Brother Printer AirPrint: How to Set It Up

Yes, many Brother printers support AirPrint, allowing you to print wirelessly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without installing drivers. To use it, your Brother printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple device, and the printer must have AirPrint enabled in its settings. This article explains how to confirm your printer’s compatibility, set it up, and troubleshoot common issues.

What Is AirPrint and How Does It Work on Brother Printers?

AirPrint is Apple’s built-in wireless printing protocol that lets iOS and macOS devices send print jobs directly to compatible printers over a local network. It requires no driver installation, no app, and no configuration on the Apple device—you simply select the printer from the share sheet or print dialog. Brother implemented AirPrint on most of its wireless inkjet and laser printers released after 2010, including popular models like the HL-L2350DW, MFC-J995DW, and DCP-L2550DW. The printer itself runs a small AirPrint server that receives the job and renders it, so the iPhone or Mac just sends standard PDF or image data.

For the system to work, both devices must be on the same subnet (usually the same home or office Wi-Fi). The printer must be connected to that network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet—AirPrint does not work over a direct USB connection. On the Apple side, iOS 4.2 or later and macOS 10.6 or later include AirPrint support, so virtually any modern iPhone, iPad, or Mac can use it.

How to Check If Your Brother Printer Supports AirPrint

Not every Brother printer has AirPrint, especially older models or some entry-level mono lasers. Here are three quick ways to verify:

Look for the AirPrint logo on the printer’s box or in the manual. Brother prints the AirPrint badge on packaging for compatible models.
Check the printer’s control panel—go to the network or Wi-Fi settings menu and look for an “AirPrint” option. If it’s there, the printer supports it.
Visit Brother’s support site and search for your model’s specifications. The “Mobile Printing” or “Connectivity” section will list AirPrint if supported.

If your printer does not support AirPrint, you can still print from an iPhone or iPad using the Brother iPrint&Scan app, which works over Wi-Fi with most Brother printers. The app is free and available on the App Store, but it requires installing the app and sometimes a one-time setup.

How to Set Up AirPrint on a Brother Printer

Setting up AirPrint is usually straightforward, but the exact steps depend on whether your printer already has Wi-Fi configured. Here’s the general process:

Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Use the printer’s control panel or the Brother Setup Wizard. Most models have a “Network” or “Wi-Fi” button that walks you through entering your network password. Alternatively, use the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) method: press the WPS button on your router, then press the WPS button on the printer within two minutes.
Enable AirPrint on the printer. On most Brother printers, AirPrint is enabled by default. To verify, go to the printer’s network settings and look for “AirPrint” or “Mobile Printing.” If it’s off, turn it on.
Make sure the printer and Apple device are on the same network. Check the iPhone’s Wi-Fi name and the printer’s network status—they must match exactly (including the 5 GHz band; some printers only work on 2.4 GHz).
Print from your Apple device. Open a document or photo, tap the Share icon, select Print, choose your Brother printer from the list, and tap Print. No driver download is needed.

If your printer was previously connected to a different Wi-Fi network, you may need to reset its network settings before reconnecting. On many Brother models, holding the Wi-Fi button for three seconds enters setup mode.

Common AirPrint Problems and How to Fix Them

Even with a compatible printer, AirPrint can fail. Here are the most frequent issues and their fixes:

Printer not showing up in the print list. Restart both the printer and the iPhone/iPad. Then check that the printer’s Wi-Fi is active and the device is on the same network. If the printer has a firewall or access control, temporarily disable it.
Print job stuck in queue. Open the printer’s web interface (usually by typing its IP address into a browser) and cancel all pending jobs. On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > Print & Scan, tap the printer, and delete any stuck documents.
AirPrint works on Mac but not iPhone. This often indicates the printer is on a different network band. Some routers use separate networks for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz; make sure your iPhone and printer are on the same band.
Printer goes offline. The printer may have entered sleep mode. Wake it by pressing a button, then try again. Also, check if the printer’s IP address changed—if so, the iPhone may have cached the old one. Restart the iPhone to refresh the printer list.
AirPrint is grayed out or not available. Some Brother models require you to enable AirPrint in the printer’s network settings via the web interface. Log in to the printer’s IP address, go to Network > Mobile Printing, and ensure AirPrint is set to “On.”

If none of these work, update the printer’s firmware from Brother’s support site. Firmware updates often fix AirPrint bugs.

AirPrint vs. Brother iPrint&Scan: Which Should You Use?

AirPrint is the simplest option because it’s built into iOS and macOS—no extra software. It works with the standard print dialog and supports basic options like paper size, orientation, and copies. However, AirPrint does not give access to advanced printer features like duplex printing settings, quality adjustments, or scanning.

Brother iPrint&Scan, on the other hand, is a dedicated app that offers more control. You can select paper type, adjust print quality, and even scan documents from the printer to your phone. It also supports printing from cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. The downside is you must install the app and, on some models, configure it with the printer’s IP address. For most users, AirPrint is enough for everyday printing; use iPrint&Scan when you need scanning or fine-tuned print settings.

AirPrint Security and Network Considerations

AirPrint operates over your local network, so it’s generally secure as long as your Wi-Fi is password-protected. However, anyone on the same network can see your printer and potentially send print jobs. To prevent unauthorized use, enable the printer’s access control feature (if available) or set a PIN for printing from the control panel. For office networks, consider placing the printer on a separate VLAN or using the printer’s firewall settings to restrict access to specific IP addresses.

Also note that AirPrint does not work over the internet or when the printer is connected via a guest network that isolates devices. If you travel with a portable Brother printer, you must connect it to the same local network as your phone each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AirPrint work with Brother laser printers?

Yes, most Brother laser printers (mono and color) support AirPrint, including models like the HL-L2350DW and MFC-L2710DW. Check the specifications for your specific model, but if it has Wi-Fi and was made after 2012, it likely supports AirPrint.

Why is my Brother printer not showing up on AirPrint?

The most common reason is that the printer and iPhone are on different Wi-Fi networks or bands. Ensure both are on the same network, and restart both devices. Also, check that AirPrint is enabled in the printer’s network settings via the web interface.

Can I print from a Brother printer using AirPrint without Wi-Fi?

No, AirPrint requires a network connection. If your printer supports Wi-Fi Direct, you can connect your iPhone directly to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct network, but that is not the same as AirPrint—you would use the Brother iPrint&Scan app instead.

Does AirPrint work with older Brother printers?

Some older models may not support AirPrint. If your printer was released before 2010 or lacks a color display, check the manual. If not supported, use the Brother iPrint&Scan app, which works with most Wi-Fi-enabled Brother printers.

How do I update Brother printer firmware for AirPrint?

Visit Brother’s support website, enter your model, and download the latest firmware. Follow the instructions to update via USB or the printer’s web interface. After updating, restart the printer and try AirPrint again.

Can I use AirPrint with a Brother printer connected via Ethernet?

Yes, if the printer is connected to your router via Ethernet, it is on the same network as your Wi-Fi devices, so AirPrint will work. Just make sure the printer and iPhone are on the same subnet.

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