How to enable AirPrint Printer support in Windows

AirPrint is definitely one of the more convenient features of iOS 4.2.1 and thanks to a new tool you can turn any printer connected to your Mac or Windows PC into an AirPrint compatible printer. The utility is called AirPrint Hacktivator and it’s very easy to use, this is a much simpler method than using the prior hack to manuallyenable AirPrint in Mac OS X 10.6.5.

How to make any Printer AirPrint compatible on Mac OS X

Follow these instructions, it’s surprisingly easy and supports all printers connected to your Mac.

• Download AirPrintHacktivator for Mac OS X (Direct Download Link)
• Launch AirPrintHacktivator
• Click the toggle switch to “On”
• Enter the Mac Admin password when requested
• A message window will come up telling you to adjust your printer setup to enable AirPrint
• Go to System Preferences -> Print & Fax and then delete and re-add the printer you want to use with AirPrint
• Select the checkbox next to “Share this printer on the network”
• Close System Preferences

Your newly added printer will have full AirPrint support and compatibility now, fire up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 4.2.1 update and try out AirPrint.

Of course many of us also have Windows PC’s on the network, so let’s get AirPrint working on those shared Windows printers too:

The Windows method was hacked together by a German team and it’s slightly different but still very easy to use:

• Download AirPrintHacktivator for Windows (FileDude Download link)
• Launch AirPrint.exe and click on “Activate AirPrint on Windows” – be sure to select 32bit or 64bit depending on your Windows operating system
• Remove and Re-add the Printer you want to use AirPrint with

I don’t speak German so I can not offer a precise translation for the text, but

Check out the developers home if you’re interested.

AirPrint Activator v2.0

AirPrint Activator v2.0 is the next generation software that will be compatible with OSX Lion.  It is a complete re-write of the original v1 version and no longer depend on Apple’s support of AirPrint inside the OS.

What that mean is that even if Apple remove support for AirPrint in future OSX update it will keep running.

Local and remote printers:

Run AirPrint Activator on your Mac to share local and network attached printers to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch running iOS 4.2 or newer. AirPrint Activator listen to all local network printer advertisements and make them available via AirPrint.  If it is shared and visible by your Mac it will be advertised.

Free and Safe:

There are other solutions out there but they either cost $$$ or will require your password to modify your Mac’s system files.  AirPrint Activator requires neither (unless you want to donate a little something).

Easy to use:

AirPrint Activator is also the easiest thing use!  Simply download it, unzip it, run it and turn AirPrint on.  That’s it! No need to install the application and manually select printers like other solutions.  Simply run and forget!

Download:

Download the latest beta version compatible with intel based OSX Lion (10.7beta), OSX Snow Leopard (10.6) and OSX Leopard (10.5):

AirPrint Activator v2.1b4 (intel)

Notes:

If you have been using the previous version of AirPrint Activator (v1.x.x) make sure to disable AirPrint with the previous version, remove and add back all your shared printers and then run the new AirPrint Activator version 2.

Installation:

Follow this short video howto:

or:

1. Download

2. Run the application

3. Activate AirPrint (make sure you are sharing the printers. No need to remove and add like in V1.)

4. Print on your iDevice

Firewall Configuration (if needed)

Follow this video tutorial on how to make AirPrintActivator work when the OSX Firewall is turned ON:

Support:

You can report issues with AirPrint Activator in this forum.

FAQ:

Q: Do I need to install something on my iDevice?

A: No, only make sure your iDevice is running iOS 4.2 and above

Q: I turned my Mac off and I can’t print anymore via AirPrint. Why?

A: Your iDevice require that your Mac be running for AirPrint Shared printers to be available.

Q: I have enabled AirPrint via AirPrint Activator v2 but my printer is not showing on my iDevice?

A: Make sure you are “sharing” your printer: