How to fax without a landline

Fax machines were built for copper phone lines. When your landline is shut off, there are still easy ways to send and receive faxes.

Option 1: Online fax service

Send and receive faxes by email or an app. No fax machine needed. Most charge a monthly fee by the number of pages. Good for occasional faxes to doctors, pharmacies or government offices.

Option 2: Keep your fax machine on the replacement service

Some replacement services say they support fax. For example, AT&T says AT&T Phone - Advanced works with fax machines. Send a test fax the day you switch, because fax over newer services doesn't always work reliably.

Option 3: Fax from a library, print shop or shipping store

For a few faxes a year, many libraries and shipping stores send faxes for a small fee per page.

Which should you choose?

A few times a year: use a store or library.

A few times a month: an online fax service is simplest.

You need your fax number to stay the same: ask your new phone company or online fax service whether they can port it.

This site is independent and not affiliated with any phone company.