Printing from a Tablet, any Tablet???

**gordon_s1942** · 02-08-13, 06:10 PM

Is it possible to connect a Tablet (any brand) to a printer preferably by Wifi?
I have a Canon MG5460 WiFi printer that I have connected to a desktop and L/top computer via the router and I was wondering can a Tablet (any brand) be connected too?

**mtv** · 02-08-13, 06:35 PM

Yes, android and apple have apps for tablets and wifi printers, but I wouldn't assume all tablets have the functionality.

Not all printers are compatible either.

**jwoegerbauer** · 02-08-13, 06:50 PM

If your PC is a pre Windows 7 one, then try an app called "PrinterShare" on the market. It installs a WiFi client on your Windows PC.
Since Windows 7 you simply configure Windows to enable/make useable the inbuilt MiniWLan port.

Et voila, you then print via your normal printer.

**gordon_s1942** · 02-08-13, 07:10 PM

jwoegerbauer, if you reread my post you will see I specifically asked about TABLETS, not PC's which again I mentioned that I have already connected both a Desktop (WIN8) and a L/top (WIN7) to the Canon 'wireless' printer via the Wifi Router.

**jok11n** · 02-08-13, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by gordon_s1942

jwoegerbauer, if you reread my post you will see I specifically asked about TABLETS, not PC's which again I mentioned that I have already connected both a Desktop (WIN8) and a L/top (WIN7) to the Canon 'wireless' printer via the Wifi Router.

pretty sure he got that, I think you'll find what he meant was you can share the printer on your computer (providing they're connected to the same network) and your tablet can send print jobs to that shared printer, the computer does need to be on for it to work of course though

**mtv** · 02-08-13, 07:47 PM

Which is what I was referring to... direct printing from a tablet to a compatible wifi printer, without the need for a PC.

Some apps provide that functionality.

**jok11n** · 02-08-13, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by mtv

Which is what I was referring to... direct printing from a tablet to a compatible wifi printer, without the need for a PC.

Some apps provide that functionality.

the preferred method, via a shared printer is sometimes a workaround though that may suit if the hardware available doesn't support the devices you have and the situation fits

**jwoegerbauer** · 02-08-13, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by gordon_s1942

jwoegerbauer, if you reread my post you will see I specifically asked about TABLETS, not PC's which again I mentioned that I have already connected both a Desktop (WIN8) and a L/top (WIN7) to the Canon 'wireless' printer via the Wifi Router.

IMO as long as you don't clarify which OS the TABLET you have in mind is running, any discussion will probably fail. If it's a Windows 8/Windows RT based TABLET, then probably a matching printer driver altready is integrated in OS. If it's an Android based TABLET, then you probably have to search the internet for an appropriate printer driver. We all know a printer driver or a print processor is the piece of software that converts the data to be printed to the form specific to a printer selected.

**mickc** · 02-08-13, 11:17 PM

Just had a quick look Google shop and there are 2 wifi printer apps

**viewer** · 03-08-13, 09:31 AM

If you can't figure it out you could always save the document or whatever to a cloud/dropbox, and print via your normal networked printer.

**gordon_s1942** · 03-08-13, 01:56 PM

wow, those were interesting replies to say the least.
My query was for ANY Tablet irrespective of its O/S but Android was my interest.
I found an App in the Google Play store for my Canon (MG5400 series) printer and now to work out how to make the Samsung Galaxy Tab3 Tablet communicate with it.
I tried late last night after installing the APP but the Tablet couldnt 'find' the printer then but from memory I need to go into the Printer's settings and turn something ON in the Menu to allow it to be found.

At the moment I dont have a suitable SD card for the Tablet but no doubt I could use that to transfer data to the printer/computer as well as connecting the Tablet direct to the computer when I work out from the pathetic User manual how that is done.

**mickc** · 03-08-13, 04:21 PM

Just tried to print to a canon and a brother from a android tablet
Both error unable to find printer
Will play again tonight but both printers work from iPhones and I pads
Good luck

**jwoegerbauer** · 03-08-13, 05:12 PM

Originally Posted by viewer

If you can't figure it out you could always save the document or whatever to a cloud/dropbox, and print via your normal networked printer.

Probably the easiest way is to use , which since a week also is available for Windows PCs. Google Cloud Print is free of charge.

To use Google Cloud Print you need three primary things:

1. A Google Account.
2. A Cloud Print-enabled printer or computer capable of running Chrome connected to the printer.
3. A device capable of printing to Cloud Print (e.g. an Android phone, iOS device, laptop, or tablet).

Tutorial:

**porkop** · 03-08-13, 05:56 PM

I have a Brother 2150N networked printer.

I tried several ipad apps yesterday with mixed results.

Also have a Brother and Samsung printers connected to a windows XP PC and shared.

Some apps would "see" them but would not allow me to print from the iPad.

I'll keep searching.

I thing called AirPrint looks promising and I started to follow the destructions to get it working on a windows PC with non compatible AirPrint printers.

**tristen** · 04-08-13, 04:34 PM

I have an Onda tablet which is an Android-based device, and use a program called PrinterShare® for Android, which I obtained from the official website at .

I use the program to connect "wirelessly" to my local network printer, a Brother HL2170N. Additional connection options such as using a "shared" printer or by "cloud" printing are also available (see and for more info.).

There is a free version available to enable testing on your own system. The full version is available from the PrinterShare website. Payment is by Paypal, my preferred method of payment for internet-based transactions.

It supports a wide range of printers and works very well for me.

Android, Windows and Ipad versions of the software are available.

I located it via an Android device forum, my usual method for researching and obtaining relevant information regarding software or hardware requirements.

Previous posts in this section provide details of these sites

**viewer** · 23-08-13, 12:31 PM

**wander_n_wonder** · 18-09-13, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by gordon_s1942

Is it possible to connect a Tablet (any brand) to a printer preferably by Wifi?
I have a Canon MG5460 WiFi printer that I have connected to a desktop and L/top computer via the router and I was wondering can a Tablet (any brand) be connected too?

I don't think it would be that straightforward. There might be some devices which you can do that, but you specifically have to look for those paired gadgets. I have tried with an HP printer before through wifi sharing and I just wasted my time keeping on trying it. It never worked.

**otlo** · 18-09-13, 10:19 PM

install a program called FingerPrint , nice little program i can print from any tablet or phone directly too my printer , i have tried a lot of program this one i give 10/10.

**jwoegerbauer** · 18-09-13, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by otlo

install a program called FingerPrint , nice little program i can print from any tablet or phone directly too my printer , i have tried a lot of program this one i give 10/10.

FingerPrint became Presto. 's pricing is $1.95US/month and per install. Very strange cost plan, IMHO.

**wander_n_wonder** · 20-09-13, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by jwoegerbauer

If your PC is a pre Windows 7 one, then try an app called "PrinterShare" on the market. It installs a WiFi client on your Windows PC.
Since Windows 7 you simply configure Windows to enable/make useable the inbuilt MiniWLan port.

Et voila, you then print via your normal printer.

Is PrinterShare available for free download? And do you mean that if I'm using Windows 7, I can just automatically link my tablet and then I'm able to print right away.