There are many different forms of communication in the digital age in which we all live. The internet has seemingly made the world smaller and it is now possible to communicate with people anywhere on earth almost instantly. You are most likely familiar with common current communication methods such as email, phone, and even video calls. The ability to send information so quickly is an amazing part of the age we are all a part of.
Older methods of communicating and sending information do still exist. Some people still have landline phones and others still send faxes. In this article, we will look at how to send a fax from your MacBook Pro if you ever have the need to do so. Even though this form of sending and receiving text information is a bit dated, it is still possible and a task you might want to perform at some point.
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Mar 26, 2018 In that case, you can also send a fax from Mac for free online. This requires you to use a fax online service, such as CocoFax or RingCentral. These online platforms help you send fax from Mac for free as simply as if you were sending an eMail. Fax free download - FAX, Fax, Fax Machine, and many more programs. Manage the sender name information when sending faxes from your PC. Free User rating. Fax Fetch Software. Jan 07, 2020 iFax – The Mac store claims that this is the most popular faxing software in the world and it is designed to work really well with your MacBook Pro. Easy to use and free for a. Fax software offers the perfect solution if you want to send faxes without buying an expensive, bulky fax machine. But in recent years decent fax applications for the Mac have been tough to find.
What is Fax?
A fax is essentially a copy of an image or document made by scanning that is then transmitted in the form of data over telecommunication links. Fax machines were popular for a variety of purposes before the age of the internet. By using one of these machines, you could send important documents and information much faster than ‘snail’ mail and it was a sign of the progress in communication that was to come.
A fax is sent by converting images or text information from a scanned document into bitmap format which can then be transmitted over the telephone system in the form of audio-frequency tones. If you’ve ever seen a fax machine in action, you will no doubt recall the robotic modem sounds that are created when a fax is being received. Many businesses and organizations had fax machines as integral components to their daily operations.
Think of fax as like the original way to send an attachment, as we do with modern email. Although fax machines are not as common as they once were, they do still exist and it’s possible to send one over your computer if you have the correct hardware or software to do so.
Can My MacBook Pro Send Faxes?
The short answer to this is yes. Your MacBook Pro can indeed send a fax. But you might need to install software to do so unless you have a really old MacBook that has a built-in fax modem. We will take a look at how to send a fax with any MacBook below but basically, if your computer has a standard phone input, it probably has the ability to send faxes. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to download software to have the ability to send a fax.
How to Fax From a MacBook Pro
As I indicated above, there are basically two ways to send a fax from your MacBook Pro. One method is to use the hardware that might be built into an older model Mac to complete the task over a phone line and modem. The other is to download software that will enable your computer to send faxes to fax numbers around the world. The software method is much more popular these days but we will take a look at how to send a fax both ways.
How to Send a Fax with Built-In Hardware
If your computer has a phone line input built into it, you can use this to send faxes from any application that allows you to print documents. A MacBook equipped with this phone line input has a built-in fax modem that will allow you to complete the task and you won’t need to use an external fax machine.
- Plug in the phone line into your computer’s phone input.
- Open the document that you want to fax.
- Click File from the top menu.
- Click Print.
- Click the PDF button on the bottom.
- Click Fax PDF from the drop-down menu here.
- Enter the Fax number where you want to send the document in the To field.
- Click Use Cover Page if you want to include a cover page in the fax, you can type a subject line or intro message here as well.
- Click Fax.
How to Send a Fax Using Fax Software
If your computer is more modern, there is a pretty good chance that you will not have a phone line for an input option. In this case, you’ll need to download faxing software in order to be able to send a fax. There are many different programs that will give you the ability to send a fax after you download and install the software and we will take a look at a few of those options here.
Since each one of these software options has a different user interface, I won’t explain how to send a fax from each. Instead, I’m going to list some popular faxing apps with a brief description and you can choose whatever program you think is best. All of these will afford you the ability to send a fax quickly and easily.
- iFax – The Mac store claims that this is the most popular faxing software in the world and it is designed to work really well with your MacBook Pro. Easy to use and free for a week, then you’ll have to pay.
- FaxPro – Another great fax app for your MacBook that is simple and easy to use. There is an upfront cost but then you can send unlimited faxes from there on out. I like this over monthly subscription models.
- FaxDocument – This app has my favorite interface that is really easy to use with a drag and drop style to send faxes. It has a simple layout and is self-explanatory to get started with sending faxes.
