Printing From Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) on Apple Devices

Working with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) on Mac, iPhone, and iPad can include full printer support without clunky printing procedures. While Apple users might prefer their ecosystem, AVD on a Mac provides attractive and useful functionality. However, printing to network or local printers from a virtualized Windows desktop on Apple devices often needs optimization.

Often, direct printing to network printers is not possible, and support for locally connected printers is either impossible or depends on redirecting print jobs to a virtual printer that creates a PDF for download. This is partly because iPad and iPhone printing uses AirPrint.

How to Launch Azure Virtual Desktop on Mac & Apple Devices

Users can quickly launch an Azure Virtual Desktop session on Mac and iPad via the HTML5 client. They simply open the remote desktop web client in their web browser (using Microsoft Edge is recommended on macOS). After logging in to Microsoft Entra ID, the desktop appears. For extended use, the Microsoft Remote Desktop App is available for iPhone, iPadOS, and macOS, offering "non-windowed" AVD access.

Printing From Azure Virtual Desktop with Apple Devices

The standard print support on AVD varies significantly depending on how the session is accessed. Default solutions are often limited, requiring users to navigate complex options based on their access method. This can lead to increased support requests.

Why Use a Cloud Printing Provider for AVD?

A cloud printing provider like ezeep connects directly to Azure Virtual Desktop in the cloud. It manages network printers via its own protocol and addresses locally connected printers using the connector on macOS. This approach optimizes data transmission for volume and speed.

ezeep users can print, on average, six times faster. For standard corporate environments, relying on ezeep's support for network printers is recommended. Network printers can be distributed globally across different locations without needing a VPN. When working remotely or in a home office, printing to local printers is possible through the ezeep macOS connector.

Advantages of ezeep for AVD Printing

Beyond enabling basic printing from AVD on Mac to local printers, ezeep for macOS offers several benefits:

1. Very fast spooling, relieving the AVD of the print job within seconds.
2. The printing process continues even if the session ends or the MacBook closes.
3. Unified printing for both HTML5 client and the macOS Remote Desktop App.
4. High print speed and streaming means printers start jobs almost immediately, leading to high user satisfaction and preventing duplicate print jobs.

With ezeep for macOS, iPadOS, and iOS, you get simple, fast AVD printing. This reduces support costs and increases user satisfaction.