The modern pace of life dictates its own rules, and the need to print a document or photo directly from a smartphone arises more and more often. A situation where there is no computer at hand, but there is mobile device and a printer require a fast and reliable solution. Fortunately, wireless technology eliminates the need for wires and complicated USB cable setups, giving you the freedom to do what you want.
Company Brother has developed convenient tools for integrating its devices into home and office networks. Printing from a phone to a Brother printer via Wi-Fi has become the de facto standard, ensuring high data transfer speeds and a stable connection. In this article, we'll cover all available methods in detail, from using proprietary software to native operating system features, so you can choose the best option.
The introduction of such technologies significantly simplifies working with documents and multimedia. You no longer need to transfer files to a flash drive or email them to open them later on your PC. A couple of taps on the screen are all it takes. printer is already starting to work, saving your time and nerves.
Preparing equipment and network for work
Before setting up a wireless connection, you need to ensure all system components are ready for operation. The first step is to check the physical condition of the device and ensure it has up-to-date drivers, although mobile printing often doesn't require them in the traditional sense. Make sure your router is turned on and sending a signal, and that your printer is within a strong reception area.
It's important to understand that for both devices—the smartphone and the printer—to work correctly, they must be on the same local network. This means they must be connected to the same Wi-Fi routerIf you have a dual-band router, make sure both devices are connected to the same frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz), as some older printer models may not see the 5 GHz network.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting setup, be sure to remove the protective tape and orange tabs from inside the printer if the device is new. Ignoring this step may result in mechanical damage or printing errors that cannot be corrected using software.
It's also worth checking the ink or toner levels, as well as whether there is paper in the tray. Wireless connection This won't help if the device isn't physically ready to print. Make sure there are no error messages on the printer screen (if equipped) or indicators, such as a paper jam or an open cover.
☑️ Check before connection
Using the official Brother iPrint&Scan app
The most functional and reliable way to organize printing is to use specialized software from the manufacturer. Application Brother iPrint&Scan Available for Android and iOS, it offers advanced device control. It allows you to not only print documents but also scan and copy files, and check the status of consumables.
To get started, download and install the app from the official store (Google Play or App Store). Once launched, the program will automatically search for compatible devices on the network. If the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi, you'll see it in the list of available devices. Otherwise, the app will prompt you to complete the initial network connection setup.
The app's interface is intuitive: you select the file to print (document, photo, web page), configure the settings (paper size, media type, number of copies), and submit the task. Mobile application It also supports printing from cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox, making document management even more flexible.
What should I do if the app doesn't see the printer?
If the automatic search doesn't yield results, try restarting the app and the printer itself. Also, make sure location and Bluetooth are enabled on your smartphone, as modern OS versions require these permissions to detect devices on the local network. Manually entering the printer's IP address in the app's connection settings can sometimes help.
One of the software's key features is the ability to manage multiple devices. If you have multiple printers installed in your office or home, Brother, you can easily switch between them. This is especially convenient in large organizations where it is important to send documents to a specific device located closer to the user.p>
Printing via Wi-Fi Direct without a router
Technology Wi-Fi Direct This mode is a real lifesaver when you don't have access to your primary wireless network or router. This mode creates a direct connection between your smartphone and printer, bypassing any intermediate nodes. The printer then acts as an access point to which your phone connects.
To activate this mode, find the "Wi-Fi Direct" button or menu on the printer control panel and enable it. You'll see the network name (SSID) and password for the connection on the device's screen or in the printed network configuration report. This information must be entered in the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone.
Once paired successfully, you can send documents to print in the same way as with a normal connection.
| Parameter | Regular Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi Direct | USB cable (via OTG) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presence of a router | Necessarily | Not required | Not required |
| Internet access | Eat | Only via mobile data | Eat |
| Range of action | Up to 30-50 meters | Up to 10 meters | Cable length (up to 2 m) |
| Number of users | Multiplayer | Usually 1 device | 1 device |
This method is ideal for printing party photos or documents on business trips where network infrastructure may be limited. Data transfer speeds over a direct connection are typically fast enough for most tasks, including high-resolution photo printing.
Setting up for Android devices
The Android operating system has built-in printing support, but for devices Brother A plugin is often required. Modern versions of Android (starting with 4.4) use a printing system that automatically detects printers on the network. However, for full functionality, it is recommended to install the "Brother Print Service Plugin" from the Google Play Store.
After installing the plugin, go to your phone's settings, find the "Connections" or "Connected Devices" section, and select "Print." The Brother plugin should appear there. Make sure it's activated. The system will begin searching for printers, and if found, the status will change to "Online."
The process of printing from applications (for example, from the Chrome browser or the photo gallery) is standard: you select "Print" from the menu, select your Brother printer from the list, and confirm the action. Plugin takes on the conversion of data into a format understandable to the device.
It's worth noting that some smartphone manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) may have their own print services in the operating system shell. In such cases, the Brother plugin can integrate with them or run in parallel. If the standard method doesn't work, try using the "Search for Printers" feature in the plugin settings by manually entering the IP address.
Features of printing from iPhone and iPad (AirPrint)
Apple device owners are at an advantage thanks to technology AirPrintThis feature is built into iOS and iPadOS, allowing you to print without installing any additional drivers or apps if your printer supports this standard. Most modern Brother models are AirPrint-compatible out of the box.
To print, simply open a document or photo, click the "Share" button (the square with an arrow), and select "Print." Your Brother printer should appear in the list of printers. If it doesn't, check that AirPrint is enabled in the printer settings (usually through the web interface or the device menu).
AirPrint supports duplex printing, copy quantity, and page range selection. However, for more complex settings, such as paper type selection or toner savings, it's still better to use the proprietary app. Brother iPrint&Scan, which is also available in the App Store and integrates perfectly with the system.
⚠️ Attention: AirPrint only works if your iPhone and printer are on the same subnet. If your router is configured with Client Isolation or a guest network, AirPrint may not find the device. Temporarily disable these features to test.
AirPrint stability depends directly on the quality of your Wi-Fi signal. If the signal is weak, large files may take a long time to send or may be interrupted. In such cases, it's recommended to move closer to the router or printer before sending the job.
Diagnosing and resolving connection problems
Despite the simplicity of setup, errors can sometimes occur. The most common issue is that the phone doesn't detect the printer. In this case, first check whether the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer itself is lit. If it's blinking, the connection is in progress; if it's off, the module is disabled.
Another common cause is a change in the printer's IP address. If your router isn't configured for static address assignment (DHCP reservation), rebooting the router may cause the printer to receive a new IP address, which could reset the phone's settings. It's recommended to constrain the address in the router settings.
It's also worth checking your router's firewall or antivirus settings, as they may be blocking ports needed for printing. For a home network, the default settings are usually sufficient, but corporate networks may have limitations.