The AirPrint control adds a network printer to the Macs you target. Employees then pick it straight from the print dialogue, with nothing to set up themselves.
Overview
The AirPrint control is in beta.
| macOS | Windows | Linux | iOS / iPadOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ |
Factorial IT sends a configuration profile with an AirPrint payload. The Mac then adds the printer to its print system using the name, location and address you entered. The Mac does not share the printer with other devices.
MDM compliance checks that the printer is installed on every targeted Mac and reports it under the AirPrint status.
Before you start
- You need a Mac connected to the same network as the printer. You use it to look up the printer's address and model.
How to use
Go to MDM > Controls > Add new control and choose AirPrint.
Give the control a name.
Look up the printer's address. On a Mac on the printer's network, run:
ippfind
Copy the IPP URL listed for your printer, for example ipp://BRW91325BA9BE81.local:631/ipp/print.
Look up the printer's model. Run this, putting the address from step 3 in place of {address}:
ipptool -tv ipp://{address} get-printer-attributes.test | grep -i -E "printer-info"
Copy what it returns for printer-info.
Fill in the printer fields:
| Field | Required | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Printer name | ✅ | Up to 30 characters: letters, numbers and underscores, no spaces |
| Printer location | Letters, numbers, spaces and hyphens | |
| Printer address | ✅ | The IPP URL. With no scheme, ipp:// is used. With no port, 631 is used |
| Printer model | ✅ | The printer-info value |
Choose where the control applies: all macOS devices, specific device groups, or a custom target.
Change or remove the control
Open the control from MDM > Controls to edit it, disable it or download its profile. If you delete the control, the printer is removed from the targeted Macs.
Tips and Best Practices
-
Run the lookups on the printer's own network.
ippfindonly sees printers on the network, and VLAN, the Mac is on. -
Paste the full IPP URL. If you leave out the scheme or port, the defaults (
ipp://and631) are used, which may not match your printer. - Keep printer names simple. No spaces, 30 characters at most.
- Fill in the location. It helps employees choose the right printer when there are several.
- Check compliance after deploying. The AirPrint status tells you which Macs have the printer.
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Troubleshooting
-
ippfindshows nothing.- Check that the Mac is on the same network, and VLAN, as the printer.
- Check that IPP or AirPrint is switched on in the printer's settings.
-
The printer is missing on a Mac.
- Check that the Mac is online and included in the control's targeting.
- Look at the device's AirPrint status in MDM compliance.
FAQ
-
Does the control work on Windows or iPhone?
No. It is for macOS only.
-
What happens if I delete the control?
The printer is removed from the targeted Macs.
-
Is the printer shared from the Mac to other devices?
No. The Mac adds it for its own use only.
-
Can I get the profile the control sends?
Yes. Open the control from MDM > Controls and download it.