Articles and Lifehacks
Unfortunately, not every owner of a mobile device knows that how to receive a fax on your phone. But this is a little more complicated than the much-vaunted Apple. That’s right: he will be able to receive all messages sent to his fax on his cellular device, subject to certain conditions.
In our article we will talk about how to send and receive faxes from mobile devices, as well as the special software used for this.
Sending and receiving a fax from your phone
A modern cellular device is not only a communication device, but also serves to transmit necessary information.
If its owner needs to regularly receive and send faxes, but he does not have the physical ability to do this (for example, he constantly travels and does not have the opportunity to always be at a desktop PC), he can use his phone for this.
To send a fax from a cellular device, follow these steps: First, we call the support service and ask the consultant to connect the service for receiving and sending faxes. In this case, we will need to connect an additional telephone number that would be used to transmit information. It would be a good idea to check the prices for this service in order to know exactly how much you should top up your balance with.
We synchronize your mobile device with your computer. To do this, it is most convenient to use a data cable or Bluetooth. A notification that a new device has been detected should appear on your computer monitor.
Pre-installation of drivers may be required (required when connecting via a data cable). As a rule, a disk with them can be found in the phone package.
So, everything is installed, and the mobile device is connected to the computer and detected by it. We launch the software and make sure that the computer really sees our phone.
In the search bar through the “Start” menu of the computer, enter the word “fax”. The search should reveal the corresponding application. We launch it, click “File” and select the required operation. We connect to the fax modem.
We enter the appropriate settings in the windows that open. After this, a form for sending a fax should appear in front of us. Enter the text of our message (remembering to indicate the subject) and phone number, and then press the send button. So, our fax has been sent.
Instructions for receiving a fax on a mobile phone
To receive a fax, we need a special program, as well as a telephone with a built-in modem.
If our cellular device does not have a built-in modem, we should make sure that it is possible to connect an external modem. You can certainly find out this in the manual for the phone or on the official website of the manufacturer.
So, how to receive a fax on your phone? Just as in the case of sending a fax, let's start by calling the operator and requesting to connect the service for receiving and sending faxes.
Unfortunately, many domestic operators today only offer fax sending, and therefore you should first verify this possibility. An example of a company offering reception is MTS, although everything depends on the region.
We are installing software for working with fax messages on our phone. An example of a suitable program is WinFax, although here we use our own discretion. It is recommended to avoid unknown sites and also check downloaded files with an antivirus, otherwise we risk damaging our phone.
We also configure the mobile device, inform about relevant events, enter contact information, etc.
The subscriber will need to consult with his mobile operator in advance about subsequent actions.
You can sign a PDF document on your phone, tablet or any other computer and send it to anyone. But some organizations still do not accept documents by email—you may need to fax your documents. You will not be able to use your smartphone as a fax machine or for dial-up dialing. You will need to rely on an app or third-party service to send the fax, just as you would send a fax from your PC.
How to Send and Receive Faxes Online Without a Fax Machine or Phone Line
You won't find an app that allows you to send unlimited faxes for free. Every app you find will cost you money if you use it regularly. Some apps will be able to send you a few pages for free, but that's about it. These services must pay for the telephone numbers and interface with the telephone network for you. Your smartphone will not be able to make modem calls, so you are faced with a rather non-trivial task.
And although all these services will cost you money, you can choose a cheaper and more convenient method. An alternative is to pay for the use of fax machines at post offices or purchase your own fax machine and connect it to the telephone line. Both options are likely to be significantly more expensive if you just need to send a few faxes. If you just bought a phone from the MobiOK online store and want to make the most of it, this article is for you.
The proposed method also allows you to do everything completely electronically. You can sign and fill out PDF documents on your phone and fax them. Or use your phone's camera to scan paper documents and fax them.
Faxing apps for iPhone and Android
Type "fax" into the App Store and you'll find quite a few options, but none of the apps are actually free. The few that do provide you with a few free fax pages are usually limited to only a few pages before they start asking for money.
