Retrofit Windows printers with AirPrint
IPad, iPhone and iPod touch have been offering AirPrint since iOS 4.2 - unfortunately only newer printers have mastered this technology. With a free tool you can also retrofit "normal" Windows printers with AirPrint.
AirPrint Activator upgrades your printer
The free tool AirPrint Activator iOS5 can be downloaded here from CHIP.
- After starting the program, simply select your operating system.
- Then open the "Printer" tab in the Control Panel and share your printer using the settings under the Sharing tab.
- Note: AirPrint Activator currently only works under iOS 5 and 6, but not under iOS 7. Alternatively, you can therefore try whether an app like "Printer Pro Lite" on your iOS7 device delivers good printing results and then buy the paid full version.
Troubleshoot AirPrint Activator printing problems
If printing doesn't work right away, you still need to approve AirPrint in your firewall.
- To do this, select the "Allow other programs" option under "Allowed programs" and click the "Browse" button.
- Now select the "airprint.exe" file in the "AirPrint" directory.
- If you have installed a firewall with which you work with dedicated port releases, you can open ports 9100 (TCP), port 631 (TCP) and port 5353 (UDP).
- If you have installed the Apple software Bonjour, port 5353 is already open. You should also activate the guest account in the Windows user account control.