● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
iPhones lack wired printer support due to absence of native printer drivers
Key points
- iPhones do not support wired printing directly.
- iOS/iPadOS lack native printer driver support.
- AirPrint is Apple's wireless printing standard since 2010.
- Third-party apps or computer intermediaries are needed for older printers.
No Wired Printing Capability
iPhones and iPads are unable to print directly to printers using a wired connection. This limitation applies even when using adapters like USB On-The-Go (OTG), which can physically connect the device to a printer.
Absence of Native Printer Drivers
The primary reason for the lack of wired printing support is that iOS and iPadOS do not include native printer drivers. Apple made an intentional decision not to incorporate the vast array of drivers required for different printer models, as managing these would be complex for a mobile operating system.
Wireless Printing Solutions
Since late 2010, iPhones and iPads have supported AirPrint, Apple's wireless printing standard. Many modern printers are AirPrint-compatible. For older printers without AirPrint, some brands like HP and Canon offer standalone apps that provide wireless printing options, though support for older models can be limited.
Third-Party Apps and Workarounds
While no iPhone apps support direct USB printing, some applications like PrintCentral Pro, PrintDirect, and PrintCast can facilitate printing to USB printers by using a computer as an intermediary. Other workarounds include software like Printopia, which creates an AirPrint bridge, or setting up a Raspberry Pi print server, all of which still require additional hardware or software.
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Reporting from
iPhones cannot print directly via a wired connection because iOS and iPadOS lack native printer drivers. This design choice avoids the complexity of managing diverse printer drivers on mobile devices, necessitating wireless solutions like AirPrint or third-party apps that often require a computer intermediary.