Can I print from my iPad Pro via cable?

[CaityLou99]

I recently bought a new wireless LaserJet printer (the DeskJet 3721 All-in-One) but unfortunately I have not been able to set it up with my desktop Mac as my Mac is quite old, I can’t update the operating system on it any more as they are no longer issuing updates for that version of the desktop Mac, and as such the HP Smart software is unable to be downloaded onto my computer as it is incompatible with such an old operating system.

Instead, I’ve set up the printer to connect to my more recent iPad Pro that does have the HP Smart software on it. But my Wi-Fi at home can be a bit patchy, and I would like to be able to print via a cable and not just Wi-Fi sometimes (for bigger documents) for stability. Does anyone know if I can somehow print via a connected cable directly from my iPad Pro to this printer (just as you could do from a desktop computer to a printer usually)? I did try connecting the cable from my iPad Pro to my printer directly this evening but it didn’t seem to read the connection and the printer didn’t show up in HP Smart. Any advice?

Alternatively, is there an older version of the HP Smart software that I could install on my desktop computer that would still be compatible with this new printer and my old Mac, so I could simply print via cable on those devices?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @CaityLou99,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

Please go through the document here and see how it goes. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Nal_NR]

Hi @CaityLou99,

Hope I was able to fix the issue. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. 

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers and did reply to you!

[Nal_NR]

Hi @CaityLou99,

Hope I was able to fix the issue. If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. 

Give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers and did reply to you!

[CaityLou99]

Hi Elohi, unfortunately your suggested answer (and like to the document from Apple) didn’t contain an answer to my specific question about using a cable directly from my iPad Pro to the printer and connecting the devices that way rather than via WiFi. However, I troubleshooted my own solution by getting a dongle and ensuring a better Internet connection just for printing purposes. Thanks anyway (although my iPad cable question remains yet to be answered in reality)!

[Nal_NR]

Hi @CaityLou99,

I'm glad to hear that and you're most welcome. Do get back to us in the future for further assistance.