how to connect an ipad with cellular to a usb receipt printer

[LKWD]

I have an iPad 9th generation (2021) with cellular.

I don't have an ethernet port in my store. would I be able to connect a usb receipt printer to a router (without any internet) and then connect the iPad to the router via Wi-Fi, and be able to print receipts???

[I already have a yearly data plan with the iPad, so I already have connection for the CC processing. Right now I'm just looking to be able to print receipts and still have the mobility to move the iPad around the store.]

Any help would be amazing.

thanks!!!

if there other options, I'm happy to hear.

[JK_Fiber_Art]

Hi LKWD,

We use an iPad, a receipt printer and a Contactless Chip Reader - what connects everything together is the Stand and USB Hub.  This setup is intended to be located in one spot - it's not designed to be mobile.   I don't believe you can use your router in the manor you're thinking to make things work.  One thought for mobility is to have a Square Terminal - it does require an internet connection, can print receipts and can be moved around within your store.  It's just my thoughts from experience - perhaps others here have some suggestions.

[Candlestore]

@LKWD ;

If you got an old router with USB port on it the Ipad would be able to connect to it and print receipts.  The problem is when the Ipad is trying to connect to the internet you may have issues.  The Ipad may try to use the WiFi network for internet which is not connected to an internet modem.  Now I have an idea for you..... If your Ipad can be a Hotspot.  Instead of getting a Router, Get a Range extender with Ethernet port and USB port.  Since my receipt printer has USB/Ethernet/Bluetooth connections I was able to use this netgear range extender...https://www.netgear.com/home/wifi/range-extenders/eax20/ 

I use this when my Internet provider goes down and need to use a Hotspot on a tablet.  I use to had an Ethernet to USB print server adapter but have since lost that.  You might be able to get one of those to connect to a ethernet port and then plug your receipt printer to that. 

The best way would be a Range Extender with a USB for your situation though.

The range extender would get the signal from the Ipad and rebroadcast the signal farther in your store and transfer data from the Ports on the range extender.  Something like this https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Networking-USB-Print-Server 

Hope this helps.

[homeprogreen]

Easiest solution would be to get a Bluetooth printer. There’s also a zebra barcode scanner that works very well with Square if you’re trying to have a functional setup without having to use the Square stand and hub

[Candlestore]

@LKWD;

Now that I have time to think and see others responses...

How big of an area are you trying to cover that does not have WiFi?

Would your Ipad as a Hotspot cover this area?  A Hotspot works as a small router letting you connect a few devices to the internet through it.  I connect a range extender 2 Square stands with Scanners, a cash drawer and a receipt printer on my Hotspot, and that is fine

Walking around the Store to print to a Bluetooth Receipt Printer kept at one location could work if you have a small store.  The Bluetooth Receipt printer needs to be plugged in most likely.  I do not think of this option since my store is 16,000 square feet.  I use a 10,000 sqft mesh network and 2 range extenders to cover 2 out buildings.  This is why I went with the range extender off your hotspot, I know this can work.  Plus since you asked about usb receipt printer, I know this can be done.

To be able to walk around check ppl out and print a reciet would require the Square Terminal.... but the Terminal needs an internet connection.... or ability to connect to a Hotspot off of a Tablet or cell phone.  Terminals are about the same as the more expensive receipt printers, or adding other hardware to mix and match parts to get your setup to work.  Keep your cell in your pocket with hotspot on, connect terminal to it and carry them all over the store.  Only thing is no cash drawer on you...lol  Square terminal can be a stand alone device or connect to a POS.

More info on Terminal : https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/6534-square-terminal-guide 

Pros and cons are more trying to figure out your area size.... Wifi repeater/extender will get you more distance...bluetooth gets you 30 feet from one device to the other approximately.  Hotspot in you pocket (cell) and a terminal gets you anywhere you have a cell signal.

Comes down to what works best for you, at your store.

But Cell or Tablet to a Router will not work since both the Router and the Cell as a Hotspot would both be trying to give out IP addresses.  Hotspot basically turns your Cell signal into your internet connection and your Cell into a mini Router.  Now if you can turn your router off and not use it to assign IP addresses to connected devices this could work if your router can connect wirelessly to another device and get an address that way.  Most cannot, but a repeater or range extender can.  