But there's a big problem - the vast majority of cases where you need to fax something require increased confidentiality. You are faxing a document containing highly personal information—after all, healthcare organizations, tax authorities, or government agencies typically require faxes containing personal information.
You cannot trust anyone who operates a fax machine with your personal information. So, we have some recommendations for you.
RingCentral Fax
If you'll be sending confidential faxes regularly or work for a company that needs such a service, then RingCentral Fax, partly owned by Cisco and AT&T, is probably the best choice for your needs. Especially because the service has many excellent security features and support for multiple users. with separate fax lines.
They also have a really user-friendly mobile app that is probably one of the most seamless ways to fax. Additionally, you can send faxes via email. The app has every feature you can imagine, including integration with Outlook, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and you can even get a toll-free number. The service also has many security features that can be useful for companies or people who transmit protected information.
Of course, if you just want to send a few faxes, you can use one of their cheap plans, costing less than $7 per month... and then just cancel your subscription after a month or two.
Sending one or more faxes
If you just want to send a few faxes occasionally, you can choose eFax, which is well known as the company that basically invented digital faxing. They have a great mobile app that allows you to send and receive faxes.
If you just need to send a fax, we also recommend MyFax, which allows you to send up to 10 free pages without having to pay. That's not a lot, but it's more faxes than most users send in a year. If you need to send more pages every month, you can upgrade to the regular plan.
Both of these services are reputable and belong to the same large company that has been operating in this market for many years. This is not some overnight operation. They may not provide all the security features that RingCentral does, but you don't have to worry about who has access to your personal information.
Sending a fax by email
If you use a Windows Phone, Blackberry, Fire Tablet, or other operating system, you can always sign up for RingCentral, eFax, or MyFax and then use the website to send the fax—or you can use their fax by email.
Almost all services allow you to send faxes by emailing the document to the number you are trying to fax to. For example, if you want to send a fax to 800-666-3434, you would send the document via email, e.g. [email protected](not real address).
The ability to send faxes by email means that any mobile device can easily send faxes, without installing additional applications.
Ultimately, there is no optimal fax application for everyone. If you need to send quite a few pages on an ongoing basis, a service like RingCentral or eFax may be best. If you just want to send one or more faxes, MyFax is probably your best choice.
If you are using a smart phone on another mobile platform (such as Windows Phone), your best bet is to find a fax service that allows you to send faxes via email, which is generally the easiest and best way to send faxes.
Fax is a representative of office equipment that is available in almost every office, be it a small private organization or a large government agency. Facsimile is a special technology for transmitting data in the form of text and images using electrical signals. The first devices with such functions were created back in the 19th century, but they became widespread much later. A modern fax machine is a device that often combines the qualities of a scanner, modem, printer and fax. To operate it, you need a sheet-fed scanner with automatic sheet feeding. How does a fax work? When sending, the scanner recognizes information from paper and, converting it into digital format, transmits it to the modem. That, in turn, translates the messages into an analog signal and sends it to the receiving device via a telephone line. The receiving device uses a modem to demodulate the signal, converting it from analog to digital. Then it passes it to the printer, which transfers everything onto paper - an exact copy of the original document is ready. This is exactly the principle of telefax operation.
The popularity of the devices reached its peak when models appeared that could display images on thermal paper using a telephone line connection. Such devices had a simple design and low cost of associated materials. One drawback is that thermal paper begins to fade and lose its image over time, so such documents cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Fax machines using thermal film transfer a substance with ink onto a page of ordinary paper - much like carbon paper. But, it is worth noting that the original thermal film is much more expensive than thermal paper. A roll of such film is equal to only 150 pages.
Faxes with a built-in inkjet printer produce high-quality color images and copies of documents. The high cost of the devices and materials themselves, however, guarantees high-quality results and image brightness. But printouts need time to dry, they are very sensitive to moisture, it is necessary to periodically change cartridges to prevent the ink from drying out. One cartridge is enough for an average of 900 pages.
The most expensive are laser technologies, but if you compare them with inkjet technologies, then in general their use will be cheaper, since one cartridge is enough to print 2000 pages.
