What is it:
AirPrint Activator is a small application that will enable a Mac OSX 10.6.5 + iTunes 10.1 hidden feature to allow your shared printer to be visible on your iOS 4.2.1 devices. AirPrint allow you to print from new generation of Apple iPhones, iPad and iPod Touch to a printer shared over your personal WiFi network.
You only need to run AirPrint Activator once. Once AirPrint has been turned on it will remain on even after a reboot.
Download:
Download the latest beta version compatible with OSX 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 (Lion) from the AirPrint Activator v2 web page.
Download the latest version: AirPrint Activator v1.1.3
or
use version 1.1.2 if the latest version is reporting that it is not supported on your system: AirPrint Activator v1.1.2
Apple requested that I take down the AirPrintHacktivator page as they stipulate that the application is distributing copyrighted source code and/or software. AirPrint Activator is now replacing the defunct AirPrint Hacktivator application. It provide the same functionality without the use of any Apple files.
You can use AirPrint Activator as a replacement of the previous generation Hacktivator application. If present, it will take care of cleaning any Apple files installed by the previous generation Hacktivator when you “deactivate” AirPrint. It will only inject a single line in a CUPS configuration when you select to “activate” AirPrint.
System Requirements:
- OSX Snow Leopard 10.6.5, 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 (Not currently supported under OSX Lion 10.7 beta)
- iTunes 10.1 +
HOW TO activate AirPrint:
1. Launch AirPrint Activator:
2. Click on the togle switch:
3. Enter the admin password:
4. A window will appear instructing you to remove/add/share the printer you want to use with AirPrint:
Click OK.
5. Open System Preferences/Print & Fax and:
- Remove
- Add
- Share
the desired local printer. The following youtube clip will show you how:
Make sure you select your printer that is listed on your Mac and not “CUPS-PDF” as in this video.
6. Connect your iDevice to the same WiFi access point that your AirPrint Activated Mac OSX system is connected. Connection over 3G or other WiFi network won’t work with AirPrint.
Non local printer that do not offer a “Share option” as shown in the youtube video above will NOT work as an AirPrint reachable printer.
Support:
Get some basic support in the discussion forum.
Software revisions:
v1.1.3:
- Fixed a bug with the “Donation” not going away after clicking the “I already donated” button. Should be fine now. Also compiled with the latest Xcode 4 GM release. Result in tighter and faster code (not that it really matter as the application was always pretty small and fast). Some users have reported issues running the application on older Mac. Use v1.1.2 if this is the case.
- Fixed a bug with the “activation” detection routine. Everyone should upgrade to this new release if you want to properly “deactivate” AirPrint.
v1.1.1:
- Changed the logic to detect when AirPrint is activated. Should be able to handled future upgrades to the file modified by AirPrint Activator. In the event where Apple replace the file with an updated version you should simply need to run AirPrint Activator again to turn on AirPrint.
- Added a version string to the main UI.
v1.1:
- Completelly rebuilt the application as Cocoa Objective-C. No more AppleScript. Hopefully this should fix application crash issue on start that some have experienced.
v1.0:
- Initial release of AirPrint Activator
Legal Mumbo Jumbo:
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED FOR THIS PRODUCT. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL BERNARD MALTAIS, OR HIS HEIRS, OR ASSIGNS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.