How to Add Brother DCP T720DW to Control Center

To add the Brother DCP-T720DW to your mobile device’s Control Center, you must install the official Brother iPrint&Scan app. This application acts as a bridge between your smartphone or tablet and the printer, enabling seamless wireless printing and scanning directly from your gallery or documents without needing complex driver configurations on the mobile operating system.

Understanding the Mobile Printing Ecosystem

Many users confuse the term "Control Center" with the network settings panel in iOS or Android. However, for the Brother DCP-T720DW, achieving a unified control experience requires specific software because the printer does not natively appear in the standard OS-level print dialogs for all file types on mobile devices. The Brother iPrint&Scan app is the designated solution that provides a centralized interface for managing both print and scan jobs. It is crucial to distinguish this from desktop solutions. While Windows and macOS have built-in drivers, mobile environments require an intermediary application to handle the communication protocols like AirPrint or Mopria if they are not fully supported by the specific file type you are trying to print. Installing the correct app ensures that your device can discover the printer on the local Wi-Fi network and send data in a format the DCP-T720DW understands. For those interested in broader connectivity strategies, such as connecting different devices to various printers, you might find Three Laptops Printing to Two Different Printers: A Tech Support Dilemma useful for understanding network segmentation issues that could affect mobile discovery.

Step-by-Step Installation and Setup

The first step is ensuring your hardware is ready. Connect the Brother DCP-T720DW to power and turn it on. Use the touchscreen menu to navigate to Network settings and select WLAN. Follow the prompts to connect the printer to your home Wi-Fi network. Note the IP address displayed on the screen once connected, as this helps verify network status later. Next, on your iOS or Android device, open the App Store or Google Play Store. Search for "Brother iPrint&Scan" and install the official application. Do not use third-party generic printer apps, as they often lack the specific command sets required for Brother multifunction devices. Once installed, open the app. It will typically prompt you to allow location permissions; grant these so the app can scan for nearby devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi Direct. If the printer does not appear automatically, tap the "+" icon or "Add Printer" within the app. Select "WLAN" as the connection method. The app should list available Brother devices. Select the DCP-T720DW from the list. If prompted, enter the Wi-Fi password of your network again to authorize the mobile device's communication with the printer.

Configuring Scanning Features

Adding the printer is only half the process; utilizing the scanner functionality requires additional configuration. Within the Brother iPrint&Scan app, navigate to the Scan tab. You can choose to scan to your mobile device’s gallery or email. For scanning to email, you may need to configure SMTP settings within the app, which involves entering your email provider’s server details. Ensure that the document feeder or flatbed glass is clean. Place your document face down on the glass or face up in the automatic document feeder. In the app, select the desired resolution and color mode. Tap the scan button. The progress bar will indicate when the image has been transferred to your mobile device. This method bypasses the need for physical cables and leverages the wireless capabilities established during the initial setup. For users who previously struggled with certificate issues on other brands, reviewing Setting Up Scan-to-Email on a New HP Laserjet Pro M479dw Printer: A Guide to CA Certificates highlights how security protocols can sometimes block scan-to-email features, a concept that applies similarly when configuring email servers in the Brother app.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If the app cannot find the printer, verify that both the printer and the mobile device are on the same subnet. Some routers isolate IoT devices from main networks; check your router settings to ensure AP Isolation is disabled. Restarting the printer and the mobile device often resolves temporary handshake failures. Another common issue is outdated firmware. Visit the Brother support website using a computer, download the latest firmware for the DCP-T720DW, and update the printer via USB or network. Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues with newer versions of mobile operating systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print directly from my photo gallery without opening the app?

On iOS, you can use AirPrint if the app supports it, but Brother iPrint&Scan offers more robust features for specific formats. On Android, you may see a "Print" option in the share menu if Mopria is enabled, but the dedicated app provides better control over scan settings and PDF creation.

Why does my printer disappear from the app after restarting?

This usually indicates a DHCP lease renewal or a Wi-Fi drop. Ensure your router assigns a static IP to the printer via its MAC address. This prevents the printer’s address from changing, allowing the app to reconnect reliably without manual re-discovery.

Is it possible to scan directly to a USB drive?

Yes, the DCP-T720DW supports USB memory sticks inserted into its front port. You can initiate scans directly from the printer’s touchscreen menu to the USB drive, bypassing the mobile app entirely. This is ideal for large batches of documents where wireless transfer might be slow.

Does this method work for Brother scanners only?

The iPrint&Scan app is designed primarily for Brother devices. While some universal scanning apps exist, they often lack the proprietary drivers needed for optimal performance with Brother multifunction printers. Using the official app ensures full feature parity, including duplex scanning and advanced PDF editing tools.

What if I lose the Wi-Fi password for the printer?

You can reset the network settings on the DCP-T720DW by navigating to Menu > All Settings > Network > Reset > Network Settings. This clears the stored Wi-Fi credentials, requiring you to re-enter them via the touchscreen or the app’s setup wizard.