skip to main content

Printing from Ipads and Android tablets?

11 years ago

Is there a way to print from Ipads and android tablets? I have a Canon MX850. It is not a wireless printer. Right now it is connected to our network via ethernet cable into the router (we're having a tech savvy student over who may be able to get the usb connection to work).

Since our ipads and android devices are all connected to our home network, is there a way to send things to the printer.

Thank you.
Lynn.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
I have not done it but yes there is, try googling it, I saw an article recently about using google docs or something like that. I have seen apps also but not investigated it.
mike_kaiser_gw
11 years ago
The answer is yes but the methods differ depending on the device (Apple or Android). There are printers with the necessary software built-in to print directly from the device. If you don't want to buy a new printer, you'll need an app for an iPad. Google offers an option via Chrome.
Related Discussions
Tablet Plus Keyboard, Anyone?
Q
Comments (10)
It would depend on what tablet you were going to purchase for some of the info and what size it would be. I would not do it with a 7" or 10" tablet just too small in my opinion. but yes you can add a keyboard and mouse to a tablet or at least many of them, you would have to make certain they have multiple usb ports for that. The keyboards on the tablets can be awkward to use for any extended time. I do not think that netbooks will go away, they have newer models coming out with more stout processors in them and many now run windows 7. I have an acer netbook one of the first ones so mine is a little smaller than the ones out now, I love it but would not want it for my only computer, I use a usb mouse with it because I hate touchpads. Netbooks have no cd or dvd drive and neither do tablets so you have to use usb flash drives or have an external usb cd or dvd drive to plug in should you need to. Printing can be done if you have a printer that is networked, plugged into your router or you can use it by usb plugged into the tablet or netbook. If you have to install software for the printer that would have to be done either by download from their website or by usb flash drive or as I said a usb stand alone cd or dvd drive. I have not installed printer software on a netbook or tablet so can not help with that, however I just got a new laser printer delivered today and I hope to network it so that my netbook will be able to use it and since I have a wireless router I should be able to use any wifi enabled device that can print to print to it. If you really do not do much heavy work at all then you could probably get by. Again it would depend on the tablet. Do you have one in mind? Many of the bigger ones will cost you more than a laptop or netbook. Prices will of course drop on them since so many are now hitting the market. I love the looks of motorola zoom, and like the looks of the blackberry playbook also nice is the Acer Iconia, I prefer an Android based tablet myself, preferably one that is running the newest Android Honeycomb OS. but again I sure would not want a 7" or 10" main use tablet. I have the pandigital novel 7" tablet which I love and to me it is perfect for ereader use and I can do most of what I want to do on it including email, surf, music, pictures and video but would never think of using it for a primary device. Google's Android 3.0 Honeycomb for tablets: a guided tour of the UI some good youtube videos of systems with Android Honeycomb Android Honeycomb for some tablet options check out chinagrabber they have a ton of options. All of these have Android 2.2 Froyo which is the version prior to the new Honeycomb. Android 2.2 Apad Tablet PC
...See More
Any decent deals on tablets
Q
Comments (20)
The iPad is a beautiful machine, and I was sorely tempted, but I was concerned about having no Flash capability and being locked into the Apple market. I wasn't sure how limited I would feel, but I knew how much flexibility I would have with Android. While getting the Galaxy Tab 10.1 was a bit of an indulgence, the one at Costco came with an instant rebate, and a free leather protective pouch. Another important factor was that Costco offers a second year of warranty for free on their tvs and computers, and I got a third year by paying for it with a Costco/Amex credit card. This saved me from having to buy a separate, extended warranty, so it's something to factor in if you are shopping for a tablet. You also have a 90-day period in which you can return almost any electronics item for a refund if you don't like it. (I'm not shilling for Costco: I have no connection with them other than as a satisfied customer. Their second year warranty saved me once when my big screen tv died in the 13th month and they did a $1000 repair for free.)
