Transfer Printer Drivers / Software From One MacBook Air M1 to Another MacBook Air M1

Question

Level 1

39 points

Transfer Printer Drivers / Software From One MacBook Air M1 to Another MacBook Air M1

Hi all

Can anyone tell me how to transfer Brother printer drivers / software? I have two MacBook Air M1 computers, and I'm migrating from one to the other which is a better spec. The printers are a HL-L5050DN and a QL-1060N. However I'm having a real problem with the printer drivers. I can't install the full drivers on the computer I'm migrating to, with all printing options. On the computer I'm migrating from, I have all the printing options available for both printers, and the correct icon for each printer also shows in 'Printers & Scanners', and when printing etc (image enclosed). Both computers are running Sequoia.

Is there any way to migrate the printer drivers over, so I have the full set of printing options for each printer, and the correct icons?

Many thanks.

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Apr 3, 2025 3:45 AM

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Answer 1

tbirdvet

Level 6

15,701 points

Apr 3, 2025 4:30 AM in response to machineage

If your Mac is compatible you should be able to install all drivers without having to transfer any files. If you cannot use drivers from Apple or the printer's web site then there may be an issue with compatibility. It would be difficult to manually transfer files as they could be installed in various folders.

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Answer 2

machineage Author

Level 1

39 points

Apr 3, 2025 6:04 AM in response to tbirdvet

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I'm not sure why the Mac I'm transferring to should be in any way less compatible. They are identical computers (MacBook Air M1) save for the one I'm migrating to has a 1TB SSD. Both are running Sequoia.

On the one I'm migrating from I have the full official drivers for both printers (images enclosed). Yet on the Mac I'm migrating to, I am only able to install generic drivers, which have much of the feature sets missing, and display generic driver icons. I had hoped there would be some way to migrate the drivers for each printer.

Generic driver on Mac I'm migrating to:

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Answer 3

machineage Author

Level 1

39 points

Apr 4, 2025 3:33 AM in response to machineage

Well, I sorted it.

For the QL-1060N, I had to install the driver for macOS 10.8.x. (3.0.10). Then add the printer via the CUPS web interface. In order to access the interface, I needed to type ‘cupsctl WebInterface=yes’ into terminal.

Then go to: http://localhost:631

I could then see and add the printer via the 'Administration' tab.

Following this, the printer is now added and working, with all the features, and the correct icon.

Same for the HL-L5050DN, except I installed the last available driver, which was for macOS 10.14.x (1.09).

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Answer 4

tbirdvet

Level 6

15,701 points

Apr 3, 2025 1:44 PM in response to machineage

Was error message do you get when you try to install the drivers?

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Transfer Printer Drivers / Software From One MacBook Air M1 to Another MacBook Air M1