How to Send a Fax From a Mac (MacBook, iMac)

Online fax services are the most practical option because they work on any Mac with a browser and don’t require phone lines or special equipment.

This guide walks through all three methods step-by-step, with the quickest setup options first.

How to Fax From a Mac Using an Online Fax Service

Online fax services let you send faxes directly from your Mac through a web browser or app—no phone line, no fax machine, no modem required.

Here’s how to send a fax:

1. Choose a service (2 minutes): Most popular options are eFax, Fax.Plus, and Dropbox Fax. If you’re only faxing once, ThirtyFax lets you send one fax (up to 5 pages) for free with no account required.
2. Sign up or start immediately: Most services require creating an account. ThirtyFax skips this step entirely—just go to the website and start uploading.
3. Prepare your document (1 minute): If your document isn’t already a PDF, save it as one by choosing File > Print > PDF > Save as PDF. PDF preserves formatting best.
4. Upload your file: Click “Send Fax” and upload your PDF. Most services accept common formats (PDF, Word, Pages), but PDF works most reliably.
5. Enter the recipient’s fax number: Type the full number including country code if faxing internationally. Double-check—typos mean your fax goes to the wrong place.
6. Add a cover page (optional): Most services auto-generate one. If you need to include a message or return contact info, add it here.
7. Send: Click send and wait for the confirmation. Most services email you a delivery receipt within minutes.
8. Check the confirmation: Verify the fax was delivered successfully. If it failed, the service will tell you why (number busy, no answer, etc.).

This method works identically on MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac—it’s all browser-based.

Recommended Online Fax Services for Mac

How to choose:

• One-time or occasional faxing: ThirtyFax (€4.99 flat) or Dropbox Fax pay-per-fax ($0.99 for up to 10 pages) are the most cost-effective
• Regular business faxing: Fax.Plus or Dropbox Fax for clean interfaces and cloud integrations
• High-volume faxing: eFax if you need 170+ pages/month and don’t mind the price
• HIPAA compliance required: Fax.Plus includes signed BAAs; eFax requires the $49.99/mo Protect tier

How to Fax From a Mac for Free

Free faxing options exist, but they come with real limitations—page caps, ads on your cover page, or trial periods that turn into unexpected subscriptions.

Here are your actual free options:

• ThirtyFax: 1 fax, up to 5 pages, no account required—includes ThirtyFax branding on the cover page
• Fax.Plus: 10 pages total (lifetime limit), account required—no incoming faxes
• Dropbox Fax: 5 free pages automatically, account required—you can earn up to 20 more through onboarding tasks, but pages don’t renew monthly and you can’t receive faxes
• Free trials: eFax (14 days), Dropbox Fax (30 days), and most others offer trials—but they require a credit card and auto-renew into paid subscriptions if you forget to cancel
• FaxZero: 3 pages + cover page, up to 5 faxes/day, no account—includes FaxZero ads on your fax

The reality: truly unlimited free faxing doesn’t exist anymore. Free options work fine for a quick one-off fax, but if you need to send more than a few pages or fax regularly, you’ll hit limits fast. Most “free” options are trials designed to convert you to a paid plan—which is fine, just be aware of when your card gets charged.

How to Fax From a Mac Using a Fax Modem

This method requires a USB fax modem, an active landline, and macOS’s built-in fax capability—it’s the old-school way, and it still works if you already have the infrastructure.

What You Need

• USB fax modem compatible with Mac (most modern Macs don’t include modem ports)
• Active landline phone connection
• Phone cable to connect the modem to the wall jack

Setup Steps

1. Connect the modem to your Mac: Plug the USB fax modem into an available USB port.
2. Connect the phone line: Run a phone cable from the modem to your landline wall jack.
3. Install drivers if needed: Most USB modems require manufacturer drivers. Check the modem’s documentation and download the Mac-compatible driver from the manufacturer’s website.
4. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners: If your modem is recognized, it should appear in the list. If not, restart your Mac and check again.

Sending a Fax

1. Open the document you want to fax: Any app that can print will work—Pages, Word, Preview, etc.
2. Choose File > Print: The standard print dialog will open.
3. Select your fax modem from the printer dropdown: It should be listed by the modem’s name.
4. Click “Fax PDF” in the bottom-left dropdown menu: This option only appears if macOS detects a connected fax-capable device.
5. Enter the recipient’s fax number: Include area code. No spaces or dashes.
6. Send: Click “Fax” and wait for the transmission to complete. You’ll get an on-screen confirmation when it’s done.

This method is outdated but functional if you already have a landline—but if you’re starting from scratch, an online fax service is faster and cheaper.

How to Fax From a Mac Using a Network Fax Machine

If your office has a network-connected multifunction printer that supports faxing, you can send faxes directly from your Mac through System Settings.

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners (2 minutes): Click the “+” button to add a printer.
2. Add your network fax machine: If the printer supports faxing and is compatible with macOS 12 or later, the fax capability is added automatically when you add the device.
3. Select printer software that supports faxing: macOS will prompt you to choose the correct driver. Pick the one that includes “Fax” in the feature list.
4. Enter the fax number for the queue: This is the phone number the fax machine uses to send outgoing faxes.
5. Open your document and choose File > Print: Select the printer entry that includes “Fax” in the name.
6. Enter the recipient’s fax number: Type it in the fax number field (not the printer selection).
7. Send: Click “Fax” and your Mac will route the document to the network fax machine for transmission.

Important: The printer must be connected to a working phone line and have the full-feature driver installed for Mac faxing to work—network connectivity alone isn’t enough. If your printer doesn’t appear as a fax option, check the manufacturer’s documentation for setup instructions.

This option makes sense in office environments where fax infrastructure already exists—but for home or remote work, online fax services are simpler.

Written by

Bernard Bado

I created ThirtyFax after needing to send a single fax and refusing to pay for a monthly subscription to do it. I write here about faxing, document workflows, and the surprisingly stubborn role fax still plays in modern business.

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