MFPs are also commercially available, which may include a scanner, an automatic paper feed mechanism; memory for messages sent and received; telephone, switching the device between different modes automatically, the ability to connect to a computer.
How to connect a fax to a computer
Nowadays, all computers and laptops have the ability to connect a fax modem, and the procedure for setting up the device using Windows OS is very simple and accessible to everyone. By default, the fax service is inactive on personal computers.
- First, you need to go to the “Control Panel” system directory and select the “Add or Remove Programs” column. On the left, in the panel there is “Install Windows Components”, you must select this option.
- You will see a list of components to install. Among all, you need to find “Fax Service”. As a result, the “Component Wizard” instructions will appear, following which you must perform the described actions.
- If during installation, your computer recognizes the device, then a corresponding shortcut will appear in the “Printers and Faxes” tab. This means that using any program that supports the ability to print documents, you can send the document to this printer. And the document will be sent via fax.
- Make all the settings and click on the “Printers and Faxes” directory. With the left button of the computer mouse you need to click on the line of printers/faxes. This will open a context menu in which select the “Properties” column.
- The “General” tab in the dialog box that opens contains basic parameters for print quality and paper orientation. Here you can specify the printer name. In the “Access” tab, you can configure access parameters for the printer-fax, for example, allowing network users to use the device.
- The “Archives” tab contains information about all documents.
- The “Devices” tab will allow you to select the required device, and if you select the “Properties” button again, you will see three tabs: “Receiving”, “Sending”, “Cleaning”. In the “Receive” window, the recipient code is indicated. You can also configure automatic or manual reception of incoming fax calls here. The “Cleaning” tab contains settings for automatically deleting those messages that were received with errors.
How to connect a fax to a telephone line, and in what modes it can operate
In every office there is a place and use for a fax machine, or, more simply, a fax machine. But, in order to start receiving/sending various documents and images to different parts of the world, the device must be connected to a telephone line. For proper installation and configuration, you first need to read the instructions that are included with the fax. The content of all instructions boils down to the following points:
- The fax machine must be set to answering machine/fax mode. When a fax receives a call, it will recognize the tone of the signal and decipher it. If the call is normal, the answering machine will turn on, and when you send a document, your device will automatically switch to fax mode and receive the sent text or image. For the answering machine to work correctly, it is advisable to record a voice message about the start of the call recording.
- It is advisable to connect the fax to a separate telephone line, if possible. Then the setup will be very convenient and easy, thanks to a simple method. The machine must be set to Fax operating mode. And then each call will be defined as an attempt to transfer a document. The device will automatically receive sent messages without your intervention. If desired, you can configure the number of calls, after receiving which, the fax machine will begin receiving documents.
- If you need to receive calls from your fax machine, you should use the Phone mode. Then all faxes can only be received manually. If you hear a long beep when you pick up the phone, someone is trying to fax you. To accept, press the Start button. If the transmission of documents is incorrect and needs to be cancelled, then just use the Stop button.
- You can add an additional number and device to the fax telephone line, and configure its tone mode in the case when the fax itself is located far from the workplace. It is necessary to set the parameters for remote activation, and to receive a fax from the installed device, just press *#9.
The fax machine is quite easy to use and very durable. The main thing is to handle it with care and precision. You should know how to insert paper into the fax correctly, monitor the number of sheets in the tray, prevent them from being completely absent from the machine, and change cartridges in a timely manner. And then your device will serve for a long time and faithfully, transmitting and receiving from any distance a variety of texts, documents, images, graphics - everything that may be useful to you in your work. The fax machine can be connected in different ways and to different devices: telephone line, computer, mobile phone. You can use regular analog modems as a fax device by setting up their connection with a telephone line and a personal computing device. All this guarantees convenience and practicality.
If you do not work in a cozy office in the capital, where there are many wired telephony providers, but are in a place more remote from civilization and you have to be content with cellular communication services, but you also need to receive and send faxes, you can do this through your mobile operator. Only special equipment is needed.
