To connect your iPad to your printer wirelessly, **use Apple’s AirPrint feature**, which allows direct wireless printing from iPads to AirPrint-compatible printers on the same Wi-Fi network.
Here is how to do it step-by-step:
1. **Confirm your printer supports AirPrint** (check Apple’s list or your printer manufacturer’s website). If your printer is not AirPrint-compatible, you may need additional software or hardware solutions (see more below).
2. **Connect both your iPad and your printer to the same Wi-Fi network.** You can usually connect the printer to Wi-Fi via its onboard controls or setup app.
3. On your iPad, **open the app containing the document or photo you want to print.**
4. Tap the **Share** button (a box with an arrow pointing up), then scroll to find and tap **Print**.
5. Tap **Select Printer** and choose your AirPrint-enabled printer from the list.
6. Select print options (number of copies, pages, etc.) and tap **Print** in the upper-right corner.
You can view or cancel print jobs via the iPad App Switcher and Print Center if needed[4][1][2].
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**If your printer does not support AirPrint or Wi-Fi**, your options are:
– Use a computer connected to the printer via USB to share the printer on your network and install software that enables AirPrint emulation, like Readdle Printer Pro Desktop.
– Use an AirPrint print server device connected to the printer’s network.
However, these are more complex and may cost more than buying a modern AirPrint-capable printer[3].
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In summary:
| Scenario | How to connect and print wirelessly |
|——————————|———————————————————————|
| Printer supports AirPrint | Connect printer + iPad to same Wi-Fi, print directly from iPad app |
| Printer supports Wi-Fi only | Connect both to same Wi-Fi, use printer’s app or AirPrint if supported |
| Printer has neither Wi-Fi nor AirPrint | Use PC + AirPrint helper app or print server hardware |
This is the most straightforward and reliable wireless printing method from your iPad[4][1][2][3].