Brother iPrint&Scan

Overview

Brother iPrint&Scan is a free companion app for owners of supported Brother printers and all-in-one machines. It suits people who want to print or scan from a phone, or configure repeatable scan jobs on a Windows or Mac computer. Its usefulness depends on having a compatible machine and, for mobile jobs, a shared Wi-Fi network.

Key features

Mobile printing and scanning

The app prints photos, documents, and web pages from mobile devices; Android also supports Gmail and cloud services as print sources. Scans can be saved to the device or cloud storage, emailed, or passed to another app, depending on platform. iOS users can print from Dropbox, OneDrive, and Evernote, and send scans to iCloud. PDF and JPEG output, OCR, and ADF support are included, but the machine and platform determine which functions are usable.

Newer supported models add mobile image editing, fax sending and preview, copy preview, and machine status. These extras make the app more useful as a companion to an all-in-one, but should not be a deciding factor until the specific model is confirmed. iOS requires contact access for fax features; location access is optional and supports device search options such as Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, or NFC.

Desktop scan workflows

Windows and macOS versions expose practical controls for scan size, color, resolution, brightness, contrast, file type, destination, and target application. Users can save those settings as Workflows, reducing setup for recurring jobs. This makes the desktop app a better fit than a basic one-off scan utility for people who repeatedly digitize similar documents.

The support page gives minimum desktop versions of Windows 7 and macOS 10.10. Mobile printing and scanning require a Brother machine that supports them, and the mobile device must use Wi-Fi on the same network. These requirements narrow the audience: owners of other brands or unsupported Brother models should look elsewhere.

Pricing

Free: free (billed Free application). The app costs nothing, but requires a supported Brother machine and printing and scanning capabilities vary by model. There are no paid tiers or seat-based terms described; the real trade-off is compatibility rather than a feature upgrade. This is an easy choice for an eligible Brother owner, but not a substitute for acquiring compatible hardware.

Platforms

Brother iPrint&Scan supports Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Desktop scan controls and saved Workflows are for Windows and macOS; mobile printing and scanning are for supported phones and tablets. Brother provides a Mobile Print/Scan Guide and customer service for assistance. Google Play says the developer reports that data is encrypted in transit, not shared with third parties, and can be deleted on request.

Who it's for

Choose it if you own a supported Brother printer or all-in-one and want phone-based printing and scanning, or recurring desktop scan settings. It is less suitable if you need a scanner-independent tool, use Linux, or cannot connect the mobile device and machine to the same Wi-Fi network.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free access to mobile print and scan functions, with PDF and JPEG output, OCR, and ADF support.
• Pros: Windows and macOS offer detailed scan controls and reusable Workflows for repeated jobs.
• Cons: Mobile features depend on the exact Brother model, so compatibility must be checked before relying on them.
• Cons: Mobile operation requires the device and machine to share a Wi-Fi network.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Scanner Software or Photo Scanning Software.

• Epson Scan 2 is the alternative to consider for an Epson scanner or multifunction printer; it is free and supports Linux, macOS, and Windows, with functions varying by scanner.
• NAPS2 is a free Linux, macOS, and Windows option for individuals and businesses, with no ads or restrictions.
• GNOME Document Scanner is a free Linux desktop-only choice.
• PaperScan is a Windows alternative with a free edition capped at 10-page batch TWAIN/WIA scanning or import; its Home Edition costs $79, paid once for unlimited batch scanning or import.
• PaperStream Capture is a free Windows download for current fi Series scanners and requires PaperStream IP TWAIN or ISIS drivers.
• Skanpage is a free Linux scanning application.
• XSane is a free Linux and Windows option for SANE-compatible scanners.
• iCopy - Free Photocopier is a free Windows photocopier application under GNU GPL v3.

Verdict

Brother iPrint&Scan is the right pick for owners of a supported Brother machine who want free mobile printing and scanning plus configurable desktop scan workflows. Its strongest reason to choose it is that combination of mobile access and repeatable desktop controls at no app cost. Look elsewhere if you need cross-brand scanner support, Linux compatibility, or mobile use without a shared Wi-Fi connection.