How to Fax from Your Phone
You need to send a fax, and the only thing you have is your phone. No computer, no fax machine, no printer. That's fine -- your phone is all you need.
You can send a fax directly from any iPhone or Android phone using nothing but your browser. No app to download, no account to create. This guide covers the full process: how to get your document ready, how to scan paper if needed, and how to send the fax step by step.
Faxing from your phone is just one way to send a fax online. If you're working from a laptop or desktop -- or just want a broader overview of how online faxing works -- our complete guide to sending a fax online covers everything from document preparation to choosing the right service.
Two Ways to Fax from a Phone
There are two approaches to faxing from your phone, and they work very differently.
Browser-based fax services let you send a fax through your phone's web browser -- Safari, Chrome, or whatever you normally use. You visit the service's website, upload a file, enter the fax number, and pay. No app to install, no account to create, no storage used on your phone. This is the simplest option if you fax occasionally or just need to send one fax right now.
Fax apps are dedicated applications you download from the App Store or Google Play. Most require you to create an account and sign up for a subscription plan before you can send anything. Apps can make sense if you fax frequently and need features like receiving faxes, storing sent documents, or integrating with cloud storage. But for a one-time or occasional fax, they add unnecessary steps and ongoing costs.
This guide focuses on the browser-based approach, since it's the fastest way to get a fax sent from your phone.
Preparing Your Document on Your Phone
Before you can fax anything, you need a digital file. The most common scenarios are:
You already have a digital document. If someone emailed you a PDF, you downloaded a form, or you have a file saved on your phone -- you're ready to go. Make sure you know where the file is stored. On iPhone, check the Files app; on Android, check your Downloads folder or Files app.
You have a paper document that needs scanning. If you're holding a physical piece of paper -- a signed form, a handwritten letter, a printed contract -- you'll need to scan it into a digital file first. We cover how to do this in the next section.
You have a document in the wrong format. If your file is in Word, Google Docs, or another non-PDF format, convert it to PDF before faxing. On iPhone, you can open the file and use the Share menu to select "Print," then pinch outward on the preview to save it as a PDF. On Android, most apps let you "Print" to a PDF printer, or you can use Google Docs to export as PDF. This step matters because PDF produces the most reliable fax quality.
How to Scan a Paper Document with Your Phone
If your document is on paper, you need to scan it first. Your phone has everything you need -- no scanner required.
On iPhone (iOS Notes Scanner)
Open the Notes app and create a new note. Tap the camera icon, then select "Scan Documents". Position your phone over the document -- the app will automatically detect the edges and capture the page. You can scan multiple pages in sequence. When you're done, tap "Save".
To get the scan as a PDF: open the scanned note, tap the share icon, and select "Save to Files". This saves it as a PDF in your Files app, ready to upload.
On Android (Google Drive Scanner)
Open the Google Drive app and tap the "+" button, then select "Scan". Point your camera at the document and capture it. You can add more pages by tapping the "+" icon. When finished, tap "Save" and choose a location in your Drive.
The file saves as a PDF. You can access it through the Google Drive app or your phone's Files app.
Tips for a Good Scan
Use natural light or a bright, even lamp. Avoid shadows falling across the page -- especially from your phone or your hand.
Lay the page flat on a contrasting surface. A dark desk works best for white paper.
Keep your phone parallel to the page, not at an angle. The auto-detection works best when the camera is directly above the document.
Check the result before moving on. Zoom in to make sure text is sharp and signatures are visible. If any page looks blurry or dark, delete it and rescan that page.
Step-by-Step: Sending a Fax from Your Phone
Once your document is ready as a PDF (or PNG, JPEG, or TIFF), the actual faxing takes about two minutes. Here's how it works with JustFax Online:
Step 1 — Open the website. Open your phone's browser and go to justfaxonline.com. The site is fully mobile-friendly -- no pinching, zooming, or sideways scrolling.