Final Thoughts
Now you know how to send a fax from your MacBook Pro. If you download one of the software options, it really is easy to send a fax. If you want some more options for faxing software, take a look at these. If your computer has a phone line, it’s also really easy to send a fax utilizing the hardware that is already built into your computer. Either way, sending a fax is still possible today even though it might seem as old as a telegram!
Have you ever sent a fax from your MacBook? Did you use software or built-in hardware?
Fax remains one of the most popular ways to send and receive documents in 2020, seeing as it’s far more secure than emails. Mac hard drive tools software download. It’s a mainstay of many organizations, including government institutions as well as businesses.
Of course, fax technology has come a long way since the 1980s, which was when fax machines became commonplace in organizations. In fact, these days you don’t even need a fax machine to be able to send or receive a fax!
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Part 1: Can I Send a Fax from My Computer?
Contents
Yes, you can indeed send a fax from your computer. And, in case you’re wondering, you don’t need any special technical skills or gear either. You can send and receive a fax from any computer just as easily as you do email.
How do you send a fax from a computer? There are three ways to do so:
1. Send a fax from a computer using an internet fax service (Easy and pocket-friendly)
The easiest way to send a fax from your computer is with an online fax service such as CocoFax. All you have to do is scan and upload any document you want into your computer. The online fax service will fax it for you.
2. Send fax with Windows Fax and Scan (Requires configuration)
If you own a Windows PC (Vista and above), then you can send a fax by using the free, in-built Windows Fax and Scan software. If you own a different operating system, you may be able to use another third-party app. Call of duty 1.3 crack download. Check Windows 10 fax guide here >>
3. Send a fax from your PC by using a connected fax machine (Can be a hassle)
You can connect compatible fax machines to your computer and then send and receive faxes from the PC via the machine. Some multifunction and commercial-grade printers also support fax from a computer. Either way, this method can be a hassle.
We’ll explain all the methods of faxing from your PC outlined above in the rest of the article:
Part 2: How to Send a Fax from a Computer
The most convenient way to send a fax from your computer – and often for free – is with an online fax service. You won’t need a landline, nor will you need a fax machine. Additionally, online fax services are massive upgrades over traditional fax machines.
How do these fax services work? They take any documents you upload onto your computer, translate them into fax format, and then fax them from their phone lines. If there is incoming fax to your number, they will forward it to your computer.
Which fax service should you use? There are several good ones out there, but we suggest you go with CocoFax.
1.1 Cocofax – The Most Reliable Way to Fax from Your Computer
CocoFax is a trusted internet fax service, used worldwide by several reputed small and big businesses. Online media channels such as BBC, TechCrunch, Mashable, and Forbes have good things to say about CocoFax.
Using CocoFax to send or receive faxes from your computer is simple. The service is free to try for 30 days, so you don’t have to commit to a purchase right off. You can send fax several hundred pages a month thereafter for a reasonable fee.
1.2 Fax from Computer via CocoFax
How do you fax from your computer without phone line via CocoFax? You need a CocoFax subscription. You can then use your web browser to send and receive faxes.
Here are step-by-step instructions on how to fax with CocoFax by using your web browser:
Step 1: First, sign up for a CocoFax subscription on the official website. It’s free to try for a month, so you don’t have to pay.
During the first part of the sign-up, you need to choose a free fax number.
During the second part of the sign-up, you provide some personal details like your email address. You’ll get notifications on this email address.
Once you sign-up successfully, you’ll be taken to the CocoFax dashboard automatically.
Step 2: The CocoFax dashboard is essentially where you go to if you want to fax or read faxes. It tracks your faxing activity and also acts as an archive for old faxes.
When you’re ready to send your first fax, click on the “New Fax” option in the corner. This will load up the fax creation window.
Step 3: The “Send Fax” window is just like the window where you write an email. It’s where you write the fax. It should be a breeze if you’re used to writing emails.
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- “To” field: The recipient’s fax number – local or international – goes here.
- “Subject” (Optional): This part is optional. If you include the subject, it gets printed at the top of the fax document you’re sending out.
- Cover page (Optional): The cover page is the first page of the fax you’re sending. It’s optional.
- Attachments: The attachments are the most important part for most. They are the electronic scans or photos of the documents you want to fax. Supported formats include Pdf, Xls, Doc, and Png.
Step 4: After you’ve composed the fax and attached all the documents, you can click the “Send” button to send out the fax.
When the fax is delivered, you’ll get a confirmation notification in the dashboard. You should also get a notification in the email address you registered with.
