How to Install Brother Printer on Mac

Learning how to install Brother printer on Mac is simpler than most people expect, but the process does differ depending on your connection method and macOS version. Whether you are setting up a brand-new laser printer or reconnecting an older model after a system update, this guide walks you through every step — from downloading the right driver to printing your first test page. Brother makes some of the most reliable printers available for home offices and small businesses, and macOS has solid built-in support for them. Still, a few common missteps can trip you up if you are not prepared.

Before diving in, it helps to know that macOS uses CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) as its underlying print architecture, which means many Brother printers are recognized automatically once connected. However, for full feature access — including scanning, duplex printing, and ink monitoring — you will almost always want to install Brother's official software package. This guide covers USB, Wi-Fi, and network installation methods, along with troubleshooting tips to handle the most common issues. If you are also managing your setup across more than one computer, see our guide on how to connect a printer to multiple computers for additional context.

What You Need Before You Begin

A successful Brother printer installation on Mac starts with preparation. Skipping this stage is the reason most people end up reinstalling drivers twice. Taking five minutes to confirm compatibility and gather the right materials saves a lot of frustration later.

Check macOS and Printer Compatibility

macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and later versions handle most modern Brother printers well, but older models may need a legacy driver package. Open the Apple menu, go to About This Mac, and note your macOS version. Then visit Brother's support site and search for your exact printer model — for example, HL-L2350DW or MFC-L2750DW — to confirm which driver package applies to your system. You can find all of our printer guides and reviews here if you need help choosing or comparing models.

Gather What You Need

• Your Brother printer model number (printed on the front or bottom label)
• A USB cable (Type-A to Type-B, if installing via USB)
• Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
• A stable internet connection for downloading drivers
• macOS administrator credentials to approve the installer

If your Mac does not have a USB-A port, you will also need a USB-C adapter or hub. Many newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models dropped the legacy port, so this is easy to overlook.

How to Install Brother Printer on Mac via USB

USB remains the most straightforward way to install a Brother printer on Mac. It bypasses network configuration entirely and is the best starting point if you are setting up a printer for the first time.

Using macOS Auto-Detection

macOS includes built-in AirPrint and IPP drivers that can recognize many Brother printers automatically when connected via USB. Here is how to use this feature:

1. Power on your Brother printer and let it finish its startup cycle.
2. Connect the USB cable from the printer to your Mac.
3. Open System Settings (macOS Ventura and later) or System Preferences (older versions) and go to Printers & Scanners.
4. Click the Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax button (the + icon).
5. Your Mac will scan for connected devices. Select your Brother printer from the list.
6. macOS will automatically download a compatible driver from Apple's software update servers if one is available.
7. Click Add to complete the setup.

Once added, print a test page by selecting Print Test Page from the printer's options menu in Printers & Scanners. If the page prints correctly, the installation is complete. Note that the auto-detected driver may not support all functions — advanced scanning or toner monitoring may require Brother's full software package.

Installing the Driver Manually via USB

If macOS does not recognize the printer automatically, or if you want full feature support, install Brother's driver package manually before connecting the USB cable. Download the Full Driver & Software Package from Brother's official support site, run the .pkg installer, and follow the prompts. The installer will ask you to connect the USB cable at a specific point during setup — do not connect it early. After the installation completes, the printer will appear in Printers & Scanners automatically.

While the image above illustrates the Windows installation process, the overall workflow is comparable on Mac — you download the installer, run the package, confirm permissions, and add the printer through system settings. The main difference is that macOS uses its own Printers & Scanners panel rather than the Windows Devices and Printers control panel.

How to Set Up a Brother Printer on Mac Over Wi-Fi

Wireless setup is more convenient for shared spaces and keeps your desk free of cables. Brother printers support two main approaches for joining a Wi-Fi network: WPS push-button and manual configuration through the printer's control panel.

WPS One-Button Setup

If your router supports WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), this is the fastest method:

1. On your Brother printer, navigate to Network > WLAN > WPS/Push Button on the display menu.
2. Press OK or confirm on the touchscreen. The printer will begin searching for a WPS signal.
3. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router (usually labeled WPS or has a wireless icon).
4. The printer's Wi-Fi indicator light will become steady when the connection is established.

WPS is convenient but not universally supported. Some ISP-provided routers disable it by default for security reasons. If WPS does not work, use the manual method below.

