Some would argue that faxing has been on the decline ever since the advent of email. While there might be some truth to this, faxing isn’t going away anytime soon. In fact, research shows that there are still over 17 billion faxes being sent annually.

Online faxing has also become increasingly popular in recent years. If you aren’t close to a fax machine then you might be wondering if there are any ways to fax from your phone.

Fortunately, this process is a lot simpler than you might think, and there are a few different methods of achieving it.

 

 

What is Online Faxing?

 

To put it simply, the future. It’s a combination of old-fashioned faxing and Voice Over IP using mobile devices. Through online faxing, you can attach files such as PDF files, images, or Word documents to an email or upload to a dedicated internet faxing app, then fax documents to any standard fax machine, or inbox. All of this is possible using just a mobile phone.

 

How to Send a Fax From Your Phone [Checklist]

 

Sending a fax from your phone is simpler than you might think. In fact, it’s just a few steps away. Here’s the official GetVoIP checklist for sending a fax from your phone.

 

1. Pick a Provider

Picking a fax service provider is no easy task, but you’ll be glad to know that there are quite a few viable options out there. Take a look at our “Top Internet Fax Service Providers” section below to compare some of the best picks.

 

2. Download an App

The first thing you’ll need to do is download your service provider’s app that facilitates faxes. There are iOS apps for iPhone and iPads as well as android apps compatible with every kind of device and at every budget level. Most fax apps will have a free trial that you can use to test it out before shelling out any cash.

 

3. Convert and Upload your file

Not all apps support all file formats so you might run into a situation where you need to convert a certain file from one format to another. Smallpdf is perfect for this since it supports most file formats. You won’t even need to download it as you can run the tool from your browser. Check it out here.

Some providers allow you to generate a cover page to keep your fax pages secure once they reach the recipient.

 

How to Send a Fax Via Email

 

You might be surprised to hear that you can actually fax through emails, but it’s true — though it’s worth noting that you’ll still need to be subscribed to a service that lets you send faxes via email.

Start by clicking/tapping the compose button to write a new message. In the “To” field, enter the recipient’s fax number and area code of the recipient that you’re trying to send the fax to then add the domain of your service provider at the end after the “@” symbol.

Proceed to attach any necessary files in the formats of TXTs, DOCs, JPGs, and PDF documents along with some others to the email by clicking the paperclip icon.

Afterward, all you need to do is click send then wait for the confirmation email from your fax service provider to arrive. Bear in mind that confirmation emails aren’t available with all providers so check if yours supports this feature.

 

Top Internet Fax Service Providers

 

You can absolutely send a fax without a telephone line, and it’s not as hard as you might think. There are actually a couple of things that you could try if you want to send a fax without getting a permanent fax number.

 

eFax

 

eFax Send Fax From Phone

eFax is one of the most widely used services when it comes to sending online faxes. This is likely due to the fact that it’s one of the oldest online faxing companies still around.

The first thing you’ll need to do is download the eFax mobile fax app for either Android or iOS. Once it’s done downloading from the App Store or Google Play all you have to do to get started is open it up and click the “send faxes” button.

Pick a recipient from your eFax contacts or even your phone’s contact list if you allow the app to access it when prompted. After selecting the recipient, choose up to ten files to attach then hit send and wait for the email confirmation stating that your fax has been delivered to the recipient.

Beyond compatibility with operating systems, eFax is also easy to use alongside various cloud storage options such as iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive, Dropbox, and more. The eFax Plus plan — which is the cheapest one available — only costs $16.95/month making it very affordable.

This will allow you to send and receive up to 150 pages every month which should be enough for most people. In the event that you hit your monthly limit, you’ll be charged 10 cents for every page sent/received from the US or Canada.

 

FaxBurner

 

faxburner how to fax from phone

FaxBurner is just what it sounds like, pretty much a burner phone but in fax form. Rest assured it’s not some shady tool used by members of the mob but actually a pretty good service. All you have to do is register for the service then follow the steps below.

Once you’ve created your account, simply request a temporary fax phone number and FaxBurner will send one that you can use for up to 24 hours. You can even upgrade to one of their premium plans if you decide to keep that number.

By using FaxBurner, you’ll have a fax number whenever you need it without ever having to set up a permanent one.

 

HelloFax

>hellofax how to send fax from phone
Another option to consider is HelloFax. You can use it to send five free faxes per month even if you don’t have a telephone line.

It’s worth noting that you can’t use the service to receive faxes so it’s more of a one-way deal, but if you get a paid account — which is priced at $10/month — then you’ll unlock the receiving feature of the service as well.

HelloFax is a great service to use if you only send faxes every now and then since you likely won’t exceed the five-fax limit.

 

RingCentral

 

RingCentral how to send fax from phone

If you don’t have a telephone line but want a local fax number then you could get one with RingCentral. Its cheapest fax plan costs $12.99/month but you can use the 30-day free trial to gauge its services before committing to a subscription.

The best part about RingCentral is the fact that it has an app that works for both iOS and Android devices so you can fax on the go using your smartphone without ever having to get a telephone line.

 

Nextiva vFax

 

nextiva vfax how to send fax by phone

If you’re trying to cut down on operating costs but still need to send a fax without a telephone line then you can use Nextiva vFax. It’s as affordable as a service like this gets with its cheapest plan only costing $8.95/month.

We actually did a full overview of this service that you can check out here.

 

How to Choose a Vendor

 

It’s easier than ever to fax without a telephone line, but before you choose a method or service, you should take a look at a few factors on this checklist to see if it’s the right option for your specific needs.

 

Check Phone Compatibility

The first thing that you should check on is whether or not your pick is compatible with the phone that you’re currently using.

While most services have apps for both iOS and Android, there are still some that only work for a specific operating system so double-checking before subscribing to any plan would be wise to ensure that you don’t waste your hard-earned cash.

You should also test the app out on your phone to see if it functions well before paying for a subscription. The free trial that most providers offer will make this very easy on your end.

 

Match Your Budget

Don’t get caught up in all the premium features of a specific service. All the features in the world aren’t worth it if they disrupt your budget.

Before you pick any service that helps you fax from your phone you need to carefully analyze the monthly pricing, setup fee, and any other costs that you might incur while using it to ensure that it doesn’t throw a wrench into your finances.

Getting the annual plan may lead to better rates with some providers and thus is something to consider if you plan on using the service long-term.

 

Prioritize Customer Support

You never know when you’ll run into an issue so picking a service that has good customer support like eFax is wise.

It might be cheaper to send a fax for free from your phone, but getting a premium service that comes with 24/7 support will pay off when problems arise.

Having a provider that offers live chat is ideal, but you should also check to see if they offer phone support as that can be a lifesaver when you aren’t connected to the internet but need to get in touch with their representatives.

 

Send a Fax From Your Phone Without a Telephone Line

 

If you’ve ever wondered “can I really use my cellphone to send a fax?” it turns out the whole process is possible without even a phone line.

You might think that faxing from your phone is more of a gimmick or luxury, but it couldn’t be more of a necessity. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are always on the go, and as such, should be able to stay in touch with contacts while traversing these urban jungles.

For more information on how you can ditch your fax machine for good, check out our complete guide to online faxing.