How to Send Fax from Gmail

Welcome to the modern era where your Gmail account becomes your virtual fax machine. In this digital age, where efficiency is key, sending a fax directly from your Gmail can not only save time but also streamline your entire communication process.

Learn how to easily send fax with Gmail without a fax machine in just a few steps.

Is It Possible to Send and Receive Fax via Gmail?

Let's get one thing straight: Gmail itself won't let you hit 'send' to fax online directly from your inbox. Google isn't in the fax game, but don't lose hope just yet! There's a clever workaround that makes Gmail support faxing online.

Enter third-party providers – the unsung heroes who bridge the gap between your email and the world of faxing. By teaming up with these services, you can hitch a Google fax number (a virtual number to send and receive faxes) right to your Gmail account.

But here's the catch: picking the right Gmail fax provider isn't just a click away decision. It's crucial because this provider will be the maestro orchestrating the symphony between your email and your fax communications. Choose wisely, and you'll transform your Gmail into a powerhouse of productivity, where sending faxes becomes as easy as sending an email.

How to Send a Fax from Gmail

Ready to turn your Gmail into a fax machine? Here's how you can send fax through Gmail.

Since Google Workspace doesn't offer a way to send fax directly, we're going to need the aid of third-party providers. We've got our eyes on eFax, which offers a 7-day free trial and is perfectly synced with Gmail – but don't worry, there are stellar alternatives like Fax.Plus or RingCentral if you want to explore. Let's dive into the simple steps to start faxing from your email:

1. Create an account with an online fax service. These services are the only way to link fax to Gmail. Google doesn't have a fax option, so we need the help of a third party provider.
   
2. Compose your fax by creating a new regular email message.
   
3. Enter the recipient's fax number, including the country code/area code on the TO field of the email message.  Then, add @ and the domain of your fax provider next to it.  It should look like this:  faxnumber@faxservice.com  For instance, if you need to send a document to the number 1-343-777-5555 using eFax, this is what you would need to type on the TO field: 13437775555@efaxsend.com.
4. Type your cover page text on the Subject field.  This is the page that precedes the actual fax and may contain additional information about the document.
5. Attach the files that are going to be faxing. Services allow you to send dozens of different formats including popular ones such as PDF, DOC, XLS, JPG, TIFF and TXT.  To attach the file(s) , click on the paperclip icon (Attach files) on the bottom of the composing window. Mobile app users will find this icon on the top-right corner of the screen.
6. Hit Send.

Once you send a fax, you'll receive a confirmation message on your email account containing all the details of the transmission.  A copy of the the confirmation message will be available on both your Gmail inbox and your online fax provider's dashboard.

This is an example what the top of your Gmail composing screen should look:

Our Top Rated Online Fax Services

We've been on a mission, diving deep into the world of email to fax services, putting them through their paces right here in our office. We've scrutinized them for speed, security, and how seamlessly they blend with Gmail and Google's suite of tools. If you want to send fax from email, these are your best options:

eFax.   This is the biggest Gmail fax provider out there, with numbers available in multiple countries and cities.   Once you pick your number (which acts a virtual phone line), it can be linked to any Gmail address. eFax lets you send faxes easily and is fully compatible with Google Drive as well. When you fax using your eFax account you also have access to their award winning phone app.

RingCentral Fax.   This company has a fax from email solution as a stand-alone product or as part of their virtual office suite, RingCentral Office.  With years in the market, this company is always including new "fax and send" features to their offer. They provide coverage in the US, Canada and UK.

Is it Safe to Fax from Email?

When you opt for a top-tier Internet fax service, you don't just send documents you want to fax from a computer, you're safeguarding them with fortress-like security. The providers we recommend don't mess around when it comes to your privacy and security. They're decked out with the highest security certifications, including the gold standard of HIPAA compliance.

These services employ some serious tech to keep things safe when you send files, or send important documents. We're talking about 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standards that make your documents virtually impenetrable. And when those documents travel over the internet, they're wrapped in the protective layers of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensuring your sensitive information stays confidential from start to finish. With these guardians, your faxes are not just delivered to your email inbox; they're delivered securely.

Final Words

Gone are the days of waiting in line at the office to send and receive documents or worrying about the reliability of traditional fax machines. Fax is still relevant, but now the way to send it is better, you have the power to manage your communications from any corner of the globe, with just an internet connection and your Gmail fax account.

Choose the right online fax provider, and start your journey to fax without  the need of extra fax equipment. Whether it's for personal use or to revolutionize your business operations, online fax accounts await to elevate your daily tasks. Embrace the change, and let's fax into the future together!