/go/airprint/CP1525)
- LaserJet Pro CP1525nw Color Printer (www.hp.com/go/airprint/CP1525)

Require a firmware upgrade available December 27:
- Officejet 6500A e-AiO
- Officejet 6500A Plus e-AiO
- Officejet 7500A Wide Format e-AiO
- Officejet Pro 8500A e-AiO
- Officejet Pro 8500A Plus e-AiO
- Officejet Pro 8500A Premium e-AiO

For more information visit HP’s AirPrint page.

Now it is possible to set up your own AirPrint with some software from Printopia and a little magic. Luckily TUAW has documented this long process.

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Filed: Business • Featured • How To • iPad • iPhone • Utilities
  • Frank

    Once again Apple falls short on software design. They should just stick to cool hardware devices!

    • Johnsonb

      you have got to be kidding,, falls short on software! their software is what makes their hardware top dog! everything JUST WORKS. no if you expect it to work, from day one, with every printer made, you must be delusional,, with that mindset, why don’t we wish all printers used the same ink refill…!

    • Dysharn

      obvs they cant bring everything out at once if they did, then ppl wudnt have nothing to look forward 2

  • Becky

    Frustrating! I just purchased an Epson wireless printer a couple of months ago and was hoping I could use it with my iPad once the new OS was released. Oh Well, I’ll just use my Windows laptop to print from.

    • Hasmdpa

      I purchased 2 Epson printers from Apple along with an ipad and Macbook. I was told printing for the ipad would come soon. Unfortunately, another half-truth from Apple.

    • redd

      Use Print Bureau and connect your wifi printer to your network. you wont be able to click right in safari to print but you will be able to open it up in Print Bureau and print

    • Lukehehla

      You can Print with epson just download printjinni From AppStore I just printed docs today.

  • Anonymous

    Unbelievably easy and works like a charm. Leaves me to wonder why Apple handcuffed the app so severely … even my Brother AIO (which often is my least “Apple friendly” printer) worked like a charm! (Best 35 seconds I have spent all day!)

    • Imagepro

      How!!!!!!!?

      • Anonymous

        Oops — thought I had commented on a different page! I followed the link to TUAW, there I figured out that Netputing’s Airprint Hacktivator fit my needs (one of several solutions there), downloaded and installed it … and per the instructions simply reloaded my printers, and now it works beautifully — even on some very OLD printers!

    • Music4f33

      It is great that it works for you. A lot of us would appreciate more detail on how you set this up. I have a Dell printer with a wireless card and I would like to use it to print. I tried connecting it to my Timecapsule with build in print server but I could not get it to work that way. John

  • Nance0924

    Great more money to lay out….even the apps don’t work.

  • Bpdisappointed

    Seems to me that Apples new AirPrint feature should work with any printer connected to an Apple AirPort / Airport Express. Disappointed yet again.

  • David

    I bought a MAC Pro earlier this year and got a Canon printer at the same time. Both purchased at the Apple store. The ugly and superior attitude is once again beginning to surface once again with selecting one manufacture to have the AirPrint compatibility rather than a universal approach for ALL printers. Very disappointed.

  • Nelsonblp

    Not a surprise from Apple, another let down

  • Guest

    just like politics, apple should be willing to only release quality, even if it means staying in the minority. very disappointing move, apple

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Sunderland/719123784 Scott Sunderland

    So, it is a worthless feature unless I buy a new printer? Awesome!!

  • A B

    This article is called “how to set up AirPrint…”. But there is nothing in this artls that tells you how

    • FrancoisSalsa

      You need to update both iPhone and the compatible printer then if tour iPhone does not see the printer. Give a dns name to the printer in your internet box/router

  • Bmiller464

    Just loaded ios 4.2 on my iphone 3gs, where’s the AirPrint icon?

  • Sharron

    I’m not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to computers, etc. But is anyone else having trouble finding out how to setup airprint on the ipad or is it just me. Can anyone help??????

  • Bigozpete

    Thanks Apple. Once again all hype and no delivery.

  • Imagepro

    I have been a Apple fan for years, but I am getting very aggravated and disappointed with there misleading clams. Now I have to buy a new HP printer so I can use the new print feature on my iPhone. I suggest not upgrading your phone and using an app called Print Magic. This app works great with any printer. Apple. You really need to stop disappointing you fans. Mark Wilkins South Carolina.

  • Hal9000mx

    I want to print from my iOS 4.2.1 devices to my both Samsung Color and B&W Laser Printers. Please Apple, make this magic possible.

  • Lldkjgf

    I really don´t get the complaints.. I have an epson tx105, it’s really an old printer, and AirPrint works, just works select a pic, document, print select the printer and it’s done.

    • Jweiojdf89

      and I dont even own an airport or a mac, just my windows 7 pc and connectify, not even a real wifi router, you people got to be kidding or are real retards and dont know how to share your printer or even plug it to the pc… ñññññññña

  • Ted

    Where’s the how ??? Loaded os4.2 and see nothing. Great job by Apple (sarcasm) At least MSFT, as much as I hate them, provides instructions which sometimes work

  • Aidanjbnaine

    i dont get it from Galaxy Men

  • Sittib1

    I have a great HP 4700 printer, but not listed in the above models, works great as  wireless throughout our house, but now have brand new ipad and can’t use?!?!!!   How can I get around this?  

  • Hdahdahxdrhhe

    Arg why?!

  • Abbyyergler

    i have a ipod touch 4th generation and i dont know what type of printer it is but i cant print

  • Lisa Michael-Hall

    its a bigger list of airprint enabled printers now which is still expanding, but can always try various printing apps like print n share

  • Imagepro

    Ass.

  • Big poppa

    Every printer? No but how about 25 percent? This is about 15 printers out of forty thousand out right now. Nice brand isolation and slim line prowess on the compatihbility, I have printers that are over 5k dollars a piece at my office that can not use this shit upgrade. Oh well, back to the blackberry playbook when it comes out.

  • Sga6767

    I agree with Frank….nothing works on a Mac unless it is on hardware that Mac have authorised, usually at an exorbitant licensing fee that ultimately we all pay for….while we all fill the Mac coffers

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FEARGTLDHCCTWRNO45KYB65WW4 Jay Emm

    How’d that move back to the Blackberry Playbook work out?