How Online Fax Apps Work

As more and more people turn to smartphones and other mobile devices as their primary method of communicating, conducting business and handling everyday living tasks, major online fax services are adding smartphone apps to their offerings. Several online fax services are introducing free apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Blackberry, and are making them available to download from the Apple App Store or Blackberry App World. The apps generally support all carriers and work in all countries. Here’s a look at how these online fax apps work and the benefits they provide to help you decide whether to add the app to your smartphone.

The Purpose Of Smartphone Fax Apps

Online fax services are developing smartphone apps to enhance their mobile faxing features. While one of the benefits of Internet fax is mobile faxing wherever there is Internet access, smartphone apps make online faxing more accessible by just the touch of the app. With the app, there is no need to sign in to your online fax service account or email account. While the apps are designed for customers who already have accounts with the online fax service, anyone can use the app to register for a monthly service plan and begin faxing immediately.

How The Apps Work

The apps work similar to your online fax account accessed from your computer. While some fax features may be limited, all the necessary components for sending and receiving faxes are accessible from your smartphone screen. The apps enable smartphone or Blackberry users to do the following right from their mobile device:

  • Send and receive faxes without logging into your online fax service account or email.
  • Compose a fax and create a cover sheet or use the default cover page setting. You can create a fax by typing right on your iPhone or Blackberry, attach a file stored on your smartphone, or take a snapshot of a document using your smartphone’s camera. Most apps allow for up to 8 pages in a single fax.
  • Use your Contact Book to find the fax recipient’s fax number or enter a name and fax number at the screen prompt.
  • Fax photos from your Photo Album.
  • Check the status of your sent faxes.

    • App Reviews Are Positive

    Based on reviews from people who downloaded the apps from the Apple App Store or Blackberry App World and used them, the response is positive. Most find them beneficial when on the go. Business people find the online fax apps extremely beneficial for staying in touch with the office, accessing important faxes or documents while on the road, and conducting business while away from the office. Others find the apps save them time from having to access their online fax service account or email account to send faxes or check if they received any. Quick access, functionality and saves time were the three main benefits reviewers mentioned in their comments about online fax smartphone apps and the main reasons why they will continue to use them.