AirPrint makes wireless printing from an iPhone simple but not every printer supports this feature. Fortunately, there are still several effective ways to print directly from your iPhone even if your printer is not AirPrint enabled. With the help of printer apps cloud services or a desktop computer you can easily send photos documents or emails to a non-AirPrint printer from your mobile device.
This guide will explain how to print from an iPhone when AirPrint is not available. We will look at the most practical alternatives including manufacturer apps cloud printing options and computer-based workarounds.
Why Your Printer May Not Support AirPrint
AirPrint is a feature developed by Apple to enable easy wireless printing. It allows iPhones iPads and Macs to communicate directly with compatible printers over Wi-Fi. However many older printers or basic models do not include AirPrint support. If your printer is not listed under Apple’s compatible devices it does not mean you cannot print from your iPhone. It simply means you need to use a different method to send the print job.
Use Your Printer’s Mobile App
Many leading printer brands such as HP Canon Epson and Brother offer their own mobile printing apps. These apps are available to download for free from the App Store. Once installed the app can detect compatible printers on your Wi-Fi network even if they do not support AirPrint.
For example HP’s Smart app Epson’s iPrint Canon PRINT or Brother iPrint&Scan allow you to print photos documents PDFs and even web pages directly from your iPhone. These apps often offer more settings and control than AirPrint itself including the ability to choose paper size change orientation and adjust quality.
To use this method ensure both your iPhone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the manufacturer’s app select the file you want to print then choose your printer and tap Print. The process is quick and user friendly with most apps also supporting scanning and printer maintenance features.
Use Email to Print
Some printers offer an email-to-print service. This gives your printer a unique email address so that anything sent to it will be printed automatically. Services like HP ePrint or Epson Email Print allow you to send an email with attachments from your iPhone to your printer from anywhere.
To use this feature you will need to set up the service through your printer’s software or online account portal. Once the email address is active you can simply forward documents or images from your iPhone to that address and your printer will handle the rest.
This option is especially useful when you are away from home or need someone else to print something on your behalf.
Print via a Shared Computer
If your printer is connected to a Windows PC or Mac you can print from your iPhone by routing through that computer. This process involves using a third-party app or software that acts as a print server. One popular option is Printer Pro by Readdle. It installs both on your iPhone and on the host computer and allows your phone to communicate with the printer via the desktop connection.
Another method is using Google Cloud Print but it has been discontinued by Google so it is no longer a recommended solution.
To print using your computer you must ensure your phone and computer are on the same network. You can then use the app to access and manage print jobs as if the printer were directly connected to the iPhone.
Use a USB Connection with an Adapter
If you have a printer that connects via USB you may be able to use a Lightning-to-USB adapter to connect your iPhone directly to the printer. This method is more technical and depends on whether your printer supports direct USB printing from mobile devices. Apple’s Lightning to USB Camera Adapter or the newer USB-C variants can be used to connect supported printers.
However this method has limited compatibility and may not work with all printer models. You may also need to install specific drivers or use third-party apps to manage the print job. It is best to consult your printer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for guidance.
Saving to PDF for Later Printing
Another workaround is to save your file as a PDF and then transfer it to a computer for printing. On your iPhone you can open a document or photo then select the Share icon and choose Save to Files. From there the file can be uploaded to iCloud Drive Dropbox or Google Drive.
Once the file is accessible on a computer connected to a printer you can open and print it as usual. This option is especially useful for important documents where layout and formatting need to be preserved.
Final Thoughts
You do not need an AirPrint enabled printer to print from your iPhone. Manufacturer apps USB adapters email services and shared computers all offer reliable alternatives. Each method varies in setup and features but they all allow you to print documents and images without needing to change your existing printer. With a little preparation you can enjoy full printing functionality straight from your iPhone regardless of AirPrint support.