[LKWD]

Basically my store is small, but want the option to be able to have the iPad mobile, and not locked into the stand.

I’m looking for the cheapest way to connect to a printer (usb/Bluetooth/Ethernet) that won’t require any internet besides the SIM card in the iPad.

If possible would go down the Bluetooth receipt printer route, but that’s a little too much for my business to handle at this time. (I’m not able to devote more time to expand it, just want to keep it functional, and don’t really have much money to spend on that.)

Therefore, I was hoping to be able to buy a used Ethernet printer and a cheap router and total cost under $200.

the Bluetooth option seems over $350.

once on the topic, what’s the cheapest Bluetooth barcode scanner that has been tried and works with square, even though it’s not on the official list?!??

I saw on Amazon something for $75 from a company that I don’t remember.

[Candlestore]

@LKWD ;

Cheapest way I could do it with what your saying is.

If you have an old Router with Wifi, and know how to turn of DHCP in it you could use that.

Then buy a used Ethernet Printer.  No Bluetooth Scanner, use the Ipads Cameras as your scanner, to scan your barcodes.  If you have the Ipad already, you can see if you can do this.  

I have old routers all over my house since I when I signed up for internet I always had my own wifi router between the internet and the ISP's modem/router.  Some of these old routers have USB ports on them for printers.  If you have one of those you could get either a USB receipt printer or Ethernet receipt printer that would work from anywhere you have the WiFi connection in the store.   

What you ned to find is if you are using a used Wifi Router or Wifi Range extender/repeater.  Either will do for you.  Once you figure that out that will dictate what type of receipt printer you need.  USB or Ethernet

Then you can look for that type of used receipt printer.  At first I used older routers and a New receipt printer from Square.  I bought the USB/Bluetooth/Ethernet receipt printer to make sure I could connect it and future proof it with the most connections.  This is over your $200 budget alone.  

The other thing is I am not sure how good you are with setting up a router to be able to turn off the DHCP access of the router to be able to only use the Ipad to give out IP addresses to things on your network like your router an the printer.  You would need to do this as your Ipad would basically be doing what your router normally does.

Ebay has used wifi routers starting at $13.00 as long as it can be setup to accept the incoming WIFI signals from the IPAD is the question not all routers can do this wirelessly.  This is why I said about getting a wireless Repeater or Range extender.  They are built to 'listen for a wireless signal, to get that data from the Ipad to the printer, the router you may buy might be able to be configured to listen for the ipad but then again may not.  Too many variables there with the router.  

Ebay Star Ethernet receipt printer Ebay  99 plus shipping....

[Candlestore]

@LKWD;

I would get this Range extender EAX20   $65  This unit I have 3 of and they can turn off the repeating signal and just receive from the Ipad to connect the Receipt printer.

This Network Printer which connects right to the Eax20  Star Micronics SP700 SP742POS $99  Will this receipt printer work with Square is the Question tho.  Since it is made by Star I would ask them first if they know.

But if you are set on a Bluetooth Receipt printer test this before you open your store one day.

Get a bluetooth speaker or bring one from home, set it where you would have your bluetooth Receipt printer and walk around your store with the Ipad playing music to the bluetooth speaker.  See if it disconnects or starts missing sounds at all.  This would let you know if the Bluetooth Receipt printer woul loose connectivity.

Blue tooth range is 30 feet straight line in one direction....or 60x60 feet which is around 360 sqft area with no blockage.  The Wifi range extender is 1500 sqft.  

Now even added on the cheapest Bluetooth scanner you came up with at $75 is over your $200.  

Just remember just because a Bluetooth Scanner connects to the Ipad, does not mean it will work with Squares Software.   I already ran into this with USB scanners and my Square Stand.  The scanner showed on square as not recognized and would not work.  It works fine with my Chromebook and with my laptop and Google Sheets or excel, just not Squares Software.

[LKWD]

Thanks! I’ll keep you posted.