In today's digital world, the need to instantly print a document or photo directly from a smartphone is becoming not a luxury, but a daily necessity. Mobile printing It allows you to forget about wires and complicated computer settings, turning this process into a few simple touches on the screen. If you own Japanese brand equipment Brother, then you're in luck, as their devices are renowned for their reliability and well-designed software.
However, despite the stated simplicity, the primary setting up a wireless connection This often causes difficulties for users. Many experience problems with their phones not recognizing their printer, or the connection being lost at the most inopportune moment. In this article, we'll explore all the current methods for pairing devices, paying special attention to the nuances of networking. Wi-Fi.
We will look at the official methods through the app Brother iPrint&Scan, technology Wi-Fi Direct for direct connection without a router, as well as native functions of Android and iOS operating systems. Understanding these mechanisms will help you not only get setup right the first time but also effectively troubleshoot potential issues in the future without calling a service center.
Preparation of equipment and software
Before you start syncing your devices, you need to make sure your equipment is wirelessly ready. Most modern models Brother They are equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi module, but older or budget versions may require an external USB adapter. Check your model's specifications on the official website or in the manual to rule out hardware incompatibility.
A critical requirement is that the smartphone and printer are on the same local network. This means both devices must be connected to the same router. If your router broadcasts two networks (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure your phone is connected to the same frequency as the printer, as many older models MFP (multifunctional devices) do not support the 5 GHz band.
- 📱 Make sure your smartphone's Wi-Fi module is turned on and active.
- 🔌 The printer must be turned on and in standby mode (not in deep sleep).
- 📶 Check the stability of the router signal where the printing machine is installed.
- 💾 Download the required application from Google Play or the App Store in advance.
⚠️ Attention: On corporate networks with advanced security settings (Enterprise Wi-Fi), automatic connections may be blocked by the administrator. In such cases, additional authentication parameters or the use of a guest network are required.
It's also a good idea to prepare your home network login details in advance. Although modern methods, such as WPS, allow you to connect without entering a password. Knowing the security key (PSK) is always useful in case automatic setup fails. Write down the SSID (network name) and password if you don't have them saved on your phone.
Using the official Brother iPrint&Scan app
The most functional and stable way to manage printing is to use the manufacturer's proprietary software. Application Brother iPrint&Scan Available for both mobile platforms, it provides access not only to document printing, but also to scanning and monitoring ink levels in cartridges.
After installing the app, launch it and wait for the initial check to complete. The program will automatically attempt to find available devices on your network. If the printer has already been connected to the router, it should appear in the list of available devices. Click the model name to complete the pairing.
If the automatic search doesn't yield any results, select "Set up a new device" or "Add a printer." Follow the on-screen instructions: the app will prompt you to select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password. At this point, your smartphone will transfer the network settings directly to the printer.
☑️ Check before launching the application
It's important to note that during the setup process, the app may request permission to access the local network. This is a system requirement for iOS and Android, which Necessarily You must confirm this permission, otherwise it will be impossible to search for devices. Without this permission, the app simply won't "see" the printer, even if they are physically nearby.
Setup via Wi-Fi Direct without a router
Technology Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to create a direct wireless connection between your phone and printer, bypassing your home router. This is ideal for situations when you need to quickly print a document while visiting someone, in an office with a closed network, or if your main router is temporarily down.
To activate this mode on the printer Brother Usually it is enough to press the corresponding button on the control panel or through the menu Menu → Network → Wi-Fi DirectOnce powered on, the device's screen (or printed configuration report) will display the network name (SSID) and password for connection. This information is unique to each device and is often printed on a sticker on the device's casing.
The next steps are similar to connecting to regular Wi-Fi: go to your smartphone's wireless network settings, find a network with a name beginning with "DIRECT-" or containing your Brother model, and enter the password. Once connected, your phone will receive the printer's IP address, and you'll be able to send print jobs.
Wi-Fi Direct limitations
When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, your phone may temporarily lose internet access as it switches to a direct connection with the printer. To return to the network, you'll need to manually switch back to your home Wi-Fi after printing.
It is worth considering that when using Wi-Fi Direct Data transfer speeds may be lower than through a full-fledged router, especially when printing large photos or large PDF files. Furthermore, in this mode, only one mobile client can be connected to the printer at a time.
