The days of bulky fax machines and paper jams are long gone. Today, sending a fax can be as easy as tapping a few buttons on your iPhone.
Whether you’re in a meeting, on the go, or simply don’t have access to a fax machine, your iPhone can be a quick and convenient solution.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to send faxes using your iPhone, so you can stay connected without the hassle of old-school machines.
Why You Might Still Need to Fax?
Before diving into how you can fax from your iPhone, you might be wondering: why would anyone still need to fax in 2024?
While it may seem outdated, faxing is still a requirement for many industries like healthcare, legal, real estate, and government offices.
Faxing is often used for sending signed contracts, medical records, or other sensitive documents that need to be transmitted securely.
Even though email and cloud services are popular, faxing remains a trusted method for important document transmission.
How Faxing from an iPhone Works?
Modern Solutions for a Traditional Task
With the help of apps, you can easily send faxes from your iPhone without needing a fax machine or even a phone line. The faxing process works through these apps that act as a middleman between your iPhone and a traditional fax machine. These apps convert your digital documents into a fax-compatible format and send them over to the recipient’s fax machine.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
To send a fax from your iPhone, you will need:
- A faxing app (we’ll cover popular options below).
- A document to send (this could be a photo, PDF, or any other type of file).
- A working internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
That’s it! With those basic tools, you’ll be able to send a fax right from your iPhone without any extra equipment.
Best Faxing Apps for iPhone
1. eFax
eFax is a popular fax app, known for its user-friendly interface and reliability. With eFax, you can send and receive faxes, and it allows you to sign documents directly from your phone. You can upload files from various sources like your iPhone’s camera roll, cloud storage, or email.
Key Features:
- Free tier for receiving faxes (sending requires a subscription).
- 128-bit encryption for secure faxing.
- Supports multiple file formats (PDF, JPG, etc.).
2. Fax.Plus
Fax.Plus is a highly-rated app that’s perfect for businesses and individuals alike. This app offers a seamless experience for sending faxes and has a simple interface that makes faxing easy. You can even use it to send international faxes at competitive rates.
Key Features:
- The free tier includes limited fax sending.
- Integration with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox.
- Real-time notifications on fax status (sent, received, etc.).
3. iFax
iFax is another great app with a sleek design and various features aimed at making faxing as simple as possible. With iFax, you can scan documents using your iPhone’s camera and instantly convert them to fax. It also offers HIPAA-compliant faxing, making it ideal for those who need secure document transfers.
Key Features:
- Free trial available for new users.
- HIPAA-compliant for secure faxing in healthcare.
- Scans documents via your iPhone’s camera.
How to Send a Fax from Your iPhone?
Once you’ve downloaded a faxing app, sending a fax is pretty straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to walk you through the process:
Step 1: Download a Faxing App
Choose one of the faxing apps we’ve mentioned above and download it from the App Store. Most apps will have free and paid versions depending on how frequently you need to fax.
Step 2: Set Up Your Account
After downloading the app, you’ll need to set up an account. This usually involves providing your email and possibly subscribing to a plan if you intend to use the app long-term.
Step 3: Upload Your Document
You can either scan a document using your iPhone’s camera or upload an existing file from your phone, cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox), or email. Most apps will allow you to send documents in PDF, JPEG, or other common formats.
Step 4: Enter the Fax Number
Once your document is ready to go, enter the recipient’s fax number. Some apps will allow you to select from your contacts, while others require you to manually type in the fax number.
Step 5: Send the Fax
Review your fax to make sure everything looks correct. Once you’re satisfied, hit the “Send” button, and your fax will be transmitted through the app’s service.
Step 6: Confirmation
Most faxing apps will notify you when the fax has been sent and received. If something goes wrong, they’ll also alert you so you can retry or adjust the settings.
Tips for Faxing with Your iPhone
Ensure a Strong Internet Connection
Faxing requires a stable internet connection, so make sure you’re connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network or have a strong mobile data signal before sending any faxes. A weak connection could cause the fax to fail or delay the transmission.
Double-Check Fax Numbers
Since you’re inputting the fax number manually, it’s crucial to double-check the number before sending the fax. A simple typo could send your fax to the wrong recipient, which could be problematic, especially if sensitive information is involved.
Consider Subscription Plans for Regular Use
If you only send faxes occasionally, free or pay-per-use options should be sufficient. However, if you find yourself frequently faxing, consider subscribing to a monthly or annual plan, as it will be more cost-effective in the long run.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world, faxing doesn’t have to be a cumbersome task. With just your iPhone and a reliable faxing app, you can send faxes anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re handling business contracts, medical records, or other important documents, your iPhone can become your go-to tool for faxing on the go. So the next time someone asks for a fax, you won’t need to rush to a fax machine—just pull out your iPhone and get the job done with ease!