How to Connect Your Tablet to a Printer

The fastest way to print from your tablet

Most tablets print wirelessly using either AirPrint (Apple tablets) or Google Cloud Print and native printer apps (Android tablets). You do not need cables or special software—just a printer that supports wireless printing and a tablet on the same Wi-Fi network. The printer must be turned on and connected to that same network before you start.

If your printer is older or does not support wireless printing, you can still print by connecting a USB cable to a powered hub, though this method is less common and requires specific hardware. Most modern printers made in the last five years have built-in wireless capability, so check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm what it supports.

Key Takeaways

Apple tablets use AirPrint, which works automatically when your iPad and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network—no setup required beyond turning the printer on.
Android tablets print through the Google Play Store app for your specific printer brand, or through Google Cloud Print if your printer supports it.
Your tablet and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network; they do not need to be plugged into the same outlet or in the same room.
If your printer is not wireless-capable, you will need a powered USB hub and a USB-to-tablet adapter, which adds cost and complexity.
Most printer manufacturers offer free apps in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store that handle printing and let you check ink levels or paper status.

Connecting an iPad or Apple tablet using AirPrint

AirPrint is built into every iPad and works with any printer that has the AirPrint logo on its box or manual. Start by making sure your iPad and printer are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app you want to print from—this could be Photos, Safari, Mail, or any other app with a print option. Tap the share button (usually three dots or lines in a corner) and look for a "Print" option.

When you tap Print, a menu appears asking you to select a printer. Your wireless printer should appear in the list if it is on and connected to Wi-Fi. Tap it to select it. You can then choose how many copies you want and which pages to print. Tap "Print" in the top right corner. The job goes to your printer when ready—you do not need to confirm anything on the printer itself.

If your printer does not appear in the list, turn the printer off and back on, wait 30 seconds, then try again. If it still does not show up, check that both devices are truly on the same Wi-Fi network by looking at your Wi-Fi settings on the iPad. The network name must match exactly.

Connecting an Android tablet through the printer manufacturer's app

Android tablets do not have a built-in printing system like AirPrint. Instead, you read an app made by your printer's manufacturer—Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Xerox, and others all offer free apps in the Google Play Store. Search for your printer brand plus the word "print" (for example, "HP Print" or "Canon Print"). read and open the app.

The app will search your Wi-Fi network for compatible printers. Make sure your Android tablet and printer are on the same network. The app should find your printer automatically and display it on the screen. Tap to select it. From that point on, when you want to print from any app on your tablet, open the app's menu, look for "Print" or "Share," and the printer app will handle the rest. Some apps let you print directly; others open the manufacturer's app as an extra step.

If the app cannot find your printer, check your printer's manual for the exact Wi-Fi network name it is connected to. Some printers have a small screen that shows this information. If the printer is on a different network than your tablet, move the printer closer to your Wi-Fi router or restart both devices and reconnect them to the same network.

Using Google Cloud Print as an alternative

Google Cloud Print was a service that let you print to older printers through your Google account, but Google shut it down in December 2020. If you have an older Android tablet and an older printer, this option is no longer available. Instead, use your printer manufacturer's app, which is now the standard way Android tablets print.

If you are looking for a way to print to a printer that is not on your home network—for example, a printer at work or a family member's house—check whether your printer manufacturer offers a cloud printing service. Many do, and they work similarly to the old Google Cloud Print. Look in your printer's app settings for options like "remote printing" or "cloud printing."

Printing over USB with a hub and adapter

If your printer has no wireless capability, you can connect it using a USB cable and a powered hub. This requires a USB-to-tablet adapter (Lightning adapter for iPad, USB-C adapter for newer Android tablets, or Micro-USB adapter for older Android tablets) and a powered USB hub that supplies power to the printer. The hub must be powered because tablets cannot supply enough power to run a printer on their own.

Plug the adapter into your tablet, connect the hub to the adapter, plug the printer's USB cable into the hub, and plug the hub into a power outlet. Your tablet should recognize the printer automatically. Open the app you want to print from and look for a print option. The printer should appear in the list. This method works but is cumbersome and ties your tablet to the printer with cables, so it is rarely used unless wireless printing is impossible.

Troubleshooting when your tablet will not find the printer

The most common reason a tablet cannot find a printer is that they are on different Wi-Fi networks. Check your tablet's Wi-Fi settings and write down the exact network name. Then check your printer's settings—many printers have a small menu button or screen that shows which network they are connected to. If the names do not match, disconnect the printer from Wi-Fi and reconnect it to the same network as your tablet.

If both devices are on the same network but the printer still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Do the same with your tablet. Wait another 30 seconds and try printing again. If you are using an Android tablet, make sure you have downloaded the correct printer manufacturer's app and that it is up to date—check the Google Play Store for updates.

If the printer appears in the list but the print job fails or gets stuck, check that the printer has paper and ink or toner. Many printers will not accept print jobs if they are out of supplies or if a door is open. Look at the printer's screen or lights for error messages. If a job is stuck in the queue, restart the printer to clear it.

Checking printer compatibility before you buy

Before buying a printer, check whether it supports wireless printing and whether the manufacturer offers an app for your tablet's operating system. Visit the printer manufacturer's website and search for your tablet model—iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, or whatever you have. Look for a compatibility list or a link to read the app. Most printers made in the last five years support wireless printing, but some budget models do not.

If you already own a printer and are not sure whether it is wireless-capable, look at the box or manual for the Wi-Fi symbol or the words "wireless" or "AirPrint." You can also visit the manufacturer's website, enter your printer model number, and check the specifications. If your printer is not wireless-capable and you do not want to buy a new one, the USB hub method described above is your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install anything on my tablet to print?

iPad users do not need to install anything—AirPrint is built in. Android users must read the app for their printer brand from the Google Play Store. Once installed, printing works automatically from most apps without any extra steps.

Can I print to a printer that is not on my home Wi-Fi?

Not directly from your tablet unless both devices are on the same network. Some printer manufacturers offer cloud printing services that let you print remotely, but you must set this up in advance through the printer's app or web interface. Check your printer's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if this feature is available.

What if my printer is too old to support wireless printing?

You can use a USB hub and adapter to connect the printer directly to your tablet with a cable. This requires buying a powered USB hub and the correct adapter for your tablet model, which can cost $30 to $60. For most people, buying a newer wireless printer is simpler and less expensive.

Will printing from my tablet drain the battery faster?

Printing uses very little power. A single print job might use 1 to 2 percent of your tablet's battery. Wireless printing uses slightly less power than USB printing because it does not require a hub and adapter to be powered.

Can multiple tablets print to the same printer?

Yes. As long as all tablets are on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer, they can all print to it. The printer handles one job at a time, so if two tablets send jobs at once, the printer queues them and prints them in order.

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.