iPhone Won't Print With Cable
Apple's mobile devices lack native driver support, but wireless printing options and special software can help
The iPhone's inability to print with a cable is not a bug, but a design choice. Since late 2010, the iPhone and iPad have been capable of AirPrint, Apple's wireless printing standard, making it easy to print from these devices without the need for cables. However, for those with older printers that lack wireless capabilities, printing from an iPhone can be a challenge.
One of the main reasons for this is that Apple's mobile devices don't have native driver support. This means that even if you plug your iPhone into a printer using a special adapter, it won't know how to communicate with it. This is an intentional decision by Apple, as handling the many variations of device drivers would be a complex task.
There are, however, some wireless printing options available for non-AirPrint printers. Standalone apps from brands like HP and Canon offer wireless printing options, but the catalog of models they support only goes back so far. This can be a problem for those with older printers.
For users who still want to print from their iPhone to a USB printer, there are some alternative solutions. Apps like PrintCentral Pro, PrintDirect, and PrintCast can print from an iPhone to a USB printer, but they require a computer middleman. Special software like Printopia can also create an AirPrint bridge, allowing a USB printer to show up as a wireless printing option, but again, this requires a computer.
## Why it matters The lack of native driver support on Apple's mobile devices can be frustrating for those who need to print from their iPhone. However, the availability of wireless printing options and special software can help to mitigate this issue. As wireless technology continues to dominate, it's likely that the need for cables will decrease, making it easier for iPhone users to print without the hassle of cables.
The fact that some Android apps support direct USB printing highlights a notable disadvantage between Android and iPhone. However, for now, iPhone users will have to rely on wireless printing options or special software to print from their devices.
