Printing an email from an iPad is quick and simple once you know where to look. Whether you need a hard copy for work, travel, or personal use, your iPad makes it easy to connect wirelessly to a printer and get the job done. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to print an email from your iPad using Apple’s built-in tools, along with tips for troubleshooting and improving print results.
Check Printer Compatibility
Before printing from your iPad, make sure your printer supports AirPrint. AirPrint is Apple’s wireless printing technology that allows you to print without installing extra software. Most modern printers from brands like HP, Canon, Epson and Brother support AirPrint out of the box.
To check if your printer is compatible, look for the AirPrint logo on the packaging or check the printer’s manual. You should also ensure your iPad and the printer are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
If your printer does not support AirPrint, you may still be able to print using the manufacturer’s own app. These include apps like HP Smart, Canon PRINT or Epson iPrint which are free to download from the App Store.
Open the Email You Want to Print
To begin, open the Mail app on your iPad and locate the email you want to print. Tap on the message to open it fully. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Reply arrow icon. From the list of options that appears, select Print.
This will open the iPad’s print dialogue screen. If you do not see the Print option, make sure the Mail app is updated and that you are not using a third-party email app that may not support native printing.
Choose the Right Printer
Once the print dialogue appears, tap Printer to search for available AirPrint-enabled printers. Your iPad will scan for devices on the same Wi-Fi network. When your printer appears in the list, tap to select it.
If your printer does not appear, check that it is powered on, connected to Wi-Fi and within range of your iPad. You may also need to restart the printer and the iPad if they are not communicating properly.
Adjust Print Settings
After selecting your printer, you can customise settings such as the number of copies or which pages to print. Some emails may be several pages long depending on their formatting, so check the preview to avoid printing unnecessary content.
Other available options include double-sided printing and paper size, although these will depend on your specific printer’s capabilities.
Once you have confirmed the settings, tap Print in the top right corner of the screen. Your iPad will send the job wirelessly to the printer and the document should begin printing shortly.
Using a Manufacturer’s App
If your printer does not support AirPrint, download the relevant printing app from the App Store. Open the app and follow the instructions to connect your printer to your iPad. You may need to allow access to your email or save the email as a PDF first, then open it within the app to print.
For example, if you use the HP Smart app, you can save the email to Files or Photos, then print from within the app using those files.
Saving an Email as a PDF Before Printing
If you want to print an email later or share it as a file, you can save it as a PDF. From the same Reply menu in the Mail app, choose Print. On the print preview screen, use two fingers to pinch outwards on the preview image. This opens the PDF version of the email.
Tap the Share icon in the top right and choose Save to Files. From there, you can store the email and print it later from any app that supports PDF files.
Troubleshooting Print Issues
If your email does not print, double-check your printer’s connection and confirm that your iPad is on the same network. Restart both devices and try again. You should also make sure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS and that your printer firmware is up to date.
If you still cannot print, try printing a different email or document to isolate the problem. Some HTML-heavy emails or marketing newsletters may not print correctly due to formatting issues. In these cases, try copying the email content into a word processor or note-taking app before printing.
Final Thoughts
Printing emails from your iPad is a convenient feature that saves time and avoids the need to move files between devices. Whether you are printing travel confirmations, invoices, or work-related messages, using AirPrint or a dedicated app makes the process smooth and reliable. With the right setup, your iPad can serve as a powerful tool for managing both digital and printed communication.