How to send a fax from an iPhone

Updated October 31, 2026

An iPhone can't fax by itself. You scan your pages, then an app or online service places the fax call for you. You don't need a fax machine or a landline.

What you need

The pages, on paper or as a PDF or photo.
The fax number of the person or office. It should be a fax line, not a voice line.
An internet connection.

Three ways to do it

Way	Good for	Watch out for
A pay-per-fax app	A fax now and then	Check the page limit and what happens if it fails
A monthly fax plan	Regular faxing, or receiving faxes	You pay every month, even when you send nothing
A copy or shipping shop	When you can't use an app	You pay by the page, and you have to go there

How it works in Fax Once

Scan or import. Hold the camera over each page, or import a photo or PDF. Check that every page is sharp and straight, because the other side gets a black-and-white copy.
Enter the number. Type the US or Canada fax number with its area code. Add a cover sheet if the fax is going to a shared machine.
See the price and send. You see the price before anything is charged, then pay or use a credit.
Save the receipt. When the other machine confirms, you get a receipt with the number, page count, time and result.

Tips for a fax that reads well

Scan in good light on a dark, plain surface so the edges of the page are easy to find.
Fax turns pages into black and white, so colored highlights may come out dark or vanish. Use a pen rather than a highlighter.
Check the number twice. A fax goes to whatever machine answers, and you can't call it back.
If a fax fails, the usual reasons are a busy line, no answer, or a number that isn't a fax line. Call the office to confirm the number before you try again.

Can I receive a fax on my iPhone too?

Not with Fax Once, which only sends. To receive faxes you need your own fax number, which usually means a monthly plan. If you only need to send, you can skip that cost. Read how to fax without a subscription.