If you accidentally enter the wrong number, however, the fax will fail. You’ll be notified of the error in the dashboard if that’s the case. Sometimes the fax may fail because the recipient’s fax machine is having problems or is busy. Nesting software for mac pdf.
Note that CocoFax can also be accessed from your computer in other ways. For example:
- You can fax from your any email client like Gmail with CocoFax.
- You can fax from within an Office 365 app like MS Word with the CocoFax add-on.
- You can also fax from Google Drive with the CocoFax add-on.
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Also Read: How to fax from Mac
1.3 How to Receive a Fax on Your Computer
What if you want to receive a fax on your computer? You’ll need a fax number and a CocoFax subscription. CocoFax will then forward all incoming faxes to your CocoFax dashboard. You don’t need a fax machine or a printer to access incoming faxes.
If there are documents attached to the fax, they will be converted into PDF format. You can download and view these documents on your PC directly. Note that it’s not possible to receive a fax if you don’t have a fax number. You get one for free when you sign up for CocoFax.
Part 3: Send a Fax From Your Computer via Any Email Client
If you have a CocoFax subscription, you can send a fax from your computer via any email client. This includes Gmail, Outlook, and MSN, among others. Most online fax services also support faxing from email.
Sending a fax from your computer via email offers several advantages:
- It’s as simple as writing an email and sending it to the recipient’s fax number, followed by “@cocofax.com”.
- You get notifications when there are incoming faxes.
- You can check for new faxes as easily as you do emails.
- You don’t have to log into a separate dashboard to send a fax.
Note that you can log into your email account from your PC web browser or by using a desktop application. The process of sending a fax remains the same for both.
Free simple home budget software. Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on how you can send a fax from an email client with CocoFax:
Step 1: First, sign up for a CocoFax account. It takes a couple of minutes. Choose your free fax number during the sign-up.
Next, fill in the form. Be sure to provide the email ID you wish to fax from in this step. CocoFax will register this email address. It’ll be from where you can send faxes as well as receive them.
Step 2: Next, log into the email ID you registered during the signup. You can do so from your web browser or via a desktop app, whatever is more convenient.
Step 3: You’re now going to write an email, which CocoFax will translate into fax format and forward for you.
Click on the “Compose New Email” option and provide the following details:
- “To”: Instead of entering the email address of the recipient in the “To” field, enter the target fax number. This should be followed by “@cocofax.com”. For example, if their fax number is 123456, then enter “[email protected]”.
- “Subject” (Optional): The subject becomes a note on the top of the fax document you’re sending.
- Email Body (Optional): The email body is the cover page of the fax you’re sending. Cover pages, if you don’t know, are the first page of the fax document.
- Fax files: You can fax multiple documents at once from your email ID, just like with a regular fax machine. Simply scan and attach any document you wish to send to the email. You can also upload a photo of the document.
Step 4: Click on the “Send” button when you’re ready. That’s it! You’ve successfully sent out the fax.
You’ll get a confirmation email if the fax is sent successfully. If there is a problem at the recipient’s end or if you entered an incorrect number, you’ll be notified of the same.
What about incoming faxes? All incoming faxes will be forwarded to your email address by CocoFax. If there were documents with the fax, they will be attached to the email as PDF documents.
Part 4: Directly Fax from Your Computer Using CocoFax’s Add-On
Do you use Google Drive? If you wish to fax any documents that are stored in Google Drive, you can do so directly from within Google Drive itself. How? By installing the CocoFax add-on – it’s free when you sign-up for CocoFax. Not all online fax services support this feature.
Why would you want to fax from Google Drive? It’s more convenient than download the document and then faxing it from your web browser or by email. It saves you time.
How do you fax from Google Drive with CocoFax? Here are the simple steps to follow:
Step 1: Sign up for a CocoFax subscription. During the sign-up, provide the Gmail address associated with the Google Drive account.
Step 2: Next, log in to the Gmail account associated with CocoFax. Then open Google Drive from your web browser.
Step 3: Find the document you want to fax. Open the document. Look for the “Add-ons” option in the menu bar at the top. Here, look for the CocoFax add-on. Select it and click on the “Install” option. Follow the instructions and grant the required permissions to install the add-on.
Step 4: Once the add-on is installed, it should appear in the menu bar at the top or in the add-ons sub-menu (Add-ons > CocoFax). Click on the “Send Fax” option. Alternatively, you can right-click on the document and click on the CocoFax option there.
