Using mobile devices for office tasks has long ceased to be a rarity, and there is often an urgent need to print a document or photo directly from iPhoneEquipment owners Brother They can use built-in iOS features to complete tasks without using a computer. This saves time and allows them to work remotely, without being tied to a desktop computer.
Modern models of printing equipment support wireless data transmission according to the standard AirPrint, making the process as simple as possible. You won't need to search for drivers or connect complex cables if both devices are on the same network. However, there are some nuances to configuring the router and the printer itself that you should be aware of beforehand.
In this article, we'll cover every step of setting up wireless printing, from connecting your equipment to the router to troubleshooting common errors. You'll learn how to use the official app for advanced functionality and what to do if your device doesn't see your printer in the list of available printers.
Preparing the equipment and WiFi network
The first and most critical step is to ensure a unified network environment for both devices. Your iPhone and a printer Brother must be connected to the same WiFi routerIf your phone uses mobile internet (3G/4G/5G) and your printer uses your home network, communication between them is impossible without additional settings.
Make sure "Client Isolation" isn't enabled on your router. This security feature prevents devices on your local network from communicating with each other, preventing printing. It's typically disabled by default, but on corporate networks or guest areas, it can be enabled by the administrator.
⚠️ Note: Signal frequency is 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Some older printer models Brother Only support the 2.4 GHz band. If your router broadcasts two different networks with different names, make sure both your phone and printer are connected to one of them, preferably 2.4 GHz for best compatibility.
Check the signal strength where the printer is installed. A weak signal can cause large file transfers to be interrupted or the printer to disappear from the list of available devices entirely. If the printer is located far from the router, consider moving it or using a different network. WiFi repeater.
Connecting a Brother printer to a wireless network
Before attempting to print from your phone, make sure the device itself is successfully connected to the internet. On most models Brother With a display, this is done through the menu. Press the button Menu or Settings on the control panel, then go to the section Network or WLAN.
Select an item Wizard (Setup Wizard). The device will begin searching for available networks. When you see your network's name in the list, select it and enter the password using the on-screen keyboard or navigation buttons. After successful entry, the display will typically show the IP address or the message "Connected."
- 📶 Make sure the WiFi indicator on the printer is on solid and not blinking.
- 🔑 The WiFi password is case-sensitive, so check your uppercase and lowercase letters carefully.
- 🔄 If the network is hidden, select the "Other" or "Manual" option and enter the network name (SSID) manually.
For models without a display, the procedure may differ. Often, a short press of the WiFi button on the device is required, after which the device enters setup mode. In this case, it is most convenient to use the WPS, if your router supports this function, or use the temporary mode Wi-Fi Direct for initial configuration via browser.
☑️ Checking the printer connection
Printing via the built-in AirPrint protocol
The easiest way to send a document to print is to use a native iOS feature called AirPrintThis technology doesn't require any additional drivers or complex setup. The main requirement is compatibility with a model that has been confirmed for most modern devices. Brother.
Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print. Tap the Share icon (square with an arrow pointing up) or the three dots in the corner of the screen, then select Print. In the Printer menu that appears, tap Select Printer.
The system will automatically scan the network and find available devices. If your printer Brother appears in the list; simply select it. You can customize the number of copies, page range, and choose black and white or color printing. Click "Print" in the upper right corner, and the job will be sent.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | AirPrint | Use as default |
| Paper format | A4, Letter, Photo | Check in settings before printing |
| Double-sided | Auto / Long Edge | Enable for documents |
| Scale | Fit to Page | To avoid cropping of fields |
If the device isn't found, try refreshing the list by swiping down on the screen or restarting the app you're printing from. Sometimes, temporarily disabling and re-enabling WiFi on the device itself helps. iPhone.
Using the Brother iPrint&Scan app
For users who require advanced functionality, the official manufacturer offers a free app. Brother iPrint&ScanIt is available in App Store and allows you to not only print, but also scan documents directly to your phone, as well as check ink levels.
After installation, launch the app. It will automatically search for devices on the network. If a printer is found, you'll see its model on the main screen. The app's interface is more informative than the standard iOS menu and provides access to print quality and paper type settings.
- 🖨️ Print photos with cropping options and choice of photo paper type.
- 📄 Scan to PDF or JPEG format and send directly to the cloud.
- 📊 Real-time monitoring of cartridge and toner status.
The application is especially useful if the standard AirPrint It's unstable or doesn't support certain specific features of your model. Furthermore, it allows you to easily update your device's firmware, which often resolves compatibility issues with new versions of iOS.
What should I do if the app doesn't see the printer?
Make sure you've given the app permission to access your local network. In iOS 14 and later, the "Allow access to devices on your local network?" prompt appears when you first launch the app. If you accidentally select "No," the app won't be able to find the printer. You can fix this in your iPhone's settings: find the app in the list of apps and turn on the "Local Network" toggle.
Setting up WiFi Direct for printing without a router
Situations where a router is unavailable or configured with complex restrictions are common. In such cases, technology comes to the rescue. WiFi DirectIt allows you to create a direct wireless connection between iPhone and a printer Brother, bypassing the router.
To activate the mode, find the button on the printer panel WiFi Direct Or go to the network menu and enable this feature. You'll see the network name (SSID) and password for connecting on the device's screen or on the printed Network Report.
Go to your WiFi settings iPhoneA new network will appear in the list of available networks. Its name will include the printer model or the word "Direct." Connect to it by entering the password. Now your phone and printer are directly connected, and you can print via AirPrint or the app as if they were on the same network.
⚠️ Please note: When using WiFi Direct, your phone may temporarily lose internet access as it switches to a direct connection to the printer. Some models Brother support "Group Mode", which allows you to work on the Internet and print at the same time, but this requires additional configuration.
Troubleshooting connection issues and errors
Even with proper configuration, issues may still occur. One common issue is the "Not Connected" or "Waiting" status. This is often due to a change in the printer's IP address, unless the router has reserved a static address for the device. Dynamic address changes can interrupt the connection to the phone.
Another reason is outdated software. Router firmware and the iOS operating system are constantly updated, and older versions of the printer software may no longer work correctly. Check the manufacturer's official website for the latest version.
- 🔌 Restart your router and printer: unplug both devices for 30 seconds, then turn on the router, wait until it fully boots up, and only then turn on the printer.
- 🔥 Check the firewall settings on your router; they should not block the ports used for printing (usually 9100, 515, 631).
- 📱 Remove the printer from the list of devices on your iPhone (Settings -> General -> Printers & Scanners) and add it again.
If all else fails, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults. This will delete all saved WiFi passwords and configurations, after which you'll need to reconnect the device to the network.
Why can't my iPhone see my Brother printer even though WiFi is on?
The most common cause is that the devices are on different subnets (for example, one is a guest network, the other is the main network) or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, check if you're using a VPN on your phone, which could be redirecting traffic outside the local network.
Is it possible to print via Bluetooth on a Brother?
No, printers Brother Home and Office apps do not support Bluetooth printing from iOS. Wireless communication uses only WiFi (AirPrint) or WiFi Direct.
How to find out the IP address of a printer?
Click the button Menu on your device, go to Network -> WLAN -> IP AddressAlternatively, print a network configuration report by selecting the appropriate item from the menu or by holding down the report button (if available).
Does printing work with a Lightning USB cable?
Direct connection via a Lightning-to-USB cable is only possible for models that support the Print via USB feature and require the Apple Camera Connection Kit adapter. However, wireless connection is much more convenient and is supported by all modern models.