Turn Any Printer Into an AirPrint Printer?

Yes, you can turn almost any printer into an AirPrint printer, even if it lacks native AirPrint support. The most common and reliable method is to connect the printer to a computer or a small device like a Raspberry Pi, then run a software bridge that translates AirPrint requests into the printer’s own language. This article explains the main options, how they work, and what to watch out for.

What AirPrint Actually Is

AirPrint is Apple’s wireless printing protocol, built into iOS and macOS since 2010. It lets iPhones, iPads, and Macs discover printers on the same Wi-Fi network without installing drivers. When a device sends a print job via AirPrint, it uses a set of standard IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) commands wrapped in a Bonjour service discovery layer. The printer must respond to Bonjour queries and accept IPP jobs. Many older or budget printers—especially USB-only models—don’t include this capability natively.

The key insight is that AirPrint is just a protocol, not special hardware. Any printer that can accept a standard print job from a computer can be made to accept an AirPrint job, provided something else on the network translates between the two.

Method 1: Share a Mac or Windows PC

The simplest approach for most people is to use a computer that is already connected to the printer. Both macOS and Windows can share a USB or network printer as an AirPrint device, though the setup differs.

• On macOS: Open System Settings > General > Sharing, enable Printer Sharing, then select the printer you want to share. Macs automatically advertise shared printers via Bonjour, so iPhones and iPads on the same network will see it as an AirPrint printer. This works even if the printer itself is not AirPrint-capable.
• On Windows: Windows does not natively advertise shared printers as AirPrint devices. You need third-party software such as AirPrint Server or Collobos ColloboPrint. These programs run in the background, listen for AirPrint requests, and forward them to the Windows printer queue. Setup usually involves installing the software, selecting the shared printer, and ensuring the Windows firewall allows incoming connections on port 631.

The main limitation is that the computer must be powered on and awake whenever you want to print. For a home office that’s fine, but it’s not ideal for a shared family printer that should be available 24/7.

Method 2: Use a Raspberry Pi or Small Server

A more permanent solution is to dedicate a low-power device to the task. A Raspberry Pi (any model with Wi-Fi or Ethernet) running CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) can act as an AirPrint bridge. CUPS is open-source and includes native AirPrint support since version 1.4.

1. Install a Linux distribution on the Pi (Raspberry Pi OS is the easiest).
2. Install CUPS with sudo apt install cups.
3. Add your printer to CUPS via the web interface at http://<pi-ip>:631. Choose the correct driver for your printer model—many use generic PostScript or PCL drivers.
4. Enable sharing in CUPS by editing /etc/cups/cupsd.conf and allowing access from your local network.
5. Restart CUPS. The Pi will now advertise the printer as AirPrint-compatible.

This method works with nearly any printer that Linux has a driver for, including very old USB-only models. The Pi consumes only a few watts, so you can leave it on permanently. The downside is the initial setup time and the need to maintain the Pi (updates, occasional reboots).

Method 3: Hardware Adapters and Print Servers

There are commercial print servers that plug into a printer’s USB port and connect to your network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Some of these devices, like the Lantronix xPrintServer, were specifically designed to add AirPrint to non-AirPrint printers. Others, like the D-Link DP-310, are general print servers that may or may not support AirPrint depending on firmware.

These adapters are the most “set-and-forget” option—they don’t require a computer to stay on. However, they are less common than they used to be, and availability varies. If you find one, check the specifications carefully to confirm AirPrint support. Many generic print servers only support standard IPP or LPR, which won’t work with AirPrint without extra software.

Choosing the Right Method

Your choice depends on your situation:

• You have a spare computer that’s always on: Use the Mac sharing method or Windows software.
• You want a dedicated, low-power solution: A Raspberry Pi with CUPS is the best balance of cost, flexibility, and reliability.
• You want no computer involved: Look for a hardware print server with explicit AirPrint support.
• You only print occasionally: The simplest method is to email the document to yourself and print from a computer, but that defeats the purpose of wireless printing.

Also consider the printer itself. If it’s a very old model with a proprietary driver that only works on Windows, the Raspberry Pi method might fail because Linux drivers may not exist. In that case, the Windows software method is your only option.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Even with a successful setup, you may hit issues:

• Printer not discovered: Ensure the phone and the print server are on the same Wi-Fi network (not a guest network). Bonjour uses multicast, which some routers block between different SSIDs.
• Print job stuck in queue: Check that the computer or Pi can still print to the printer directly. If that works, the issue is likely the AirPrint bridge—restart the service or the computer.
• Incorrect paper size or orientation: AirPrint sends the job with the phone’s page settings. If the printer driver defaults to a different size, jobs may print oddly. Set the printer’s default paper size to match what you usually use.
• Printer shows as “offline” on the phone: This often means the bridge service isn’t running. On Windows, check that the AirPrint software is running. On a Pi, check that CUPS is active with sudo systemctl status cups.
• Print quality issues: The bridge doesn’t affect quality—it just forwards the data. If prints look bad, the problem is the printer driver or the printer itself.

Security and Network Considerations

Enabling printer sharing exposes your printer to your local network. While AirPrint itself doesn’t encrypt print jobs, the data stays on your network. If you’re in a shared office or apartment building, consider setting up a separate guest network for visitors so they can’t access your printer. Also, keep the computer or Pi updated with security patches, especially if it’s running Windows or Linux.

Another point: AirPrint uses IPP on port 631. If you have a firewall on the computer or Pi, you must allow incoming connections on that port. On Windows, the third-party software usually configures this automatically, but you may need to approve a firewall prompt. On Linux, you’ll need to open the port manually or configure CUPS to listen on the network interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work with a Bluetooth-only printer?

No. AirPrint requires a network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). Bluetooth printers are not compatible because AirPrint has no Bluetooth transport.

Can I use an old Android phone as an AirPrint server?

Technically yes, but it’s not practical. You’d need to run a custom app that implements the AirPrint protocol, and most such apps are unreliable or outdated. A Raspberry Pi is a much better investment.

Does AirPrint work over the internet (remote printing)?

No, AirPrint is designed for local networks. For remote printing, you’d need a cloud service like HP ePrint or a VPN back to your home network.

My printer is already on Wi-Fi but doesn’t show up in AirPrint. Why?

It likely doesn’t support AirPrint natively. Many Wi-Fi printers only support vendor-specific apps or standard IPP without Bonjour discovery. The methods above will still work because they add the missing AirPrint layer.

Is there any way to add AirPrint to a printer without a computer or Pi?

Only if you buy a hardware print server that explicitly supports AirPrint. These are rare and often expensive. For most people, the software approach is more cost-effective.

Will print speed be slower through a bridge?

Usually not noticeably. The bridge adds a few milliseconds of processing time, but the bottleneck is almost always the printer itself. Large photo files may take a bit longer to transfer, but it’s rarely an issue.

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