Print from your iPhone or iPad to any printer

So your printer doesn't support AirPrint? Not to worry: a $20 utility makes almost any model compatible with your iDevice.

Want to print an email you received on your iPad? How about a photo you snapped with your iPhone? Or a document you just downloaded from Dropbox?

Apple's AirPrint technology promises to make that easy -- but only if your printer has the support built in. What about all the models that don't? Do you really have to buy a new printer just to enjoy this capability?

Nope. You can solve this hassle with a $20 bill. Collobos FingerPrint 2.1 is a Windows utility (also available for Mac) that lets your iDevice print wirelessly to just about any printer.

There's no app involved here, only the FingerPrint software. Once installed, it discovers all the printers on your PC (including those connected to your network) and makes them available to any iOS device.

Thus, if you want to print, say, a photo, you just pull it up in the Photos app, tap the Print option, then choose the printer you want to use and the number of copies you want to print.

I've been using an earlier version of FingerPrint on my system for some time, and it works like a charm. Although the developer doesn't guarantee compatibility with all printers, I was able to get it working with four different models -- including an old HP Photosmart 475 (one of those "lunchbox" photo printers).

The just-released 2.1-version of FingerPrint adds support for Windows 8, Mac OS X 10.6-10.8, and iOS 6. It also lets you create virtual printers for services like Evernote and Dropbox, meaning you can "print" documents, photos, and the like directly to your accounts.

I think my only complaint with FingerPrint is its $19.95 price tag. (There's a trial version, thankfully.) That's cheaper than a new printer, sure, but still a bit steep for what is essentially a simple print server. On the other hand, it quickly and easily solves a major hassle with iDevice printing, and that's worth something.

Contributing Editor Rick Broida writes about business and consumer technology. Ask for help with your PC hassles at [email protected], or try the treasure trove of helpful folks in the PC World Community Forums. Sign up to have the Hassle-Free PC newsletter e-mailed to you each week.

Join the newsletter!

Or

Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more.

Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

Error: Please check your email address.
Keep up with the latest tech news, reviews and previews by subscribing to the Good Gear Guide newsletter.

Rick Broida

PC World (US online)
Show Comments

Most Popular Reviews

Latest Articles

Resources

PCW Evaluation Team

Cate Bacon

Aruba Instant On AP11D

The strength of the Aruba Instant On AP11D is that the design and feature set support the modern, flexible, and mobile way of working.

Dr Prabigya Shiwakoti

Aruba Instant On AP11D

Aruba backs the AP11D up with a two-year warranty and 24/7 phone support.

Tom Pope

Dynabook Portégé X30L-G

Ultimately this laptop has achieved everything I would hope for in a laptop for work, while fitting that into a form factor and weight that is remarkable.

Tom Sellers

MSI P65

This smart laptop was enjoyable to use and great to work on – creating content was super simple.

Lolita Wang

MSI GT76

It really doesn’t get more “gaming laptop” than this.

Featured Content

Product Launch Showcase

Don’t have an account? Sign up here

Don't have an account? Sign up now

Forgot password?