Using AirCastPro and an iPad with Cellular Data

Print with AirCastPro 3 While Using Your iPad's Cellular Data

If your iPad has built-in cellular data, you can connect to AirCastPro 3 for printing while continuing to use your iPad's cellular connection for internet access. This is helpful when you need printing and online features such as text messaging, guest sharing, AI, uploads, or social media sharing at the same event.

New: Smart Connect, included with AirCastPro 3 Build 468 or higher

Smart Connect lets you connect your cellular-enabled iPad to AirCastPro 3 for printing while continuing to use cellular data for internet access, without manually editing network settings or needing a dedicated hotspot.

To get Smart Connect, upgrade your AirCastPro 3 to Build 468 or higher. Visit aircastpro.com/update for update instructions.

Recommended: Use Smart Connect

Update your AirCastPro 3 to Build 468 or higher.
On your iPad, open Settings > Cellular Data or Cellular and confirm cellular data is turned on and your data plan is active.
Open Settings > Wi-Fi and connect to the AirCastPro hotspot.
Open your photo booth app, select its AirPrint option, and choose your AirCastPro printer.
Print a test photo, then test an online feature such as guest sharing or an upload.

With Smart Connect, your iPad stays connected to AirCastPro 3 for printing while using its cellular connection for data. You do not need to manually change the IP Address, Subnet Mask, or Router fields.

If you previously used the manual setup below, return the AirCastPro Wi-Fi connection to Configure IP > Automatic before using Smart Connect.

Remember: Your iPad must have built-in cellular capability and an active cellular data connection. Keep it connected to the AirCastPro hotspot for printing, and test both printing and online sharing before your event.

Older Builds: Manual Wi-Fi Setup

The following workaround is for AirCastPro setups without Smart Connect. For AirCastPro 3, we recommend updating to Build 468 or higher and using Smart Connect instead.

Important: AirCastPro does not offer technical support for the manual configuration below.

If you cannot use Smart Connect, our recommendation is to use an external hotspot instead of manually configuring your iPad's built-in cellular connection. If you choose the manual configuration, test it well before your event.

How the Manual Setup Works

By default, iPadOS may try to send internet traffic through the Wi-Fi network you are connected to. Since the AirCastPro hotspot is used for local printing and may not provide internet access, your iPad may show No Internet Connection while connected to AirCastPro.

Manually configuring the AirCastPro Wi-Fi connection and leaving the Router field blank tells iPadOS not to use that connection for internet access, while still allowing the iPad to communicate with AirCastPro for printing.

Step 1: Connect to the AirCastPro Hotspot

Open Settings > Wi-Fi on your iPad.
Select the AirCastPro hotspot and wait for the iPad to connect.

You may see No Internet Connection. This is expected if AirCastPro is not connected to the internet.

Step 2: Record the Current Wi-Fi Settings

In Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info (i) button next to the AirCastPro network.
Locate the IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Router fields.
Before changing anything, write down or copy the current IP Address and Subnet Mask.

Step 3: Change Configure IP to Manual

Tap Configure IP and select Manual.
Enter the same IP Address and Subnet Mask that were previously shown.
Leave the Router field blank.
Tap Save.

Important: Do not enter anything in the Router field. Leaving it blank allows your iPad to stay connected to AirCastPro for printing while using cellular data for internet access.

Example Settings

Your numbers may be different. Use the IP Address and Subnet Mask already shown on your iPad before switching to Manual.

IP Address: Example only, 192.168.4.31
Subnet Mask: Example only, 255.255.255.0
Router: Leave blank

Step 4: Confirm Cellular Data Is Enabled

Open Settings > Cellular Data or Cellular.
Confirm cellular data is turned on and your data plan is active.

Step 5: Test Printing and Internet Access

Open your photo booth app and select the AirPrint option.
Choose your AirCastPro printer and print a test photo.
Test an online feature such as guest sharing or an upload to confirm cellular internet access is working too.

A successful test print confirms printing is working. Test an online feature separately to confirm internet access.

iPad network settings for the manual cellular data configuration

Optional: Manual Tethered Networking with Ethernet

If you use a USB-C to Ethernet adapter to connect your iPad directly to AirCastPro, the following manual workaround leaves the Router field blank. This is separate from the Smart Connect Wi-Fi setup described above and is also an unsupported manual configuration.

Connect the USB-C to Ethernet adapter to your iPad.
Connect an Ethernet cable between the adapter and AirCastPro.
Open Settings > Ethernet and select the Ethernet connection.
Copy the current IP Address and Subnet Mask.
Tap Configure IP and select Manual.
Enter the same IP Address and Subnet Mask.
Leave the Router field blank and tap Save.
Confirm cellular data is enabled, then test both printing and internet access.

For more information, see Tethered Networking with AirCastPro.

Best Practices

Use Smart Connect on AirCastPro 3 Build 468 or higher for the simplest Wi-Fi setup with a cellular-enabled iPad.
Confirm your cellular data connection is active and has adequate signal at the venue.
Keep your iPad connected to the AirCastPro hotspot when printing over Wi-Fi.
Test both printing and online features before guests arrive.
If using the manual workaround, record your current IP Address and Subnet Mask before making changes, and leave the Router field blank.

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