How to send a fax from your phone
You can fax straight from your phone without downloading an app from the App Store or Google Play. OnlyFaxes works in Safari, Chrome, and every other mobile browser. Take a photo of the page with your camera, or pick a file you already have, and the rest works the same as on a desktop.
How to send a fax from your phone: step by step
Open OnlyFaxes on your phone
Open the OnlyFaxes home page in Safari (iPhone), Chrome (Android), or any other mobile browser. The interface adapts to your screen automatically.
Add your document
Tap the upload area. On iPhone you can choose Take Photo, Photo Library, or Browse (Files). On Android you can use Camera, Gallery, or Files. You can also upload a PDF or image that was emailed to you by opening it and sharing it to OnlyFaxes.
Enter the fax number
Type the recipient's fax number using your phone keyboard. OnlyFaxes formats it automatically, so just type the digits. Toggle on a cover sheet if you need one.
Send and track it
Enter your email, tap Send Fax, and put your phone away. A delivery confirmation email lands in your inbox when the fax is received, usually within minutes.
Troubleshooting
- Camera photo comes out dark or blurry
- Make sure the document is on a flat surface with good lighting. Hold your phone directly above it to avoid perspective distortion. If the result is still poor, use your phone's built-in document scanner (Files app on iPhone, Google Drive scan on Android) and upload the PDF it creates.
- Page orientation is wrong in the fax preview
- OnlyFaxes preserves the orientation of the original file. If a photo appears sideways, rotate it in your phone's Photos app before uploading.
- Upload button doesn't respond on iPhone
- Safari on iPhone sometimes requires a second tap on the upload area. If the file picker still does not appear, try switching to Chrome or clearing Safari's cache. Make sure iOS is updated to the latest version.
- Fax delivery is slow on mobile data
- Uploading on a cellular connection can be slower than Wi-Fi, especially for multi-page documents. Once the upload completes, the fax is transmitted from our servers at full speed regardless of your connection. You will receive the delivery confirmation email even if you close the browser.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install an app to fax from my phone?
- No. OnlyFaxes runs entirely in your mobile browser. There is nothing to download from the App Store or Google Play.
Can I photograph a paper document and fax it?
- Yes. Tap the upload area and choose your camera. Take a clear, well-lit photo and OnlyFaxes will convert it into a fax-ready page. For multiple pages, upload each photo as a separate file.
Does OnlyFaxes work on older phones?
- OnlyFaxes works in any modern mobile browser, including Safari on iOS 15+ and Chrome on Android 10+. Older devices may experience slower uploads for large files, but the fax tool itself is lightweight and responsive.