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Some offices, doctors and government agencies still ask for faxes. Your iPhone can't send a fax on its own, but with a fax app or an online fax service you can scan a document and send it in a few minutes. Here's how it works, what it costs, and the free options.
Key takeaways
- Fax goes over phone lines, so your iPhone needs a fax app or online fax service.
- Steps: scan the document, enter the fax number, add a cover page and send.
- Costs: most fax apps charge by subscription or credits. Check before you start a trial.
- Free web services exist for occasional faxes: FaxZero, for example, offers limited free faxes to US and Canadian numbers.
Why you need a service
Fax goes over phone lines, so iPhone needs a fax app or online fax service. Online fax services convert your PDF into a fax signal and send it from their own phone lines to the recipient's fax machine. To receive faxes, you need a fax number from the service, usually on a paid plan.
Step 1: Scan your document
Use the built-in scanner in Notes or Files to create a clean PDF. Black & White mode makes text sharper for faxing. See scan straight to a folder with the Files app or how to scan to PDF on iPhone. Sign it first if needed: how to sign a PDF on iPhone.
Step 2: Choose a fax method
| Method | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Free web fax service | Free for limited pages, with branding | Occasional short faxes |
| Pay-per-fax web service | A few dollars per fax | One-off longer faxes |
| Fax app with credits | Pay for pages or credits | Occasional use from the phone |
| Fax app subscription | Monthly or yearly fee | Regular sending, receiving, fax number |
| Local shop or library | Per-page fee | No-app option |
A free option: FaxZero
According to FaxZero's website, its free service lets you send up to five faxes a day to US and Canadian fax numbers, each up to three pages plus a cover page that carries FaxZero branding. Paid faxes cost $3.29 each, allow up to 25 pages and remove the branding. It works in Safari, so you don't need an app: upload your PDF from Files.
Step 3: Send the fax
- Open your fax app or service.
- Enter the recipient's fax number, including the country and area code. Double-check it; a wrong digit sends your document to a stranger.
- Attach the PDF from Files.
- Add a cover page with your name, the recipient's name, the number of pages and a phone or email for replies.
- Review the preview, then send.
- Wait for a confirmation that the fax went through. Keep it for your records.
Costs
Most fax apps charge by subscription or credits. Check before you start a trial. Many apps offer a free trial that turns into a weekly or monthly subscription if you don't cancel. On iPhone, you can see and cancel subscriptions in Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions.
Tips for successful faxes
- Use Black & White scans with clear text and minimal background.
- Keep the page count low; long faxes are more likely to fail.
- Avoid tiny fonts and light pencil.
- If a fax fails, the recipient's machine may be busy or out of paper. Try again later.
- Ask the recipient to confirm receipt for important documents.
Receiving faxes
To receive faxes on your iPhone, you need a fax number from a service, usually part of a paid plan. Incoming faxes arrive as PDFs in the app or by email. Some services let you pick a local or toll-free number.
Privacy and security
Faxing through an app means your document passes through the company's servers. Read the privacy policy, check how long documents are stored, and delete sent faxes you don't need. For medical or legal documents, see is faxing from your phone secure?
Alternatives to faxing
Before you fax, ask whether the recipient accepts email, a secure upload portal or e-signature. Many offices that list a fax number also accept documents through a patient or customer portal, which can be faster and more secure.
Common places that still use fax
In the US, fax is still common for medical records requests, prescription and insurance paperwork, some government forms, real estate and legal documents, and HR or benefits paperwork. Before faxing, check the organization's website: many now accept the same documents through an online portal or secure email, which gives you a confirmation and avoids per-page fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a fax from my iPhone for free?
Yes, for occasional faxes. Web services such as FaxZero offer free faxes with limits, such as a few pages and US or Canadian numbers only, plus a branded cover page.
Do I need a fax machine to send a fax from my phone?
No. An online fax service or fax app sends the fax from its own phone lines. You just upload a PDF and enter the fax number.
How do I receive a fax on my iPhone?
You need a fax number from an online fax service, usually on a paid plan. Incoming faxes arrive as PDFs in the app or by email.
Why did my fax fail to send?
Common causes are a wrong number, a busy or offline fax machine, or a long or low-quality document. Check the number and try again later.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 15, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.