To print from phone to brother printer wirelessly, use the Brother iPrint&Scan app with both devices on the same Wi-Fi network, or use AirPrint if you have an iPhone and a compatible Brother machine. These two methods cover the most common and reliable ways to get a document or photo from your phone to your Brother printer without cables.
How to print from phone to brother printer wirelessly
Printing from a cell phone to a wireless Brother printer works through two main approaches. The first is the Brother iPrint&Scan app, which works on both iPhone and Android phones and handles photos, PDFs, and web pages. The second is AirPrint, built into iPhones and iPads, which lets you print directly from any app that has a share or print button without installing extra software. Both methods require the phone and printer to be on the same wireless network, or connected through Wi‑Fi Direct if your printer model supports it.
Check your Brother printer and phone compatibility
Before you begin, confirm that your printer and phone meet the requirements for mobile printing. For iPhone and iPad, Brother iPrint&Scan requires version 3.4 or later of the app, and the Brother printer must have firmware version 1.09 or later. Brother documents firmware 1.09 or later for the referenced iPhone/iPad support page. Brother documents version 3.4 or later for iPhone/iPad iPrint&Scan on the referenced support page. AirPrint is available on many Brother machines and does not need additional software. For Android, the Brother iPrint&Scan app works on most devices, and the Brother Print Service Plugin is supported on Android 5.0 or later. Brother documents Android 5.0 or later for Brother Print Service Plugin. Wi‑Fi Direct and NFC are only available on printer models that specifically support those features, so check your printer’s specifications if you plan to use them. Brother documents that NFC is only available on Android for models that support NFC.
Install the Brother iPrint&Scan app
Download the official Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store if you have an iPhone or iPad, or from Google Play if you have an Android phone. This app is the primary tool for mobile printing from Brother printers. Android users can also install the Brother Print Service Plugin from Google Play, which allows printing from any app that has a system print button.
Connect your Brother printer to your Wi-Fi network
Your phone and Brother printer must be on the same wireless network for normal printing. The exact menu path to connect the printer to Wi‑Fi varies by model, so refer to your printer’s manual or on-screen instructions. Brother does not give one universal print menu path for every printer model in the pages retrieved; the exact setup steps vary by model and connection method. If your printer supports Wi‑Fi Direct, you can create a direct wireless connection between the printer and your phone without needing a router or access point. This is useful in environments without a stable Wi‑Fi network.
Print from your iPhone or iPad using AirPrint or iPrint&Scan
For iPhone and iPad users, AirPrint is the simplest method. Open the document, photo, or email you want to print, tap the share icon or the print button, select your Brother printer from the list, adjust settings like copies or page range, and tap Print. If you prefer the Brother iPrint&Scan app, open the app, select the file type (photo, document, or web page), choose the file from your device, adjust print settings, and tap Print. Both methods work after the phone and printer are on the same network.
Print from your Android phone using iPrint&Scan or Print Service Plugin
On Android, open the Brother iPrint&Scan app, select the document or photo you want to print, adjust settings such as paper size and color, and tap Print. For printing from other apps, install the Brother Print Service Plugin. This plugin makes mobile printing available from almost any app on your Android device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file types can I print from my phone to a Brother printer?
The Brother iPrint&Scan app supports printing photos, PDF files, web pages, and common document formats. AirPrint also supports PDF, images, and standard office documents. The exact list depends on the app and printer model.
Why won’t my phone find my Brother printer on the network?
Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi‑Fi network. Restart the printer and phone, and check that the printer firmware is up to date. If using Wi‑Fi Direct, ensure the printer model supports it and that the connection is active.
Can I print from cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox?
Yes. The Brother iPrint&Scan app can access files from cloud storage services, allowing you to print documents without downloading them to your phone first. AirPrint also supports printing from many cloud-connected apps.
Do I need an internet connection to print from my phone?
You need a local network connection between the phone and printer. If both are on the same Wi‑Fi network, no internet access is required for printing. Wi‑Fi Direct also works without an internet connection.
What should I do if the print quality is poor or colors are wrong?
Check that your printer has enough ink or toner and that the paper type and print quality settings in the app match what you are using. Cleaning the print heads through the printer’s maintenance menu can also improve output.
For the wider topic, see wireless printer setup.
