You don’t need a dedicated fax app to send a fax from Android. Open DearFax in your browser, upload a document, and enter the recipient’s fax number. DearFax handles the transmission; your phone needs an internet connection, not a fax line.
The first step depends on where your document is: already saved as a file, or sitting on paper in front of you.
Find the file you want to send
If someone sent you a PDF in Gmail, download the attachment. Check your phone’s Downloads folder or file manager so you know where to find it when uploading.
If it’s in Google Drive, open the file’s menu and download a copy if it isn’t available through your browser’s file picker. Upload the document itself, not a link that asks the recipient to open Drive.
For a document you’re still editing, finish your changes and export it as a PDF. Open that saved copy to check the page breaks and any signature. Our PDF faxing guide covers the document checks in more detail.
Scan a paper document
Google Drive’s Android app can save a scan as a PDF:
- Open Google Drive and tap the Camera button.
- Point the camera at the page and capture it.
- Adjust the crop so it includes the whole page without the surrounding desk.
- Use Add to capture the remaining pages.
- Tap Done, name the file, choose .pdf, and save it.
Google’s scanning instructions show the available controls. Their position can vary with app updates.
Put the paper on a flat surface with even light. Watch for a shadow from your hand or phone, especially over small print. Before putting the document away, open the scan and zoom in on names, dates, and signatures. Retake an unclear page now rather than sending it and hoping it will be readable.
Add the document in your browser
Open DearFax in your browser and tap Send a fax. Choose Upload file and select the document you saved.
Wait for the pages to appear in the preview. Check that they’re upright, complete, and in the intended order. Remove blank or unrelated pages. You can add another file if the recipient also needs supporting documents.
Preparing the draft doesn’t require an account. You’ll be asked to sign up or sign in before you send it.
Check the fax number and cover
Enter the recipient’s fax number and check the country selection. Use the number from the recipient’s current instructions, not a voice number or an old contact entry you haven’t checked.
If the fax is going to a shared office, the cover page helps someone route it. Add the recipient’s name or department, your name, and a brief explanation. Include a reference number when requested.
DearFax’s cover page is editable in the draft. If you already have a cover sheet from the recipient, upload it and remove any extra cover you don’t need.
Send and follow the status
After signing in, review the complete draft and your available page allowance. Follow the send confirmation in the composer. Creating your account or uploading the document does not send the fax on its own.
Open Sent in your workspace to check what happened. A fax may take time to transmit, so don’t resend just because it hasn’t finished immediately.
Delivered confirms delivery to the receiving fax system. It doesn’t confirm that the person you’re trying to reach has read it. If it fails, check the number and available error information before trying again.
A few things to know before you leave
Your Android phone’s mobile number doesn’t become a fax number. You can send over Wi-Fi or mobile data, but receiving a fax back requires a receiving number. Here’s how to get one.
DearFax’s Free plan includes 10 pages per month for browser sending. Covers count as pages. If you need more pages or incoming faxes, review the options on the pricing page.