Step 2 — Upload your document. Tap the upload area and select your file. Your phone's file picker will open, where you can browse to your document in Files (iPhone) or your Downloads / file manager (Android). JustFax Online supports PDF, PNG, JPEG, and TIFF formats, up to 20MB and 200 pages.
Step 3 — Enter the fax number. Type in the recipient's full fax number. For international numbers, include the country code. You'll see the file name, format, and page count confirmed before continuing. The price is displayed before you commit -- a flat rate for the first four pages, with additional pages priced separately.
Step 4 — Pay and send. Tap "Pay & Send" and complete payment on the secure payment page. Apple Pay (Safari) and Google Pay (Chrome) are supported, so you may be able to pay with a single tap or glance. After payment, the fax is transmitted immediately.
You'll receive an email confirmation when the fax is delivered. Most small faxes arrive within five minutes.
What If Your Fax Fails?
If the receiving fax machine is busy, turned off, or unreachable, JustFax Online will retry automatically -- multiple times. You don't need to do anything.
If all retries fail, the payment authorization is released, and you're not charged. Common reasons for failure include:
- The fax number is wrong -- double-check it, including the country code
- The recipient's machine is off -- try again during their business hours
- The line is persistently busy -- wait 15–30 minutes and try again
You can check on your fax at any time using the fax ID provided after sending. Use it on the retrieve fax page to see the current status.
Why You Don't Need a Fax App
Most search results for "fax from phone" will point you toward downloading an app. Here's why that's usually not the best option for occasional faxing:
Apps require accounts. Before you can send a single page, most fax apps ask you to create an account with your email, set a password, and sometimes verify your phone number. That's a lot of steps when you just need to send one fax.
Most apps are subscription-based. The app may be free to download, but sending a fax usually requires a monthly plan -- typically $7–15/month. If you only need to fax once or twice a year, you're paying for months you don't use, or you're stuck remembering to cancel before the next billing cycle.
Apps use storage and collect data. A downloaded app sits on your phone, uses storage, may send notifications, and collects usage data. A browser-based service leaves nothing behind after you close the tab.
App Store ratings can be misleading. Many fax apps advertise as "free" but lock actual faxing behind in-app purchases or subscriptions. This leads to frustrated reviews, but the apps persist because the business model works -- people download first and discover the real cost later.
A browser-based service like JustFax Online skips all of this. You open the site, upload, pay, and send. When you're done, close the tab. Nothing installed, no subscription ticking, no account to delete later.
Faxing from a Tablet
Everything in this guide works identically on an iPad or Android tablet. The larger screen can actually make the process more comfortable -- especially reviewing a multipage document before sending. The same browser-based approach applies: open the site, upload, enter the number, pay, and send.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fax a photo I just took with my camera? Yes, but with a caveat. If you take a photo and save it as JPEG or PNG, you can upload and fax it directly. However, a photo of a document is usually lower quality than a proper scan. The built-in scanners in iOS Notes and Google Drive automatically correct perspective, crop edges, and improve contrast -- producing a much cleaner result. Use the scanner rather than the camera for documents.
Can I fax multiple pages? Yes. The easiest approach is to combine your pages into a single PDF before uploading. Both the iOS and Android scanning tools let you scan multiple pages into one file. If you already have separate files, you can merge them using the Files app on iPhone (select multiple PDFs, long-press, and choose "Create PDF") or a free PDF merge tool in your browser.
Does it work on older phones? If your phone can open a modern web browser and upload files, it will work. There's no minimum hardware requirement -- no special processing power or camera quality needed. The fax service does all the heavy lifting on its servers.
Is it secure? JustFax Online uses SSL encryption for all communication. Your document is stored securely only for the duration of the transmission and is deleted immediately after the fax is delivered. No account means no personal data stored on an ongoing basis.
Send a Fax from Your Phone Now
Ready to send? Open JustFax Online in your phone's browser. Upload your document, enter the number, pay once, and your fax is on its way. No app, no account, no subscription. Works on any iPhone, Android, or tablet — in 150+ countries.