Why can't my iPhone and iPad find my supported AirPrint printer?

Unfortunately the previous post was simply an AI generated response. I am using iOS 18.2.1 on a Samsung printer and it works just fine, so I would not wait for any update. While I am not sure which Samsung printer you have, I have seen the issue with dual band routers and it would make sense in that that the older iPad and the Samsung printer would connect on the 2.4Ghz band and the newer iPhone would connect on the 5Ghz band that could cause the problem. You are unable to determine on the phone which band the iPhone connects to, but you can see that when logging into the router. It may also help to know which router you are using. One way to test this is by using a setting on your router that would restrict the band to only 2.4Ghz.

Are you seeing the message "No AirPrint printer found" after choosing the printer where it says "No Printer Selected"?

After scouring the Apple Support site and the HP site that now supports Samsung printers, it does appear there was a change that started in iOS 17 that affected printing to that specific printer, although Apple still shows it as a supported AirPrint printer. It did appear that some of the impacted printers were able to receive a firmware update, but as you said there is not one for the model you have.

I do wish Apple would have provided a fallback method or compatibility setting even if they did change the Bonjour protocol used for AirPrint. The whole point of AirPrint was to not have to rely on the printer manufacturer to release drivers that support OS updates, and for a small number of printers that appears exactly what has happened.

If your iPhone and iPad running iOS 18.1 or 18.2.1 cannot find your Samsung AirPrint printer, while an older iPad on iOS 16 can, it could be due to several potential issues. Here’s a detailed troubleshooting guide:

1. Confirm Printer Compatibility

• Verify that your Samsung printer is AirPrint-compatible and updated to its latest firmware. Even if it worked with older iPads, newer iOS versions may require updated printer firmware for compatibility.

2. Network Connection

• Same Network: Ensure your iPhone, iPad, and printer are all connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

• No VPN: Disable any VPNs on your devices, as they can interfere with AirPrint.

• Wi-Fi Band Issues: If your router supports dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz), ensure all devices, including the printer, are on the same band. AirPrint often works best on the 2.4GHz network.

3. Restart Devices

• Restart your printer, iPhone, and iPad to refresh network connections.

• Power cycle your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

4. Reset Printer Settings

• On your printer, reset its network settings and reconnect it to your Wi-Fi. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions.

5. Update Printer Firmware

• Check the manufacturer’s website (Samsung, or HP if your printer is under HP management) for firmware updates for your printer model.

6. Ensure AirPrint is Enabled

• Some printers require AirPrint to be manually enabled in their settings menu. Access your printer’s settings through its control panel and look for AirPrint options.

7. Test with Another App

• Try printing from a different app, like Safari or Mail, to ensure the issue isn’t app-specific.

8. Check for iOS 18.1+ Changes

• iOS 18 Changes: Some newer iOS versions may have stricter protocols for AirPrint. Go to:

Settings > General > AirPrint & Handoff

Ensure AirPrint is enabled for your devices.

9. Printer Discovery Troubleshooting

• Open Settings > Wi-Fi and see if your printer appears under “Other Networks” or “Devices.”

• Alternatively, use the printer’s IP address:

1. Find your printer’s IP address via its control panel.

2. Open Safari on your iPad or iPhone.

3. Enter the printer’s IP address in the URL bar to access its settings.

10. Try Bonjour Services

• AirPrint uses Bonjour for discovery. If Bonjour services are disrupted, AirPrint won’t work. Ensure your router supports Bonjour or multicast services.

11. Reset Network Settings on iOS

• On your iPhone or iPad, go to:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Reconnect to your Wi-Fi and try again.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, you may need to contact Apple Support or Samsung/HP for further assistance, as the problem could involve an incompatibility introduced with iOS 18+.