bbi

.bbiBrothero-Binfo Image

Brother Industries, Ltd. · 2007

Developer
Brother Industries, Ltd.
Category
Images
MIME Type
image/x-bbi
First Released
2007
Open Format
No
File Signature
Unknown (Proprietary)
At a Glance
.bbi
Brothero-Binfo Image

A proprietary image format used by Brother scanners and printers for storing scanned documents.

Reviewed on July 27, 2026
Compression
Varies (Proprietary)
Transparency
No
Editability
Low
Best for
Brother scan data

Key Features

  • Proprietary format for Brother scanning devices.
  • Stores scanned document and image data.
  • Typically includes metadata from the scanning process.
  • Not widely compatible with third-party image viewers.

Best For

  • Maintaining original scan data from Brother devices without immediate conversion.
  • Preserving document integrity within the Brother software environment.

Less Ideal For

  • Sharing images across different platforms or with other users.
  • Web display or online content creation.
  • Editing in standard graphic design software.
  • Long-term archival if compatibility is a concern.

Common Use Cases

  • Storing scanned documents from Brother MFC series printers/scanners.
  • Archiving personal or business documents captured via Brother hardware.
  • Internal use for Brother's scanning and imaging software.

How to Open It

  1. Use the official Brother software that came with your scanner or printer (e.g., Brother iPrint&Scan).
  2. Check if your specific Brother model's utility software supports opening .bbi files directly.
  3. If the official software can export or save as, use that function to convert to a common format like PDF or JPG.

What is a .bbi file?

The .bbi file format is primarily associated with Brother printers and scanners, specifically for storing scanned image data. It's a proprietary format developed by Brother Industries, meaning it's designed for use within their ecosystem. While it contains image information, it's not a universally recognized format like JPEG or PNG. Opening or editing these files typically requires software provided by Brother or specific tools designed to interpret this particular image data structure.

Programs That Open .bbi Files

PlatformProgram
WindowsBrother iPrint&ScanFreeOfficial
macOSBrother iPrint&ScanFreeOfficial
AndroidBrother iPrint&ScanFreeOfficial
iOSBrother iPrint&ScanFreeOfficial

How to Convert .bbi Files

FormatMethod
.PDFBrother iPrint&Scan (Export/Save As)
.JPGBrother iPrint&Scan (Export/Save As)

Common Problems with .bbi Files

⚠️ Cannot open .bbi files on a computer without Brother software.
Install the official Brother iPrint&Scan software or use the 'Save As' function within Brother software to convert to a more common format like JPG or PDF.
⚠️ Third-party image editors do not recognize .bbi files.
.bbi is a proprietary format. You must convert the file to a standard format (like PNG, JPG, or TIFF) using Brother's utility software before editing in other applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a .bbi file?

.bbi is a proprietary image file format developed by Brother Industries, primarily used for storing scanned documents from their printers and scanners.

Can I open .bbi files on any computer?

Typically, you need the official Brother scanning software (like Brother iPrint&Scan) installed on your computer to open and view .bbi files.

How can I convert a .bbi file to JPG or PDF?

Open the .bbi file in Brother's scanning software and use the 'Save As' or 'Export' function to choose a more common format like JPG or PDF.

Technical Details

BBI files are essentially raster image containers. They store pixel data, often alongside metadata related to the scanning process. The exact internal structure and compression methods are proprietary to Brother and are not publicly documented, making it challenging to interpret outside of their intended software.

Did You Know?

The 'bbi' in the file extension likely stands for 'Brothero-Binfo', though official documentation is scarce.
This format is tightly integrated with specific hardware and software, limiting its standalone utility.

Security Information

As a proprietary image format typically generated by trusted Brother hardware and software, .bbi files are generally considered safe. However, as with any file, exercise caution if obtaining them from unknown or untrusted sources.

Related Extensions