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How to Scan from a Brother Printer to a MacBook Air: The Definitive Guide

Scanning from a Brother printer to your MacBook Air is usually a straightforward process, but it can become a little dicey if the software isn’t configured correctly. The simplest method involves using Apple’s built-in Image Capture application, which often automatically detects Brother printers connected via USB or Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you can utilize Brother’s iPrint&Scan software, which offers a more feature-rich scanning experience. However, the key lies in ensuring the correct drivers and software are installed and the printer is properly connected to your MacBook Air.

Methods for Scanning with Your Brother Printer

Let’s break down the methods for scanning, delving deeper into each option so you can choose the one that best fits your workflow.

1. Using Apple’s Image Capture

Image Capture is your MacBook Air’s built-in scanning utility. It’s surprisingly powerful and often the quickest way to get a scan done.

Connection Check: First, ensure your Brother printer is connected to your MacBook Air either via USB or Wi-Fi. If using Wi-Fi, make sure both the printer and your MacBook Air are on the same network.
Launch Image Capture: Find Image Capture in your Applications folder or use Spotlight search (Command + Spacebar).
Select Your Printer: In the left sidebar of Image Capture, you should see your Brother printer listed. If it’s not there, make sure the printer is powered on and connected to the network. Also, verify that the printer driver is installed on your MacBook Air. If you don’t have the driver, visit the Brother support website for your specific printer model and download the driver.
Configure Scan Settings: Once you’ve selected your printer, you’ll see various settings. These include:
- Kind: Choose between Text, Black & White, or Color, depending on what you’re scanning.
- Resolution: Higher resolution means better image quality but also a larger file size. 300 dpi is generally good for documents, while 600 dpi or higher is recommended for photos.
- Size: Set the scan area, either to the document size or a custom size.
- Scan To: Choose where you want to save the scanned file.
- Name: Give your scan a descriptive name.
- Format: Select the file format. PDF is best for documents, while JPEG or PNG are better for images.
Initiate Scan: Click the “Scan” button. Image Capture will scan the document and save it to the location you specified.

2. Using Brother’s iPrint&Scan Software

Brother’s iPrint&Scan software is a dedicated scanning application designed specifically for Brother printers. It often offers more advanced features than Image Capture.

Download and Install: Download the iPrint&Scan software for your specific Brother printer model from the Brother support website. Make sure to choose the version compatible with your macOS. Follow the installation instructions carefully.
Launch iPrint&Scan: Once installed, launch the iPrint&Scan application from your Applications folder.
Select Your Printer: If your printer isn’t automatically detected, you may need to add it manually. Click the “Select Model” button and follow the prompts to find your printer on the network.
Configure Scan Settings: The iPrint&Scan interface provides a range of scanning options, including:
- Document Type: Choose the type of document you are scanning (e.g., document, photo, ID card).
- Scan Size: Select the size of the document to be scanned.
- Resolution: As with Image Capture, higher resolution provides better image quality.
- Color Mode: Choose between color, grayscale, or black and white.
- File Format: Select the desired file format (e.g., PDF, JPEG, TIFF).
- Destination: Choose where you want to save the scanned file.
Initiate Scan: Click the “Scan” button. The software will scan the document and save it to your chosen location.

3. Scanning Directly from the Printer (if applicable)

Some Brother printers have a scan-to-computer feature directly on the printer’s control panel. This method bypasses the need to open an application on your MacBook Air.

Ensure Connection: Your Brother printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your MacBook Air.
Printer Control Panel: On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Scan” option. The exact wording may vary depending on your printer model.
Select Scan Destination: Choose “Scan to Computer” or a similar option. Your MacBook Air should be listed as an available destination.
Configure Scan Settings: Depending on your printer model, you may be able to adjust scan settings directly from the printer’s control panel. These might include resolution, color mode, and file format.
Initiate Scan: Press the “Scan” button on the printer. The scanned document will be sent to your MacBook Air and saved to a default location, which you may be able to configure in the printer’s settings.

Troubleshooting Common Scanning Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s how to troubleshoot common issues:

Printer Not Found: Ensure the printer is powered on, connected to the network, and that the drivers are installed correctly. Restart both the printer and your MacBook Air.
Communication Error: This often indicates a problem with the connection. Check the network connection, firewall settings, and ensure the printer is not in offline mode.
Poor Scan Quality: Adjust the resolution and scan settings. Make sure the document is clean and properly placed on the scanner bed.
Software Conflicts: If you have multiple scanning applications installed, they might conflict. Try uninstalling unused scanning software.

Choosing the Right Method

Each method has its advantages. Image Capture is convenient for quick scans, iPrint&Scan offers more advanced features, and scanning directly from the printer is useful when you don’t want to use your computer. The best method for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further assist you with scanning from your Brother printer to your MacBook Air.

1. Why isn’t my Brother printer showing up in Image Capture?

Ensure your printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your MacBook Air. Check that the necessary drivers are installed. You can download the drivers from the Brother support website. Restarting both the printer and your MacBook Air can also help.

2. How do I install the Brother printer drivers on my MacBook Air?

Visit the Brother support website and search for your specific printer model. Download the full driver package for macOS. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.

3. Can I scan over Wi-Fi with my Brother printer?

Yes, you can scan over Wi-Fi as long as your Brother printer and MacBook Air are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure the printer is configured for Wi-Fi connectivity.

4. What file format should I use when scanning documents?

PDF is generally the best file format for scanned documents because it preserves the formatting and is easily shareable. For photos, JPEG or PNG are good options.

5. How do I improve the scan quality of my Brother printer?

Increase the resolution settings in your scanning software. Clean the scanner glass to remove any dust or smudges. Ensure the document is placed correctly on the scanner bed.

6. My scans are coming out too dark or too light. How can I fix this?

Adjust the brightness and contrast settings in your scanning software. You may also be able to adjust these settings on the printer’s control panel.

7. Can I scan multiple pages into a single PDF file?

Yes, both Image Capture and Brother’s iPrint&Scan software allow you to scan multiple pages into a single PDF file. Look for options like “Combine into single document” or similar settings.

8. What should I do if I encounter a communication error while scanning?

Check the network connection between your printer and MacBook Air. Ensure that your firewall is not blocking communication with the printer. Restart both devices.

9. Is Brother’s iPrint&Scan software free to use?

Yes, Brother’s iPrint&Scan software is free to download and use with compatible Brother printers.

10. How do I scan to email using my Brother printer and MacBook Air?

You can scan to email directly from the Brother printer if it supports this feature. Configure the email settings on the printer and select the email option when scanning. Alternatively, you can scan the document to your MacBook Air and then attach it to an email.

11. My Brother printer is asking for a password to connect to Wi-Fi, but I don’t know it.

The password is the same as your Wi-Fi network password. If you don’t know it, you can usually find it on your router or by contacting your internet service provider.

12. Can I use AirPrint to scan from my Brother printer to my MacBook Air?

While AirPrint primarily focuses on printing, some newer Brother printers also support scanning via AirPrint. However, it might offer limited features compared to using Image Capture or Brother’s iPrint&Scan software. Test to see if the option is available from the Macbook Air and explore the functions it offers.