...See More
Tablet sale at Woot ends November 1st
Q
Comments (11)
Katlan yes there is a time period of protection for them, I don't recall right off what it is. You can also purchase the square trade 1 year protection plan for it. If you click on one of the tablets, I clicked on the red Asus, you can read more about it and will see the offer by square trade. I see that one also comes with a 90 day warranty from Asus. They have good support. When I bought my first tablet I thought it would be just a new plaything. Now today with the tablet I have, I would be very upset if I didn't have it. I use it every single day and night. I find I am rarely on my computers. Which for me is great. At my computer I am in my wheelchair, using my tablet I can be extremely comfortable in my recliner, couch, chairs, bed. So I love that aspect too, it easily goes anywhere. And unlike my laptop I don't have to worry about it over heating and keeping the vents on the bottom open by using a flat surface. A tablet doesn't have those issues. I thought it would be a plaything, but it has become a very integral important part of my life. About the funny things that are on woot, you just have to know woot, they have always been silly like that, but I order from them often and never been disappointed. To really find out the information on the item click on it and then you see the real specs and information.
...See More
Tablet, Laptop, Adobe Flash Problems
Q
Comments (19)
I'm going to try Bugspop1's suggestions. I have Xfinity1 and ATT routers, so it may be perilous and require calling them again for help. Also both routers have been replaced in the past 2 weeks because of other problems: The ATT router suddenly and mysteriously stopped allowing any telephone caller ID and calling features...the technician who replaced the router said he didn't know why this happened or what caused it. ATT provides 3 mbps speed, which is (from my experience) not fast enough for Amazon video, so we use ATT mainly when Xfinity isn't working. We have just one phone connected to ATT. The Xfinity/Comcast router was replaced last week because of tv issues. I got fed up with the poor service on the last cable boxes. All channels not HD were stretched to fit the format of our HD tvs. So all the people on tv look like they weigh 500 lbs. Comcast refused for months to provide info to change this in the setup menu of the cable box. So after hours on the phone to them and several trips to their store, we now have tv that shows HD and SD in the proper formats. I also had to accept yet another phone line from Comcast, their bundle, to save money. Their internet/tv bill was $270. The new bill including phone is now supposed to be $190. The stupid downside to this is the Comcast rep said I have to call Comcast on the phone number they provide, otherwise they won't provide any support. I already have 4 phone numbers so this is very annoying to me. After the cable boxes were replaced the internet router was reset by Comcast when they set up the cable boxes. That evening I logged in to the xfinity web site and saw that some videos would play and others wouldn't. CNN wouldn't play anything at all (though accessing the site outside of the xfinity portal allows some videos to play). So I called up Xfinity support who weren't helpful at all. They actually said they don't support video playback help issues on their own site! So their support is less than adequate imho. I tried the suggestions about changing video quality...Amazon works ok in SD. In HD videos start off in very poor quality and gradually get better. I don't use amazon streaming when I'm out of town because the site only streams in HD and would quickly use up my data allowance. Windows Defender is up to date. Nvidia has automatically updated it's drivers several times since I got the MSI laptop. The MSI also did the update where it installed a new version of Win10 (It took about 17 hours). There isn't any software in common on the two laptops. I tried a system restore on the MSI. It didn't help, but it didn't hurt. I uninstalled and reinstalled Adobe flash several times. If I can get inside the router setup menus is it easy to figure out if the routers are allowing adobe flash video? I'll keep working on this....
...See More
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
here are a few links that might help