Step 5: The fax creation window will open up. Fill it out. In the “To” field, you need to enter the recipient’s fax number. If necessary, enter some text as the cover page. Click on send when you’re done.
That’s it! You have now successfully sent a fax from Google Drive. Repeat as many times as necessary to fax multiple documents.
Part 5: Fax from PC via Windows Fax and Scan
You can use Windows Fax and Scan to send a fax from your computer. Fax and Scan is an in-built utility that comes for free with the Windows operating system. It should be preinstalled on your computer.
Note that we don’t recommend this method. It’s not as convenient as an online fax service, not to mention you need to own a landline to be able to use it. Here are some of the drawbacks of this method:
- The computer must always be on and connected to the fax machine if you want to send or receive faxes.
- You must own a fax modem and a landline phone line that supports fax. This costs a certain amount of money to maintain per month.
- You will need a fax number.
- You may have to sign up for international faxing separately.
- You can’t fax over the internet using Windows Fax and Scan.
- You can’t use a cellular connection with the service.
- This only works with Windows – Mac users need to look elsewhere.
If you have all the prerequisites ready, then you can start sending faxes from your computer with the service. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Install the fax modem. You will have to purchase this separately from a store or online. You may be able to plug in the modem to install it. Some models, however, require a manual software install. Refer to the instructions accompanying the modem.
Step 2: Next, you have to connect the fax modem to your phone line. You’ll need a phone cord for this, which – again – you may need to purchase separately.
Note that the phone line needs to be a non-VOIP line. That means only a traditional phone line will work.
Step 3: Now you need to configure Windows Fax and Scan.
- Open the start menu and search for Windows Fax and Scan. Open it.
- Click on “Tools > Fax Accounts”. Click on Add to add the modem.
- Go to “Tools > Fax Settings” if you want to configure additional options.
We recommend referring to Windows Help if you want additional information on Fax Settings.
Step 4: Read to send the fax? Open the Windows Fax and Scan app. Click on “New Fax”. The first time you send a fax, the new fax wizard program will run. Follow the instructions.
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Once that’s done, write the fax. Attach any documents you wish to fax there. Click on “Send” to send your fax.
How do you receive faxes? They will appear in the app on the computer. Note that you will need to configure the settings first.
Look for the “Automatically Answer after _ Rings” option in “Fax > Tools > Fax Settings > General > Send/ Receive Options > Allow device to receive fax calls”. Fill in the number of rings, like, say, 5. The fax service will answer after 5 rings.
Part 6: Fax from a Computer Using a Connected Fax Machine or Printer
Finally, you can fax from a computer by connecting it to a fax machine or a printer with fax capabilities. The fax machine or printer manufacturer will include a setup manual in such cases. Refer to the setup instructions to configure the fax service.
Note that faxing with a computer from an attached fax machine or printer has significant drawbacks. You have to pay for the fax machine or printer, the stationery, and the phone line. It also needs to be on and operated 24×7 – otherwise, your risk missing incoming faxes.
Part 7: FAQs
1. Is it safe to send a fax from a computer?
Sending a fax from a computer is very safe. In fact, it’s much safer than sending a fax via a traditional fax machine. Electronic faxes are encrypted and sent over a secure connection. That means only you and the person on the other end can read your fax communication.
2. Are online fax services cheaper than fax machines?
That depends on the service you opt for. CocoFax happens to be significantly cheaper for most individual and business needs, yes. Many businesses spend thousands of dollars each month on fax-related expenses. CocoFax can cut these costs drastically.
3. Do I need a phone line or a fax machine to fax from my computer?
You don’t need a phone line or a fax machine to fax from your computer if you opt to use an internet fax service. If you don’t opt for an internet fax service, however, a phone line and a fax modem or fax machine are mandatory.
4. What kind of documents can I fax from my PC?
All the documents you can send via a regular fax machine you can send through your computer, as long as you can convert them into an electronic format. You can convert documents into electronic format by scanning them or simply taking a photo of the document with your phone.
5. Can I send a fax directly to a computer?
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You can send a fax directly to a computer only if it’s configured to use a service such as Windows Fax and Scan. Note that the recipient will need a unique fax number as well. Fax is always linked to phone lines.
Finish
That concludes our guide on how to fax from your computer. To summarize, you can fax from your computer for free for 30 days by using an online fax service like CocoFax. These services are secure, reliable, and super-fast.
The other ways to fax from your computer include using Windows Fax and Scan and sending a fax from a connected fax machine or printer. We don’t recommend these alternatives because they’re expensive, inconvenient, and time-consuming.