How to Add a Brother Printer to iPhone: The Ultimate Guide

Printing from your iPhone has become increasingly convenient, thanks to advancements in technology and the rise of wireless printing options. If you own a Brother printer, you’re in luck! Connecting your Brother printer to your iPhone is a straightforward process that opens up a world of printing possibilities.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of adding a Brother printer to your iPhone, whether you’re using a Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth, or Apple AirPrint. We’ll cover everything from initial setup to troubleshooting tips, ensuring you can print effortlessly from your iPhone.

Understanding the Connection Methods

Before we jump into the specific steps, let’s clarify the different ways you can connect your Brother printer to your iPhone:

• Wi-Fi: This is the most common and versatile method. It allows you to print from anywhere on your home network.
• Bluetooth: This method offers a more direct connection, ideal for printing from your iPhone in close proximity to the printer.
• Apple AirPrint: This feature built into iOS devices enables seamless printing to compatible printers without the need for additional software or drivers.

Adding Your Brother Printer Via Wi-Fi

Connecting your Brother printer to your iPhone via Wi-Fi is usually the easiest and most reliable method. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Ensure your printer and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure both devices are within range of your router.
2. Turn on your Brother printer. If it’s a new printer, you may need to complete the initial setup process.
3. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
4. Tap on “Wi-Fi” and ensure your iPhone is connected to the correct network.
5. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone and select “AirPrint & Bonjour.” This option may be labeled differently depending on your iOS version.
6. Enable “AirPrint & Bonjour” if it’s not already enabled.
7. Open the document or photo you want to print. This could be a document from a word processing app, a photo from your gallery, or a webpage from your browser.
8. Tap on the “Share” icon (usually a square with an upward arrow). This icon is typically located in the top right corner of the app.
9. Select “Print” from the list of options.
10. Choose your Brother printer from the list of available printers.
11. Adjust printing settings as needed, such as paper size, print quality, and number of copies.
12. Tap “Print” to start the printing process.

Connecting Via Bluetooth

If you prefer a more direct connection, you can use Bluetooth to connect your Brother printer to your iPhone. Here’s how:
1. Ensure both your printer and iPhone have Bluetooth enabled.
2. Put your printer in pairing mode. This usually involves pressing a button on the printer. Refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions.
3. On your iPhone, open the “Settings” app and tap on “Bluetooth.”
4. Select your Brother printer from the list of available devices.
5. Once paired, you can print from your iPhone using the same steps outlined in the Wi-Fi method.

Using Apple AirPrint

Apple AirPrint is a convenient feature that allows you to print directly from your iPhone to compatible printers without any additional setup. Here’s how to use it:
1. Ensure your Brother printer supports Apple AirPrint. Check your printer’s manual or the Brother website for compatibility information.
2. Make sure your printer and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the document or photo you want to print.
4. Follow the same steps outlined in the Wi-Fi method to access the “Print” option.
5. Select your Brother printer from the list of available printers.
6. Adjust printing settings as needed and tap “Print.”

Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter issues while connecting your Brother printer to your iPhone, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart your iPhone and printer.
• Check your printer’s manual for specific instructions on connecting to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Update your iPhone’s operating system to the latest version.
• Update your printer’s firmware to the latest version.
• Temporarily disable any firewalls or security software on your network.
• Try connecting your printer to a different Wi-Fi network.
• Contact Brother customer support for assistance.

Beyond Basic Printing: Advanced Features

Once you’ve successfully connected your Brother printer to your iPhone, you can explore additional features to enhance your printing experience:

• Print photos directly from your iPhone’s photo library: You can easily print your favorite photos, create photo albums, or even print multiple copies of a single photo.
• Print documents from cloud storage services: Many Brother printers support printing from cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud. You can access and print documents directly from these services without needing to download them to your iPhone first.
• Print webpages directly from your browser: You can print articles, recipes, or any other content you find online directly from your iPhone’s web browser.
• Customize print settings: You can adjust paper size, print quality, number of copies, and other settings to ensure optimal printing results.
• Use your iPhone as a scanner: Some Brother printers allow you to use your iPhone as a scanner to scan documents and photos directly to your phone.

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Convenience

Adding a Brother printer to your iPhone opens up a world of printing possibilities, allowing you to print documents, photos, webpages, and more directly from your mobile device. Whether you choose to connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Apple AirPrint, the process is relatively straightforward and offers a seamless printing experience.
By understanding the different connection methods and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure a smooth and efficient printing experience from your iPhone. With your Brother printer at your fingertips, you can print anything you need, anytime, anywhere.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: What if my Brother printer doesn’t support Apple AirPrint?
A: If your printer doesn’t support Apple AirPrint, you can still print from your iPhone using the Brother iPrint&Scan app. This app allows you to connect your printer to your iPhone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and print documents, photos, and webpages.
Q: Can I print from multiple iPhones to the same Brother printer?
A: Yes, you can print from multiple iPhones to the same Brother printer. As long as all devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you can select your printer from the list of available printers on each iPhone.
Q: How do I know if my Brother printer is compatible with AirPrint?
A: You can check your printer’s manual or the Brother website for compatibility information. You can also look for the AirPrint logo on the printer itself.
Q: What should I do if my printer isn’t showing up in the list of available printers?
A: First, ensure your printer and iPhone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the issue persists, check your printer’s manual for troubleshooting steps. You can also contact Brother customer support for assistance.
Q: Can I print from my iPhone to a Brother printer using a USB connection?
A: While some Brother printers offer USB connectivity, it’s not typically used for printing from iPhones. iPhones primarily rely on wireless connections like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for printing.