AirPrint and Windows Printing: What You Need to Know

AirPrint is Apple's driverless printing technology for supported printers and Apple devices. Windows does not use AirPrint in the same way, so older guides that recommend installing unofficial AirPrint packages on Windows can be misleading or outdated.

If you are printing from an Apple device

Use an AirPrint-compatible printer and connect the Apple device and printer to the network as required by the printer manufacturer. The print command is built into supported iPhone, iPad, and Mac applications, so a separate AirPrint installer is generally not needed.

If you are printing from Windows

Use the printer manufacturer's current Windows driver or app, or Windows' supported network-printing features. Depending on the printer, modern printing standards and built-in Windows support may also be available.

Avoid unsupported third-party workarounds

Older articles sometimes recommend third-party utilities that attempt to make a Windows computer act as an AirPrint bridge. Their compatibility, security, and maintenance status can change. For a business or home network, use current software from the printer manufacturer or an operating-system-supported setup whenever possible.

If the printer is not found

Confirm that the printer is powered on, connected to the intended network, and supported by your device. Restart the printer and network connection if appropriate, then follow the manufacturer's current setup and troubleshooting documentation.