Printing from Android: Built-in Tools and Google Print
Operating system users Android can use the system's built-in tools without installing third-party apps. Starting with Android 4.4, the system includes a service Google Cloud Print (although its support is gradually being phased out in favor of Mopria) and a standard printing service.
To set up, go to Settings → Connections → PrintingHere you will see a list of available plugins. If the printer Brother If your printer is on the same network, it may be detected automatically by Mopria. If not, you'll need to download the "Brother Print Service Plugin" from the Google Play store.
After installing the plugin, activate it in the print settings menu. Now, when you open any document, photo, or page and select "Print" from the SHARE menu, you'll see your printer listed. The system will automatically select the necessary drivers and formatting.
| Connection method | The need for a router | Internet access | Difficulty of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brother iPrint&Scan | Required | Not required | Low |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Not required | Absent | Average |
| Google/Mopria | Required | Not required | Low |
| Apple AirPrint | Required | Not required | Minimum |
Please note that some Android OS manufacturers (such as Samsung or Xiaomi) may hide the print menu deep within the settings. In this case, the easiest way to find it is to search for "Print" in your phone's settings.
Printing from iPhone and iPad (Apple AirPrint)
For device owners Apple luckiest of all: technology AirPrint Built directly into the iOS and iPadOS operating systems, this means you don't need to download anything, install drivers, or register for services to print documents, photos from your gallery, or Safari pages.
The only requirement is a printer. Brother Your device and iPhone must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Open a document or photo, tap the "Share" icon (the square with an upward-facing arrow), and select "Print" from the action menu. Under "Printers," tap "Select Printer"—your device should appear in the list automatically.
If the printer isn't found, check to see if "Cellular Data" is enabled on your phone while Wi-Fi is off, although iOS usually switches automatically. Also, make sure "AP Isolation" isn't enabled on your router, as it prevents devices on the network from "seeing" each other.
AirPrint functionality not only allows you to print, but also manage the job queue, cancel an ongoing print, and select a range of pages directly from the iOS interface. This makes the process extremely convenient and intuitive, even for inexperienced users.
Solved connection problems and errors
Even if you strictly follow the instructions, technical difficulties may arise. One of the most common issues is when the phone sees the printer's network but fails to connect, returning the error "Failed to connect." This is often resolved by simply restarting the router and the printer itself, which clears the network error cache.
Another common cause is an incorrectly entered Wi-Fi password. Remember that the password is case-sensitive. If you're entering it manually using the printer's remote control, it's easy to make a mistake. In such cases, it's best to use the WPS method (pressing a button on the router and the printer) or connect to a computer via USB cable to perform the initial Wi-Fi setup using a utility. Brother Utilities.
- 🔄 Restart your router and printer by unplugging them for 30 seconds.
- 📡 Check if your router has MAC address filtering enabled.
- 📉 Make sure the Wi-Fi signal is strong enough where the printer is located.
- 🆔 Reset your printer's network settings to factory defaults and try again.
⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and printer menus may vary depending on the firmware version. If you don't see the option described, check the user manual for your specific model on the manufacturer's official website.
If your printer disconnects from the network after a while, it's possible that your router assigns it a new IP address each time it connects (dynamic IP). For stable operation in the office, we recommend assigning a static IP address to the printer in the router settings, linking it to the device's MAC address.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a Brother printer to a phone without the Internet?
Yes, this is possible using Wi-Fi Direct technology. In this mode, the phone connects directly to the printer, creating a local network. The phone's internet connection will be disabled at this point, but printing will still be successful.
Why doesn't my phone see my printer in the iPrint&Scan app?
Most likely, the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one on 2.4 GHz, the other on 5 GHz) or a guest network is enabled, isolating the devices. Also, check the app's local network access permissions in your phone settings.
Do older Brother models support wireless printing?
Many older models don't have built-in Wi-Fi. These will require either purchasing a separate USB Wi-Fi adapter (if supported), connecting the printer to a computer that will act as a print server, or using an OTG cable for a direct connection to Android.
How to print photos from an iPhone if the printer is old?
If your old printer doesn't support AirPrint, try searching the App Store for third-party printing apps (such as PrintHand), which may have their own drivers for older models, or use your computer as an intermediary.