The ShipHero mobile app connects directly to Zebra label printers over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, no desktop station or third-party print routing tool required. Warehouse teams can print barcodes from any iPhone or iPad on the warehouse floor.
Before You Begin
- Supported Zebra printer required: Your printer must be on the list of supported models and have a Wi-Fi module or Bluetooth Classic. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) alone can connect but cannot print.
- Barcodes only: Only the Barcodes print task is supported today. Labels and Reports & Documents are not yet available.
- iPhone or iPad running a supported iOS version with the ShipHero mobile app installed (latest version recommended).
- For Wi-Fi printers: your device and the printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network and subnet.
- For Bluetooth printers: the printer must be paired in iOS Settings → Bluetooth before opening the ShipHero app.
- Location and Bluetooth permissions must be granted when prompted. To re-enable them at any time, go to iOS Settings → ShipHero.
Allow Location and Bluetooth Permissions
When the app asks for permission to scan for nearby devices, tap Allow. If you deny the prompt, printer discovery will not work.
Table of Contents
- Connect a Wi-Fi Printer to ShipHero Mobile
- Connect a Bluetooth Printer to ShipHero Mobile
- Configure Print Tasks in ShipHero Mobile
- Manage Saved Printers in ShipHero Mobile
- Supported Zebra Printer Models
Connect a Wi-Fi Printer to ShipHero Mobile
Wi-Fi printers connect over your local network using a TCP/IP address. There are two ways to add one: scan the network automatically, or enter the IP address manually.
Option A: Scan for Wi-Fi Printers in ShipHero Mobile
- Go to the app menu, tap Printers, and select Add Printer.
- Tap Scan for BT or WiFi printers. Grant the permission prompt if shown. The app scans for 15 seconds.
- Tap your printer from the discovered list (for example, "Zebra ZQ630").
- Enter a name for the printer and finish the setup form. See Configure Print Tasks in ShipHero Mobile for what each field does.
- Tap Save. The printer appears in your saved printers list.
Option B: Add a Printer by IP Address in ShipHero Mobile
Any printer with a reachable IP address on your network can be added this way, whether it connects over Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet cable. The connection method doesn't matter; what matters is that the printer has an assigned IP address and that your iPad or iPhone is on the same network and subnet.
- Go to the app menu, tap Printers, and tap IP Address.
- Enter the printer's IP address (for example, 192.168.1.50), protocol, and port. The default port is 9100.
- Tap Connect. The app validates the IP format and saves the configuration.
- Tap Test Connection to confirm the printer is reachable before starting work.
The connection test times out after 5 seconds. If it fails, confirm the printer is powered on and that your device is on the same network and subnet as the printer. For wired printers, this means your iPad's Wi-Fi network must route to the printer's wired network.
| Open Printers page | Add printer | Select how to connect |
|---|---|---|
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Connect a Bluetooth Printer to ShipHero Mobile
Bluetooth printers must be paired at the iOS system level before the ShipHero app can discover them. The app will not find an unpaired device.
Pair the Printer in iOS Settings First
Go to iOS Settings → Bluetooth and pair your Zebra printer before opening the ShipHero app. Skipping this step means the printer will not appear during the scan.
- Go to iOS Settings → Bluetooth and pair the Zebra printer.
- Open the ShipHero app, tap Printers in the menu, and select Add Printer.
- Tap Scan for BT or WiFi printers. Grant the permission prompt if shown. The app scans for 15 seconds.
- Tap the printer from the discovered list. The paired printer appears automatically.
- Enter a name for the printer and finish the setup form. See Configure Print Tasks in ShipHero Mobile for what each field does.
