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Excuse me for being completely confused about how AirPrint works. I'm aware of AirPrint activator on a PC. But is there a way to use a generic router (or Airport base station/Time Capsule) to attach an HP ethernet Laserjet printer to AirPrint?

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4 Answers 4

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Apple routers generally have no viable software you can customize. Other generic and third party routers often can be flashed and updates. It might be possible to get this working on routers that are able to run pared down versions of Linux (such as DD-WRT or Tomato) in place of their stock firmware. Linux can do AirPrint sharing of standard printers with a combination of CUPS and avahi (Bonjour) following instructions you can find here. Some of the 3rd party router firmwares already have CUPS configured, and I suspect you could get avahi working on them as well, there may be a pre-built version, but you may have to compile yourself.

Bottom line, given a compatible router, you should be able to do it, but it will require a fair bit of hacking and googling. There's no turn-key solution that I'm aware of, and of course this only works with routers that can use 3rd party firmware (there's a pretty good selection, but definitely not all), and Apple base stations definitely won't work unless Apple itself adds the functionality.

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  • So far my googling has turned up nothing specifically about hacking AirPrint into a router. Thanks for the definitive answer that apple routers do not support it. I wonder why...
    – themirror
    Oct 22, 2011 at 18:06
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You'll need a TomatoUSB compatible router with at least one USB port, which you can pick up for as low as $24 dollars on Amazon.

Like another user pointed out, TomatoUSB is a opensource router firmware that is based on Linux. The solution involves installing CUPS, Avahi, Dbus and other software to complete the printing chain.

Below is a tutorial I just wrote on how to setup AirPrint on a TomatoUSB router.

Keep in mind this isn't bulletproof and fully tested, but it works. Please comment and provide feedback if you try it (working or not working).

[Tutorial] Apple AirPrint on TomatoUSB Router http://blog.qnology.com/2013/03/tutorial-apple-airprint-on-tomatousb.html

As an added bonus, you can even set it up to do Google CloudPrint (some bugs still needs to be worked out). CloudPrint will allow you to print from any computer using Chrome over the internet (it also works with the iPhone Chrome app). You can even share the printer, so your friends and family can use it. Maybe set it up for the grandparents (along with a photo printer) so you can magically send them prints of the grandkids?

As mentioned by another user, the PogoPlug (E02) "hacked" to run ArchLinux ARM (ARLARM) is another great solution. Personally this is the solution I use. The PogoPlug can be bought for around $20 and is way more powerful in terms of CPU power than any router. Sorry at this time I don't have instructions for setting up AirPrint on the PogoPlug. However, I do plan on writing a tutorial in the near future and will update this answer when its available.

[Edit] - Tutorial for setting up AirPrint and AirPlay on PogoPlug (Recommended Solution)

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  • Thanks for answering and do consider two things: 1 - edit your profile and be sure to disclose any ties you have to your own product. 2 - summarize links and provide an answer. The community will often down vote link only answers as well as promotional content when there isn't a good answer self contained here without needing to go to external links.
    – bmike ♦
    Mar 6, 2013 at 2:30
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    thanks for the feedback. How does it look now?
    – qnology
    Mar 6, 2013 at 18:37
  • Wow - Most excellent answer - thanks so much :)
    – bmike ♦
    Mar 6, 2013 at 23:27
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There's a new product being demoed at CES that you can connect to any printer and make it AirPrint enabled... Maybe it would suit your needs?

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  • It is more expensive than my airprint-enabled printer was though :)
    – Peter Johnson
    Jan 11, 2012 at 22:07
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You can do it with a Pogoplug (v2) running arch Linux arm. They even have a (poorly written) tutorial. I can confirm that it is possible to get AirPrint working. As a bonus, AirPlay also works with added USB sound card. Not bad for $25

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    Add links to clarify.
    – segiddins
    Oct 3, 2012 at 15:28
  • Guessing from the website Pogoplug seems to more of a backup/cloud thing. How does this relate to AirPrint? If you have a way to get this to work, please edit your answer to help others to implment it as well.
    – nohillside ♦
    Oct 7, 2012 at 15:59

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