Fax operation in GSM networks
To implement receiving and sending faxes via the GSM network, you should purchase equipment that supports fax transmission. For example, GSM terminal TelecomFM Cell-FAX 2 (cost - 6,900 rubles). In addition, you will need to activate the appropriate service from your telecom operator. This service is activated only upon a personal visit of the subscriber to the office of the mobile operator, because For fax operation, you will be allocated an additional telephone number, when you call it you will immediately hear a fax beep.
Photo of GSM terminal TelecomFM Cell-FAX 2:
The next step is to insert your SIM card into the GSM terminal, connect a fax machine to its Fax connector, and connect a telephone directly to the connector marked Tel. The fax machine should be set to automatically receive faxes.
Keep in mind! The GSM network currently does not support simultaneous voice and data transmission, i.e. You will not be able to answer a call and then immediately receive a fax. To receive a fax, you will definitely need to call the fax number, which will automatically immediately sound the appropriate beep.
Faxing on the Sky Link network
The mobile operator Sky Link in the Moscow region and throughout Russia has its own differences. In Moscow and the Moscow region, faxing via a standard fax machine on the Sky Link network will not work. You can receive and send faxes only through the additional Sky Link service “Fax-mail”.
In many other regions of our country where the Sky Link network operates, it is possible to connect and transmit faxes in the same way as through a regular wired communication line. For example, in the Kaluga region you can connect a CDMA terminal with a SkyLink Base Huawei FT 2050 fax card (cost - 3,590 rubles) and talk on the phone as usual, and then receive a fax on your fax machine.
Photo SkyLink Base Huawei FT 2050:
Let's take a closer look at the Fax Mail service for subscribers in Moscow and the Moscow region. It allows you to receive faxes without using a fax machine, no matter what model of phone you use. For example, if you have a Ubiquam U-300 phone, you can even calmly talk to your interlocutor while moving in a car, and then immediately receive a fax from him.
This is done according to the following scheme:
- We connect the “Fax Mail” service (adding a service - 34.22 rubles, subscription fee - 171.10 rubles per month) through the Sky Link operator or in your personal account on the website www.skypoint.ru
- We set up the service: indicate the email address to which faxes will be sent
- We check whether you have activated the “Call Waiting” and “Call Transfer” services - with their help you will first talk on the phone and then, if necessary, receive a fax.
After this simple procedure, you will be able to receive faxes regardless of your location (except for roaming) as follows. You receive a call asking you to receive a fax. You transfer the call to fax-mail number 0570 and your interlocutor hears a fax beep, and you, in turn, receive an SMS message about an incoming fax. This fax will then be sent to the email address you provided.
To send a fax, you need to scan it and then send it through the appropriate service to
Your question:
How to send a fax from a mobile phone?
Master's answer:
A mobile phone allows you not only to stay connected, but also to transfer data. If your work involves constantly sending and transmitting information, and you have to be on the road, you can also carry out these actions using a cell phone.
The subscriber needs to contact the customer support operator by following the instructions in the voice menu. You need to request connection to the service for receiving and transmitting information from faxes. In this case, you definitely need to find out the cost of the service and keep a certain amount of money in your account.
The phone must be synchronized with the computer. It is more convenient to carry out the procedure using a Bluetooth connection and a data cable. To connect using Bluetooth, first activate the profile on the phone, and then enable the search for devices on the computer. A message will appear on the screen indicating that a new device has been detected and that drivers need to be installed. You must wait for the operation to complete.
If a data cable is used for connection, drivers must be installed on the computer. If you don't have an installation CD, you can download drivers from the official website of your cell phone manufacturer. After downloading, you need to install synchronization software. The mobile phone is connected to the computer, and information about the discovery of a new device will immediately appear on the screen. After the installation process is completed, the user launches the software to perform synchronization.
Through the Start menu, open the search bar and enter the name “fax”. Then launch the Windows Fax and Scan application. By opening the “file” section, select the required operation: scanning, new message or faxing a photo. A list of fax devices will be displayed on the screen, from which I select the one I need. From the list, select “Connect to a fax modem”. After setting the settings in the windows, a form for sending a fax will appear on the screen. Here you need to enter the phone number, subject and text of the message. When the desired images are attached to the message, click the “Send” button.