- Tap Save. The printer appears in your saved list with a live connection status badge.
| Open Printers page | Add printer | Select how to connect |
|---|---|---|
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Configure Print Tasks in ShipHero Mobile
Each saved printer has its own print task configuration. Set this when you first add a printer, or any time the printer's role changes. The table below covers every setting; the sections after it go deeper on the ones that trip people up.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Printer name | The name shown in the printers list and print routing prompts. Use a descriptive name like "Shipping dock Zebra" to make it easy to identify. |
| DPI | Dots per inch for the printer, applied to all print tasks. Auto-detected and locked when the printer reports it; otherwise selectable (203, 300, or 600). |
| Barcodes | Assigns this printer to handle SKU, LPN, and location barcodes. |
| Paper size | The paper size loaded in the printer. Required for each assigned print task type. If the size you select differs from the printer's configured size, ShipHero shows a warning; you can still save, but printing may not work as expected. |
| Print orientation | Portrait (vertical) or Landscape (horizontal) for each assigned task type. |
Set the Printer DPI in ShipHero Mobile
DPI (dots per inch) is set once per printer and applies to every print task on that device. When you connect a printer, ShipHero tries to read the DPI directly from the hardware:
- If the DPI is detected, the field displays the printer's value (for example, 203) and is greyed out. You don't need to change anything: the value comes from the printer itself.
- If the DPI can't be detected, the field is enabled and you select it manually from the dropdown. Available values are 203, 300, and 600. Choose the value that matches your printer's specification.
Available print task: Barcodes is the only print task available at this time. Labels and Reports & Documents are not yet supported.
For the steps to print a product barcode while receiving an inbound shipment, see Additional Mobile Inbound Receiving Features.
Paper Size Mismatch Warning
If the paper size selected in the app differs from the size configured on the printer, ShipHero displays the warning: "This paper size differs from the size configured on the printer." This warning is not blocking. You can save and print, but a mismatch may cause labels to print incorrectly or be cut off. Confirm the loaded label matches the selected size before printing.
When you trigger a print action for a job type with no printer assigned, the app prompts you to select a printer or update your configuration.
Manage Saved Printers in ShipHero Mobile
The Printers screen lists all saved printers with their name, connection method, and current status. From this screen you can edit, remove, or test any saved printer.
| Printers list | Printer menu options | Edit printer page |
|---|---|---|
Edit Zebra Printer Settings in ShipHero Mobile
- Go to Printers and tap the printer you want to update.
- Tap the 3-dot menu and select Edit Settings.
- Update any of the printer's settings. See Configure Print Tasks in ShipHero Mobile for details on each field.
- Tap Save. Changes take effect immediately for the next print job.
Remove a Zebra Printer from ShipHero Mobile
- Go to Printers and tap the printer you want to remove.
- Tap Remove and confirm the warning.
This Cannot Be Undone
Removing a printer permanently deletes it and all its saved settings from the app.
Test a Wi-Fi Printer Connection in ShipHero Mobile
The connection test is available for Wi-Fi printers only. It sends a ping to the printer's saved IP address and port to confirm it is reachable.
- Go to Printers and tap the Wi-Fi printer you want to test.
- Tap Test Printer. The status changes to "Checking availability."
- If the connection succeeds, the status updates to Available now. If it fails, the status shows Not in range.
Supported Zebra Printer Models
ShipHero only works with specific Zebra printer models. If your printer isn't on this list, it can't connect to the ShipHero mobile app.
Zebra Printer Connectivity Requirements: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Classic, and BLE
Being on the supported models list isn't enough on its own. Your printer also needs the right wireless radio built in. ShipHero can only send print jobs to printers with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Classic. Many Zebra printers let you add these radios as an option instead of including them by default, so two printers of the same model can have different radios: one might have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth Classic, and another might have neither.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Is Not Enough
Most Zebra printers include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), even ones with no Wi-Fi and no Bluetooth Classic. BLE only handles setup and diagnostics. It can't send print jobs. If your printer only has BLE, ShipHero will show it as connected, but it won't print. Check your printer's spec sheet or configuration label to see which wireless options it has, or ask your Zebra representative before you buy.
| Category | Models |
|---|---|
| Mobile / Portable | ZQ630, ZQ630 Plus, ZQ630R, ZQ620, ZQ620 Plus, ZQ620 Plus-HC, ZQ610, ZQ610 Plus, ZQ610 Plus-HC, ZQ521, ZQ521R, ZQ511, ZQ511R, ZQ210, ZQ220 Plus, ZQ310 Plus, ZQ320 Plus |
| Desktop | ZD621, ZD621-HC, ZD621R, ZD611, ZD611-HC, ZD611R, ZD421, ZD421-HC, ZD411, ZD411-HC |
HC models are built for healthcare use. R models include RFID. ShipHero supports both the same way it supports standard models.