The Basic Steps to Print From a Tablet

Printing from a tablet works differently than printing from a computer because tablets don't have built-in printer drivers the way desktops do. Instead, your tablet connects to a printer wirelessly using one of three methods: AirPrint (for Apple devices), Google Cloud Print or Google Print (for Android), or a manufacturer's own app. The printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your tablet, and the printer itself must support wireless printing.

The actual printing step is straightforward once the connection is set up. Open the document, photo, or web page you want to print, tap the share or menu button, select print, choose your printer from the list, and tap print. The whole process takes under a minute once everything is connected. Most modern printers made in the last five years support wireless printing, but older printers may not.

Key Takeaways

  • Your tablet and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network before you can print wirelessly.
  • Apple tablets use AirPrint, while Android tablets use Google Print or the printer manufacturer's app.
  • You access the print option through the share menu or document menu in whatever app you are using.
  • If your printer does not appear in the printer list, restart both the printer and tablet, then check that they are on the same network.

How to Print From an iPad Using AirPrint

AirPrint is built into every iPad and works automatically if your printer supports it. To print, open the document, photo, or web page in Safari, Photos, Mail, or another app. Tap the share button (usually a square with an arrow pointing out of it) at the bottom or top of the screen. Scroll down and tap Print.

A screen will appear showing available printers. Tap the printer you want to use. You can adjust the number of copies and choose color or black-and-white printing. Then tap Print in the top right corner. The document will send to your printer when ready. If you do not see your printer in the list, make sure it is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPad.

How to Print From an Android Tablet

Android tablets use Google Print, which is built into most Android devices made after 2013. Open the document or photo you want to print in Chrome, Gmail, Google Drive, or another app. Tap the menu button (three dots) and select Print. A print preview will appear.

At the top of the preview, you will see a dropdown that says All Printers or shows your current printer. Tap it to see available printers on your network. Select the printer you want. You can adjust copies, page range, and color settings. Tap the print icon (usually a printer symbol) to send the job. If your printer does not appear, check that it is on and connected to your Wi-Fi network, then tap the refresh button to search again.

If Google Print does not find your printer, read the manufacturer's printing app instead. HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all offer free apps that work the same way—open the document, select print from the menu, choose the printer, and confirm.

Setting Up Your Printer for Wireless Printing

Before you can print, your printer must be set up for Wi-Fi. Most printers have a wireless setup button or menu option. Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer (usually marked with a wireless symbol) for three to five seconds until a light blinks. This puts the printer in pairing mode.

On your tablet, go to Settings and open Wi-Fi. Look for your printer's network name in the list of available networks—it usually includes the printer model number. Tap it and enter the password if one appears on the printer's screen. Once connected, the printer will remember this network and connect automatically each time it powers on.

If your printer has a touchscreen, you can also connect to Wi-Fi through the printer's own menu. Look for Network Settings or Wi-Fi Setup, select your home network, and enter your Wi-Fi password. This method is often faster and more reliable than the pairing button.

Troubleshooting When Your Printer Does Not Appear

If your printer is not showing up in the printer list, the most common cause is that it is not on the same Wi-Fi network as your tablet. Check your printer's display or settings menu to see which network it is connected to. Then go to your tablet's Wi-Fi settings and make sure you are connected to the same network.

Restart both devices if they are on the same network but still not connecting. Turn off the printer completely, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your tablet by powering it off and on again. Once both devices have restarted, try printing again. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent the devices from finding each other.

If restarting does not work, check whether your printer actually supports wireless printing. Printers older than ten years may only have USB or Ethernet connections. You can look up your printer model on the manufacturer's website to confirm. If your printer does support wireless but still will not connect, try forgetting the Wi-Fi network on both devices and reconnecting them from scratch.

Printing Photos and Documents From Different Apps

The print option location varies slightly depending on which app you are using. In Safari or Chrome, tap the share button and scroll to find Print. In Gmail or Mail, open the message, tap the menu (three dots), and select Print. In Google Drive, open the file, tap the menu, and select Print. In Photos, select the photo, tap share, and choose Print.

Some apps like Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader, and Dropbox have their own print buttons built into the toolbar. Look for a printer icon or a menu option labeled Print. If you cannot find a print option in an app, try opening the document in a web browser instead—most browsers have a print function in their menu.

Printing to PDF Instead of Paper

If you do not have a printer nearby or want to save a document digitally, you can print to a PDF file instead. On an iPad, open the document, tap share, select Print, then use two fingers to pinch the print preview. This converts it to a PDF that you can save to Files or email. On Android, open the document, select Print, and look for a Save as PDF option in the printer dropdown menu.

Saving as PDF is useful when you want to keep a copy of something without using paper, or when you need to send a formatted document to someone else. The PDF will look exactly as it would if printed, with the same layout and formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No installation is required for AirPrint on iPad or Google Print on Android—both are built in. If your printer does not appear using these methods, you may need to read your printer manufacturer's app from the App Store or Google Play, but this is free and takes less than a minute.

Can I print if my printer is not on Wi-Fi?

No, wireless printing requires both your tablet and printer to be on the same Wi-Fi network. If your printer only has a USB cable connection, you cannot print wirelessly from a tablet. You would need to use a computer instead.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Printers sometimes disconnect if they are too far from the router or if the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Move the printer closer to your router or remove obstacles between them. If the problem continues, restart the printer and reconnect it to Wi-Fi through the printer's settings menu rather than using the pairing button.

Can I print from my tablet to a printer at work or a friend's house?

Only if you are connected to that same Wi-Fi network. You cannot print to a printer on a different network. If you are visiting someone, connect your tablet to their Wi-Fi, and their printer should appear in your printer list.

What if I want to print but my tablet is not near the printer?

Your tablet must be on the same Wi-Fi network, but it does not need to be physically close to the printer. As long as both are connected to your home or office Wi-Fi, you can print from anywhere in the building. The printer will receive the job and print it whenever you send it.