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matrix07

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
7,839
4,598
I'll connect my ordinary printer to Airport Express. As I understand it, I can print wirelessly from Mac and iPhone without AirPrint, right? I don't need special software like Printopia, right?
 

priitv8

macrumors 68040
Jan 13, 2011
3,999
621
Estonia
Wrong. You can print from Mac, but not from iPhone.
The thing is, AirPort Express/Extreme only wirelessly extends the USB cable. You need a matching printer driver on your Mac to make it work.
iPhone has no printer driver(s). And AirPrint is a driverless printing protocol.
There are AirPrint activators available, however. You need to keep it running on a computer for as long as you need your AirPrint printer visible on iOS devices. That way, your computer pretends to be an AirPrint printer and will send it's output to a printer that's been configured to print on that computer.
 

Macman45

macrumors G5
Jul 29, 2011
13,197
135
Somewhere Back In The Long Ago
You need printNshare installed and webprint too. With these two apps you should be able to print, but to be frank? I'd buy an AirPrint capable device.

Theses require no real setting up beyond entry of your wifi details, then off you go.
 

matrix07

macrumors 604
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
7,839
4,598
Wrong. You can print from Mac, but not from iPhone.
The thing is, AirPort Express/Extreme only wirelessly extends the USB cable. You need a matching printer driver on your Mac to make it work.
iPhone has no printer driver(s). And AirPrint is a driverless printing protocol.

Ah, thank you. That explains everything.

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You need printNshare installed and webprint too. With these two apps you should be able to print, but to be frank? I'd buy an AirPrint capable device.

Theses require no real setting up beyond entry of your wifi details, then off you go.

Good advice. I'll keep it in mind.
 
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