How to Print From an iPad: AirPrint, HP, Canon, Epson & Brother (Plus Fixes)

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Published September 30, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

To print from an iPad, make sure your printer supports AirPrint and is on the same Wi-Fi network as the iPad. Then open what you want to print, tap the Share button (the square with an up arrow) or the … (More) menu, and choose Print. Tap Printer to pick your printer, set copies and pages, and tap Print. No app or driver is needed. If your printer doesn't support AirPrint, use the maker's free app: HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel, or Brother Mobile Connect.

Apple's official steps are in Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone or iPad. Below is the full walkthrough, plus what to do when the printer doesn't show up.

Before you start: 3 things to check

  1. Does your printer support AirPrint? Nearly every wireless HP, Canon, Epson and Brother printer made in the last decade does. Look for "AirPrint" or "Works with Apple AirPrint" on the box or spec sheet, or see Apple's AirPrint overview.
  2. Is the printer on Wi-Fi? Print a network configuration page from the printer's menu. It should show "Connected" and your network name. If it isn't connected, follow How to connect a printer to Wi-Fi.
  3. Are both on the same network? The iPad and printer must be on the same router. Watch out for guest networks, and for mesh or dual-band routers that put devices on separate networks.

How to print from an iPad with AirPrint (step by step)

  1. Open the document, photo, web page, or email you want to print.
  2. Tap the Share icon. In Safari it's at the top of the screen. In Photos and Files it's at the top or bottom. In Mail, tap the Reply arrow, then scroll down.
  3. Scroll down the share sheet and tap Print. If you don't see it, the app may hide it under … or it may not support printing.
  4. Tap Printer and choose your printer from the list.
  5. Set Copies, Range (which pages), Double-sided, Color or Black & White, and paper size if your printer offers them.
  6. Tap Print in the top-right corner.

Tip: pinch outward on the page preview to see a full-screen preview before you print.

How to print specific things from an iPad

What you're printing Where to find Print Notes
Photos Photos → select photo(s) → Share → Print Choose paper size (4x6, 5x7, Letter). Load photo paper glossy side correctly. See how to print lab-quality photos at home.
PDFs and files Files → open the file → Share → Print Stuck PDFs: see how to print a PDF.
Web pages Safari → Share → Print Tap the "aA" icon and turn on Reader first to strip out ads.
Email Mail → Reply arrow → Print Attachments print separately. Open the attachment, then Share → Print.
Google Docs Docs app → … → Share & export → Print See how to print from Google Docs.
Text messages Screenshot or share to a PDF See how to print text messages.
Labels and envelopes Pages or Word → … → Print See labels and envelopes.

How to print from an iPad to an HP, Canon, Epson or Brother printer

AirPrint works with all four brands, but each maker's app adds extras like scanning, ink levels, and setup help.

HP printers (HP Smart app)

  1. Install HP Smart from the App Store and sign in.
  2. Tap + to add your printer. HP Smart can also move a new printer onto Wi-Fi.
  3. Use Print Photos or Print Documents, or keep using the regular AirPrint share sheet.

Heads-up: HP Smart requires an HP account, and HP+ printers must stay online and only accept Original HP ink. If you use compatible cartridges, see firmware updates and third-party ink. Wi-Fi trouble? See HP printer not connecting to Wi-Fi.

Canon printers (Canon PRINT app)

Install Canon PRINT and register your PIXMA or MAXIFY printer. The app handles photo layouts, scanning to the iPad, and cloud printing. AirPrint works without it.

Epson printers (Epson Smart Panel app)

Epson Smart Panel sets up the printer, shows EcoTank ink levels, and prints and scans. AirPrint works without it.

Brother printers (Brother Mobile Connect app)

Brother Mobile Connect replaced the older iPrint&Scan app on most current models. It's used for setup, printing, scanning, and supply levels.

How to print from an iPad without AirPrint

  • Use the manufacturer's app. Many older wireless printers that predate AirPrint still work with HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel or Brother apps.
  • Use Wi-Fi Direct. Many printers broadcast their own network (for example "DIRECT-xx-HP…"). Join it in Settings → Wi-Fi on the iPad and print directly. This is handy when there's no router.
  • Email to print. Many HP printers have an email address (HP ePrint), and some Epson models do too (Epson Connect). Email the file to the printer's address. Check your printer's setup page.
  • Print through a computer. Save the file to iCloud Drive, open it on a Mac or PC with the printer installed, and print. On a Mac, a USB printer can also be shared to the network. See how to add a printer to a Mac.
  • USB cable? iPads don't include general USB printer drivers, so plugging a USB-only printer into an iPad usually won't work. Wi-Fi or a newer printer is the practical fix.

iPad can't find the printer? Fixes in order

  1. Restart all three: iPad, printer, and Wi-Fi router, in that order (router last to come back up, then the printer).
  2. Confirm the same network, not a guest or 5 GHz-only network the printer can't see. Many printers only connect to 2.4 GHz.
  3. Move closer to the router to rule out a weak signal.
  4. Check the printer isn't offline or asleep. See how to find your printer's IP address to confirm it's on the network.
  5. Update iPadOS and the printer's firmware.
  6. Turn off VPN or Private Relay temporarily. Some VPNs block local-network discovery.
  7. Still stuck? Work through AirPrint not working: full fix guide and Apple's connect an AirPrint printer to Wi-Fi.

How to see or cancel a print job on iPad

While a job is printing, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to open the App Switcher, then tap Print Center. From there you can see the queue or tap Cancel Printing. Print Center only appears while a job is active. If a job is stuck on the printer side, see how to cancel a print job.

Common questions

Do I need to install a driver to print from an iPad?

No. AirPrint is built into iPadOS, so compatible printers work with no driver or app.

Can I print from an iPad in black and white only?

Yes, if the printer supports it. A Black & White toggle appears in the print options. If it doesn't, use the printer maker's app, which usually has a grayscale setting.

Can I print double-sided from an iPad?

Yes, on printers with automatic duplexing. Turn on Double-sided in the print options. More: How to print double-sided.

Why does my iPad say "No AirPrint printers found"?

Usually the iPad and printer are on different networks, the printer is asleep or offline, or AirPrint/Bonjour is turned off in the printer's network settings. Restart everything and confirm both devices use the same Wi-Fi.

What's the best printer for an iPad?

Any AirPrint wireless printer works. For budget picks see 10 best wireless printers, or take our 60-second PrinterIQ Finder quiz. You can also browse AirPrint printers on Amazon.

Keep your printer ready

Most "won't print" problems turn out to be an empty or dried-out cartridge. Find the right cartridge for your model in Find Ink by Printer, or shop HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother ink.

Related guides

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About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.

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