Connecting via the Printer's Control Panel

1. On the printer, go to Settings > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) from the list of available networks.
3. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the printer's keypad or touchscreen.
4. Confirm the settings. The printer will attempt to connect and display a confirmation message.

Once connected, you can confirm the printer's IP address by printing a network configuration report — on most Brother models, hold the Go or Report button for several seconds. The IP address is useful if you need to access the printer's web interface or if you prefer to find your Brother printer's IP address for manual configuration later.

Adding the Wireless Printer in macOS System Settings

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
3. In the dialog that opens, select the Default tab. Your Brother printer should appear in the list if it is on the same network as your Mac.
4. Select the printer. macOS will suggest a driver — choose the official Brother driver if available, or let macOS install its AirPrint-compatible driver.
5. Click Add.

If the printer does not appear in the Default list, switch to the IP tab, enter the printer's IP address, choose HP Jetdirect - Socket or Line Printer Daemon - LPD as the protocol, and select the driver manually. For tips on adjusting output settings after installation, check out our guide on how to change printer settings on Mac.

Downloading and Installing Brother Drivers from the Official Site

For complete functionality — especially on all-in-one models with scanning, faxing, or ink monitoring — you should install Brother's full software package rather than relying on the generic macOS driver.

Finding the Right Driver Package

1. Go to Brother's official support and downloads page.
2. Search for your printer model number.
3. Select your operating system: choose your specific macOS version (e.g., macOS 14 Sonoma) rather than a generic Mac option to ensure compatibility.
4. Download the Full Driver & Software Package or, at minimum, the Printer Driver and Scanner Driver separately if a combined package is not available.

Running the Installer on Mac

1. Open the downloaded .dmg or .pkg file from your Downloads folder.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts. macOS will ask you to approve the installation in System Settings > Privacy & Security if the package is from an identified developer outside the App Store.
3. When prompted, choose your connection method (USB or Network/Wireless).
4. The installer will locate your printer and complete the driver installation.
5. Restart your Mac if prompted.

After installation, open Printers & Scanners to confirm the printer appears with the correct name and driver. If you have an all-in-one, also open Image Capture or the Brother iPrint&Scan app to verify that scanning works correctly. For keeping your printer in good condition over time, our guide on how to clean a Brother printer is worth bookmarking.

Comparing Brother Printer Connection Methods on Mac

Not sure which setup method is right for your situation? The table below summarizes the key differences between the three main approaches.

For most home users, the Wi-Fi method with the full driver package strikes the best balance of convenience and functionality. USB is better if you want the simplest possible setup or if your wireless network is unreliable. If you are concerned about your printer's exposure on the network, read our guide on how to secure a wireless printer on your home network before finishing your setup.

Troubleshooting Common Problems After Installation

Even with a straightforward process, things occasionally go wrong. Here are the most common issues and how to resolve them.

Printer Not Found or Offline

If your Brother printer appears as offline in macOS after installation, start with these checks:

• Restart the printer and your Mac. Many connection issues resolve with a simple restart cycle.
• Check network connection. For wireless printers, confirm the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac — not a guest network or a 5 GHz band if the printer only supports 2.4 GHz.
• Delete and re-add the printer. Open Printers & Scanners, select the printer, click the minus (–) button to remove it, then add it again using the + button.
• Reset the printing system. Right-click (or Control-click) anywhere in the Printers & Scanners printer list and select Reset Printing System. This removes all printers and clears any corrupted queue data. You will need to re-add your printer afterward.

Driver Installation Errors

If the Brother installer fails or displays an error during installation:

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security and scroll to the Security section. If a message about a blocked Brother software package appears, click Allow Anyway and run the installer again.
• Ensure your macOS is up to date. Some driver packages require a minimum macOS version.
• Download the driver package again — a corrupted download file can cause silent installation failures.
• Try using the Printer Driver Only package instead of the full software bundle, then add the scanner driver separately.

Scanning Not Working

Scanning issues on Mac usually come down to one of two problems: the scanner driver was not installed, or macOS does not have permission to use it.

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and ensure scanning applications have access.
• Install Brother's standalone Scanner Driver package if you only installed the printer driver.
• Use Brother's iPrint&Scan desktop app as an alternative to Image Capture — it often resolves scanner detection issues on newer macOS versions.
• If you use a USB connection for printing but want to scan over Wi-Fi (or vice versa), make sure the Brother driver is set up for the correct connection method.

Frequently Asked Questions