How to Print From Your Tablet: WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB Methods

The three ways to print from a tablet

You can print from a tablet using WiFi, Bluetooth, or a USB connection, depending on what printer you own and what tablet operating system you use. WiFi is the most common method — your tablet and printer connect to the same network, and you send the document wirelessly. Bluetooth works for printers that support it and doesn't require a network. USB requires a cable and an adapter, and works on some Android tablets but not iPads.

The method you choose depends on whether your printer is wireless-capable, whether you have the right cables or adapters on hand, and whether your tablet's operating system supports that connection type. Most modern printers sold in the last five years support WiFi printing, which is why that's usually your fastest option.

Key Takeaways

WiFi printing requires your tablet and printer on the same network and works with both iOS and Android tablets that have the right app or built-in support.
Bluetooth printing works without a network but only on printers with Bluetooth capability, which is less common than WiFi.
USB printing requires a cable, an adapter (for iPads), and works mainly on Android tablets — most iPad models cannot print via USB.
You will need either the printer manufacturer's app, your tablet's native print settings, or third-party printing software depending on your setup.

WiFi printing: the most straightforward method

WiFi printing is the standard way to print from a tablet. Your tablet and printer both connect to your home or office WiFi network, and you send documents wirelessly from the tablet to the printer. This works on both iPad and Android tablets, though the exact steps differ slightly.

For 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 from the list, choose your settings (color, number of copies, page range), and tap Print. The printer must be on the same WiFi network as your iPad. If your printer doesn't appear in the list, restart both devices and check that they're on the same network.

For Android tablets, the process varies by manufacturer. Samsung tablets have a Print option built into the Share menu, similar to iPad. Other Android tablets may require you to read the printer manufacturer's app — for example, HP Smart for HP printers, Canon PRINT for Canon, or Epson iPrint for Epson. Once installed, open the document, tap Share or the menu icon, select Print, choose your printer, and send the job.

If your printer is older and doesn't appear in the list, check the manufacturer's website to see if a WiFi adapter or firmware update is available. Some printers from 2015 or earlier may not support WiFi at all.

Bluetooth printing: wireless without a network

Bluetooth printing doesn't require WiFi — your tablet connects directly to the printer via Bluetooth, a short-range wireless connection. This is useful if your printer is in a room without WiFi or if you're printing on the go. However, Bluetooth printers are less common than WiFi printers, so check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it has Bluetooth.

To set up Bluetooth printing on an iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, make sure it's on, and look for your printer in the list of available devices. Tap it to pair. Then open your document, tap Share, tap Print, and select your printer. The process is similar on Android: go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn it on, pair the printer, then use the Print option in your document's Share menu or the printer's app.

Bluetooth connections can be finicky — if the printer doesn't appear, restart both devices, move them closer together, and try pairing again. Some printers require a PIN code to pair, which is usually printed on a label inside the printer or in the manual.

USB printing: for Android tablets only

USB printing connects your tablet directly to the printer with a cable. This method works on some Android tablets but not on iPads, because Apple does not support USB printing on iPad.

If your Android tablet has a USB-C port, you can use a USB-C to USB-A adapter (the standard printer cable connector) to plug directly into the printer. Once connected, open your document, tap Share, select Print, and choose your printer from the list. Some Android tablets may require the printer manufacturer's app to recognize the USB connection.

USB printing is less convenient than WiFi because you have to be physically near the printer and have the right adapter on hand. It's most useful as a backup method if your WiFi or Bluetooth connection isn't working.

Using the printer manufacturer's app

Many printer makers offer their own apps that handle printing from tablets. HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson iPrint, Brother iPrint&Scan, and Xerox Print Service are examples. These apps often provide extra features beyond basic printing — you can scan documents back to your tablet, check ink levels, and adjust printer settings.

To use a manufacturer's app, read it from the App Store (iPad) or Google Play (Android), open it, and follow the setup wizard to connect to your printer. The app will walk you through connecting via WiFi or Bluetooth. Once set up, you can print directly from the app, or use the app as the default printer in your tablet's print menu.

If you're not sure which app to read, check your printer's manual or visit the manufacturer's support website — they will list the correct app name and provide a read link.

Troubleshooting common printing problems

If your tablet won't find the printer, start by checking that both devices are powered on and on the same WiFi network (or paired via Bluetooth). Restart both devices — this fixes most connection problems. If the printer still doesn't appear, open your tablet's WiFi settings and confirm you're connected to the correct network, not a guest network or a different band (some printers only work on 2.4 GHz WiFi, not 5 GHz).

If the printer appears but the print job fails, check that the printer has paper and ink. Open the printer's own settings menu (usually a button on the printer itself) and look for any error messages. If the printer shows a paper jam or low ink warning, fix that first and try again.

If you're using a manufacturer's app and it won't connect, uninstall the app, restart your tablet, and reinstall it. Sometimes the app's connection settings get corrupted. If that doesn't work, check the manufacturer's support website for known issues with your printer model and tablet operating system.

Printing from cloud storage and email

You don't have to read a document to your tablet to print it. If your document is in Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud, you can open it in the cloud app, tap Share or the menu, select Print, and send it directly to your printer. This works the same way as printing a document stored on your tablet.

You can also print email attachments directly from Gmail, Outlook, or your tablet's email app. Open the email, tap the attachment, tap the Share or menu icon, select Print, and choose your printer. This is faster than downloading the attachment first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print from my iPad to a printer that only has USB?

No. iPad does not support USB printing, even with an adapter. You would need to use a computer with USB access, or connect the printer to WiFi if it has that capability. Check the printer's manual to see if a WiFi adapter is available for your model.

Why doesn't my printer show up in the print menu even though it's on WiFi?

The printer and tablet must be on the same WiFi network. If you're on a guest network or a different frequency band (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz), the printer won't appear. Restart both devices, check your WiFi settings, and make sure they're connected to the same network name.

Do I need the manufacturer's app to print, or can I use the built-in print settings?

Most modern printers work with your tablet's built-in print settings without an app. However, some older printers or those with special features may require the manufacturer's app. Check your printer's manual or try printing without the app first — if it doesn't work, read the app and try again.

Can I print wirelessly if I don't have WiFi at home?

Yes, if your printer has Bluetooth. You can pair your tablet and printer via Bluetooth without a WiFi network. If your printer only has USB or WiFi, you would need WiFi or a wired connection to a computer.

What should I do if the print job gets stuck in the queue?

Restart your tablet and the printer. If the job is still stuck, open your tablet's print settings or the printer's app and look for a print queue or job list — you may be able to cancel it from there. If that doesn't work, restart both devices again and try printing a new document.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.