Fax is still popular, but a fax machine is not. Thanks to the internet, now you don’t need to own a fax machine to send a fax. If you have a Gmail account, you can send a Gmail fax from your mobile or computer in a few minutes! Check out step-by-step instructions on how to send and receive fax using your Gmail account.
How to Send a Gmail Fax
Step 1
First of all, you’ll need an online fax number to get started. RingCentral is one of the best online fax service providers out there, and there are others available.
Once you sign up, you’ll get an option to select a toll-free or a local number that you can use to send and receive faxes. You can even use your existing number if you want.
Step 2
Open your Gmail and click ‘Compose’ to create a new email. If you have some text that you’d like to appear on the cover page, write it down in the subject line.
Type your message in the message field. If you have any files, images, or documents you’d like to send as an attachment, now would be the time to attach them to the email.
Step 3
Enter the fax number of the recipient fax machine’s 10-digit phone number followed by @rcfax.com. For example, if the fax number is 1234567890, type it as 1234567890@rcfax.com in the ‘To’ field and click the ‘Send’ button.
Now sit back and relax: your fax is on its way! You will get an email saying that your fax was sent successfully.
Step 4 (Optional)
If you’d like to schedule the fax for a later date, you can do that with Gmail. Click the small downward arrow on the ‘Send’ button and select ‘Schedule Send’. Choose the date and time of your liking and Gmail will send your fax automatically.
How to Receive a Gmail Fax
Step 1
Remember the fax number you chose while signing up for RingCentral or your other fax service? All you have to do is share that number with the person you’d like to receive a fax from. It’s just that simple. One of the reasons we prefer RingCentral to other options is that you have the option to get a dedicated fax number all your own.
Step 2
Whether they use a fax machine or online fax services to send faxes doesn’t matter. You will receive the fax in your Gmail inbox just like any other email. All you have to do is click that email and view the content of the fax. If the sender sent any attachments, it will be there in the email received.
Step 3
If you want to forward the fax to someone, do it as you would normally forward an email. One of the main reasons people still use fax is because it creates a paper trail, and you don’t miss out on that by using an email fax service. Your Gmail account will save the logs of all the sent and received faxes just like emails.
That’s how you use Gmail to send faxes! It’s super easy and gets the job done. Why invest in an out-dated and expensive fax machine when you can choose a simple online fax service? These services are easy-to-use, low-cost, and offer features that a fax machine can only dream of. For example, RingCentral allows you to send and receive faxes from smartphones, tablets, and computers. Sign up for their 30-day free trial to check out all the features, and learn more at GoogleFax today.