AirPrint Setup and Troubleshooting

How to Print from Your iPad

How do you print directly from the iPad without transferring files to a computer first? It is possible?

for android
Cloudprint

How to Print from your Android device

How to Print From an Android Phone

How to Print from an Android Tablet or Phone
you tube

doesn't look too hard to do I may have to get that set up on my new Asus Transformer since I seem to be spending all my time on it now lol.
PRO
kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If your Canon MX850 is on the network via an ethernet cable, you'd think you'd have much easier luck being able to print to it, since the iPads, etc are probably on the same network.

Btw, I take it you have a wireless router ?

The next step is having/finding some "driver" (printer software) for the iPad/Android that can see that printer and print to it.
Apple has Airprint built-in for that, but only some printers will work with it. Unfortunately the MX850 will not. So then you have to find some third party software that will take the place of Airprint.
Here's a short list :
Top 5 Printing Apps For Your iPad

The problem I see there is that most of them require the printer to be wireless - that is, broadcasting it's existence wirelessly. If not, then some have some helper software that you install on your PC, MAC, whatever, and you print to that computer, which relays it to the printer. That means the intermediary computer will have to be always on.

I did see some guy has developed HandyPrint, which you can install on your iPad, etc, and it will trick the iPad into thinking it's printing to an Airprint enabled printer. Looks like worth a try :
Handyprint-v5

Print wirelessly from any iDevice, with any printer

The issues are more or less the same for Android devices I would think.

Here is one more, quite long article, but it looks very comprehensive. I didn't have time to read it myself :
How To Print Wirelessly From a Smartphone or Tablet, Using the Printer You Already Have

Maybe someone knows more about this than I do.

-Kent
jane__ny
8 years ago
Apple is a pain in the $ss!

Jane
millworkman
8 years ago
This post is 2-1/2 years old it was brought back back someone from their first ever post, odds are it is spam.....
PRO
kbarb - San Francisco - Z10a
8 years ago
Damn, I think you're right. All "Rarding's" links lead to some Coolmuster products.
I didn't notice the time stamp, and just thought he/she was some kind of nut case with the off-the-mark post.
And I think he/she's done this before if I remember correctly. The admin's should ban him.
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I use to use a Program for my iPod called FingerPrint. Started using this back when I first got my iPod. I had decided I had to be able to print from my iPod and Android Tablet. I finally found out that Brother (the maker of my Color Laser and Color Inkjet Printers) had Software for Both ( iPrint&Scan ). You might want to check with Canon to see if they offer any software like this for your Canon Printer.

Here is a link that may help: Canon Mobile Printing

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN 20 Kitchen Must-Haves From Houzz Readers

By Jennifer Ott Design

We asked you to tell us your top kitchen amenities. See what popular kitchen features made the list

KITCHEN DESIGN Magic Mirrors Emerge From Fairy Tales

Amazing advancements in computers, interfaces and glass point to a future in which smart surfaces are commonplace in the home

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Call: What’s Cooking in Your Kitchen?

By Stacy Briscoe

Most of us turn to recipes, videos and culinary shows when we cook. Where do you set your cookbook, tablet or TV screen?

INSIDE HOUZZ Inside Houzz: Explore Sketch, a New Way to Bring Design Ideas to Life

Update your Houzz app to get Sketch for iOS and Android

HOME TECH Build a Smarter Kitchen Now With Gadgets You Already Own

Technology can improve your kitchen's efficiency for next to nothing — just look to your old phone or tablet

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: An Apple a Day

By At The Picket Fence

20 products to help your iPad, iPhone and other Apple gadgets feel right at home

HOME TECH Tech to the Rescue: How to Get Stolen Gadgets Back

Catch any crook who dares steal devices from your home with recording and tracking technology that's easy to use

HOME TECH Now Playing in Homes Everywhere: TV, the App

It's easier than ever to beam streaming content from mobile devices to your TV screen

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Curiosities Bring Quick Intrigue to a Living Room

By Mary Jo Bowling

From blank box to captivating, exotic concoction, this room goes for the wow factor — and the whole house took just 4 days

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Great Gifts for Mom

Mother’s Day is May 11! Let Mom know how much she means to you with one of these terrific gifts from the Houzz Products section

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I stop my modem from gathering and sharing our data?

12

sound missing on Dell

3

Problems with Outlook 2013

0

Upgrading Windows 11 from Home to Pro

2

Any suggestions for a very secure non-web-based email?

3