The simplest way to print from a tablet

Most tablets can print wirelessly to a printer on the same home network without any cables or extra hardware. On an iPad, open the document or photo you want to print, tap the share button (usually a square with an arrow), scroll down and tap Print, select your printer, choose how many copies you want, and tap Print again. On an Android tablet, the steps are similar: open what you want to print, tap the three-dot menu or share button, look for Print or a printer icon, select your printer, and confirm.

The printer must be turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your tablet. If your printer is older or doesn't have Wi-Fi, you'll need to use one of the other methods described below. If you've never set up your printer on your tablet before, your device should find it automatically when you tap Print — if it doesn't appear in the list, check that both devices are on the same network and that the printer is powered on.

Key Takeaways

  • Most tablets print wirelessly to Wi-Fi printers without any setup beyond making sure both devices are on the same network.
  • If your printer is older or doesn't have Wi-Fi, you can use a USB adapter, a print server, or cloud printing services like Google Cloud Print or Apple's AirPrint.
  • Some printers require their own app from the manufacturer before they will appear in your tablet's print menu.
  • If your printer doesn't show up when you tap Print, restart both the printer and tablet, then check that they're on the same Wi-Fi network.

When your printer needs its own app

Some newer printers, especially all-in-one models from brands like HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother, require you to read the manufacturer's app before printing will work. Search your tablet's app store for your printer's brand name and model number — for example, "HP Smart" or "Canon PRINT" — and install the app. Once installed, open the app, let it find your printer on the network, and follow the setup steps.

After the app is installed and your printer is set up within it, you should be able to print from other apps on your tablet as well. Some apps will show your printer in their print menu automatically; others may require you to open the manufacturer's app first. Check your printer's manual or the app's help section if printing from other apps doesn't work right away.

Printing to an older printer without Wi-Fi

If your printer only has a USB port and no wireless capability, you have two main options. The first is to buy a USB-to-Wi-Fi print server — a small device that connects to your printer's USB port on one end and your home network on the other. Devices like the Lantronix xPrintServer or similar models cost between $50 and $150 and turn an old printer into a networked one. Once connected, your tablet will see the printer just like any Wi-Fi printer.

The second option is to use a computer as a middleman. If you have a laptop or desktop connected to the printer, you can set up cloud printing through Google Cloud Print (if you use Android) or through Apple's AirPrint (if you use an iPad). This method requires your computer to stay on and connected to the internet, but it costs nothing beyond what you already own.

Using cloud printing services

Cloud printing lets you send a document from your tablet to a printer through the internet, even if the printer isn't on your home network. Google Cloud Print works with Android tablets and any printer connected to a computer running Google Chrome. To set it up, open Chrome on your computer, go to Settings, find Devices, and select Printers. Click Add Printer, choose your printer, and confirm. After that, any Android tablet signed into the same Google account can print to it.

For iPad users, AirPrint is built in and works with any AirPrint-compatible printer on your Wi-Fi network — no setup needed. If your printer isn't AirPrint-compatible, you can use third-party apps like Printopia or Handyprint, which run on a Mac or PC and let your iPad print to any printer connected to that computer. These apps typically cost $20 to $30 as a one-time purchase.

Printing photos and documents from different apps

The print button location varies depending on which app you're using. In Apple's built-in apps like Photos, Mail, and Safari, look for the share button (a square with an arrow pointing out) and tap it, then scroll down to find Print. In Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel, tap the three-dot menu at the top right and select Print. In Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, tap the three-dot menu and choose Print.

Some apps hide the print option in different places. If you can't find it in the obvious menus, try a long press on the document or look for a settings or options menu. Many apps also let you save a document as a PDF first, then print the PDF — this is often more reliable if the app's built-in print function isn't working.

Troubleshooting when your printer doesn't appear

If you tap Print and your printer doesn't show up in the list, start by restarting both devices. Turn off your printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your tablet by powering it off and on again. Once both are back on, open the document you want to print and try again.

If the printer still doesn't appear, check that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. On your tablet, go to Settings and look at which network you're connected to. On your printer, check its display panel or print a network configuration page (usually done by holding a button on the printer itself) to see which network it's on. If they're on different networks, connect your tablet to the printer's network.

If your printer has a Wi-Fi setup button, press it to put the printer in pairing mode, then try connecting your tablet to it again. Some printers also have a reset button that clears all network settings — use this only as a last resort, as you'll need to set up the network connection from scratch afterward. If none of these steps work, check whether your printer needs its manufacturer's app installed before it will print.

When to call the printer manufacturer or your IT support

If you've restarted both devices, confirmed they're on the same network, installed any required apps, and the printer still doesn't appear, contact the printer manufacturer's support line or check their website for troubleshooting steps specific to your model. Have your printer's model number ready — it's usually on the front or back of the device.

If you're trying to print at work or school, your IT department may have set up printing differently than a home network. Ask them whether you need to install a specific app, connect to a particular network, or use a print code to release your document at the printer. Some workplace printers require you to authenticate with your username and password before printing will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print from my tablet without Wi-Fi?

Not directly to a wireless printer, but you can print through a computer on your home network using cloud printing services. You can also use a USB-to-Wi-Fi print server to connect an older USB printer to your network, or use Bluetooth if your printer supports it — though few do.

Why does my printer show up in the app but not in the print menu?

Some manufacturer apps require you to open the app first before printing from other apps will work. Try opening the printer's app, confirming the printer is connected, then closing the app and trying to print again. If that doesn't work, restart your tablet and try once more.

Can I print to a printer at someone else's house?

Only if you're on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're visiting, ask for the network name and password, connect your tablet to it, and the printer should appear in your print menu. Cloud printing services also let you print to a printer at another location if it's set up through a computer there.

What's the difference between AirPrint and Google Cloud Print?

AirPrint is built into iPad and works only with compatible printers on your home Wi-Fi network. Google Cloud Print works with Android tablets and any printer connected to a computer, and it works over the internet so the printer doesn't need to be on your home network.

Do I need to buy anything to print from my tablet?

No, if your printer is already Wi-Fi-capable and on your home network. If your printer only has a USB port, you can use a print server (costs $50–$150) or set up cloud printing through a computer you already own for free.