Brother iPrint&Scan

Overview

Brother iPrint&Scan connects supported Brother printers and all-in-one machines with mobile devices and computers. Over Wi-Fi, it can send print jobs from a phone or tablet and scan from the machine without routing the work through a computer. The app is free, but a compatible Brother machine is required, and available functions vary by model.

For mobile printing or scanning, the device and Brother machine must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Brother notes that not every machine supports these mobile features. Its Mobile Print/Scan Guide and customer service are available for setup and further assistance.

Key features

Mobile printing and scanning

From a mobile device, iPrint&Scan can print photos, documents, and web pages. The Android FAQ also identifies Gmail and cloud services as print sources. Scans can be saved to the device or cloud storage, sent by email, or opened in another application, depending on the platform.

The iOS listing names Dropbox, OneDrive, and Evernote for cloud printing, and iCloud as a scan destination. PDF and JPEG are listed output formats. OCR and ADF support are included, although the functions available in practice depend on the Brother machine and platform.

Extra tools on some models

Supported newer machines may expose additional mobile options: image editing, fax sending and preview, copy preview, and machine status. These capabilities are model-dependent rather than guaranteed across the range. The App Store listing says contact access is required for fax functions; location access is optional and requested for device-search features such as Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or NFC.

Desktop scan controls

The Windows and macOS apps provide controls for scan size, color, resolution, brightness, contrast, file type, destination, and target application. Users can save frequently used scan configurations as Workflows and apply them again later.

Pricing

Brother iPrint&Scan is free: the Free plan costs nothing, billed as a Free application. It requires a supported Brother machine, and printing and scanning features vary by model.

Platforms

The app is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Brother's cited support page specifies Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.10 or later for desktop use. Mobile device compatibility still depends on the printer or all-in-one model and a shared Wi-Fi network.

Who it's for

This is aimed at owners of supported Brother printers or all-in-ones who want to print, scan, or use model-dependent copy and fax tools from a phone, tablet, or computer. It is most relevant when Brother hardware is already part of the setup; the app is not a general-purpose scanner interface for unrelated devices.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free to use with supported hardware; covers mobile printing and scanning as well as desktop scan configuration; offers reusable scan workflows on Windows and macOS.
• Cons: Requires a compatible Brother machine; mobile printing and scanning require the same Wi-Fi network; features vary by model and platform.

Google Play's developer disclosure says data is encrypted in transit, no data is shared with third parties, and users can request deletion. This is the developer-reported disclosure shown in the listing.

Alternatives

For more options, browse Scanner Software and Photo Scanning Software. Alternatives include Epson Scan 2, NAPS2, and PaperScan. Other options in the category are GNOME Document Scanner, PaperStream Capture, Skanpage, XSane, and Dynamic Web TWAIN.

Verdict

Brother iPrint&Scan is a practical companion for supported Brother hardware, combining everyday mobile print and scan tasks with more detailed desktop scan settings. Its no-cost plan is straightforward, but compatibility is the deciding factor: check that the specific machine supports the functions you need, and that your mobile device can share its Wi-Fi network.