Fax at Mac: Pricing, Process & Online Alternatives

By David Thompson · Published April 26, 2025 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 7 min read

Faxing from a Mac in 2026 is easy — but you won't find a built-in fax button anywhere in macOS. Apple quietly dropped hardware fax support back in 2016. Today, mac fax means using an online fax service from your browser or a connected app.

This guide covers every method for faxing from a Mac, a real-world pricing breakdown, and a direct comparison to in-store alternatives so you know exactly what you'll pay before you send.

Try mFax.to — fax from your Mac in under 2 minutes, no phone line needed.

Does Mac Have a Built-In Fax Feature?

macOS no longer includes a built-in fax modem. Apple removed it with macOS Sierra (2016) when it dropped support for internal serial modems. This means:

• MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac Mini, Mac Studio — none have fax hardware
• The Fax PDF option in the Print dialog still exists in some macOS versions, but it requires an AirPrint-compatible multifunction printer with an active phone line connected to it
• Without a landline (which most homes and offices no longer have), the Print dialog method simply doesn't work

The result: virtually everyone faxing from a Mac today uses an online fax service or an email-to-fax approach.

Mac Fax Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

Pricing varies significantly depending on how often you fax and which method you choose.

Cost Comparison: Mac Online Fax vs. In-Store Faxing

Online faxing from your Mac consistently beats store pricing for any fax longer than 3–4 pages. The break-even point is roughly a $6.99 weekly subscription vs. a single store trip.

How to Fax From a Mac: 3 Methods

Method 1: Online Fax Service (Recommended)

This is the method that works for every Mac user regardless of printer or phone line setup.

Method 2: Email-to-Fax via Apple Mail

Email-to-fax is popular in healthcare and legal offices where staff already work inside Mail.app or Outlook. It requires no browser and no app switch.

1. Compose a new email in Apple Mail (or any email client)
2. Attach your PDF to the message
3. Address the email to [faxnumber]@send.mfax.to — for example, 15551234567@send.mfax.to
4. Hit Send — your fax is transmitted within minutes

The fax is delivered to the recipient's machine just like any standard fax. You'll receive a confirmation reply to your email address.

Method 3: macOS Print Dialog (Requires Hardware)

macOS still shows a Fax PDF option in the Print dialog (Cmd+P → PDF dropdown). However, this method requires:

• A multifunction printer that supports faxing (HP OfficeJet, Brother MFC, Canon PIXMA series)
• The printer connected to your Mac over USB or AirPrint
• An active landline phone connection plugged into the printer's "Line" port

This approach works in offices with landline infrastructure. For home users — most of whom dropped landlines years ago — it is effectively unavailable. If you need to fax without a landline, use Method 1 or Method 2.

How to Prepare Documents for Faxing on Mac

Most fax services require a PDF. Here's how to convert common Mac file types:

Mac Fax Alternatives: Online Services Compared

If mFax.to isn't the right fit, here are the main alternatives for Mac users:

For occasional faxing: GotFreeFax or FaxZero work for 1–3 page documents at no cost.

For regular faxing: mFax.to's weekly or monthly plan is the most cost-effective option for Mac users who need confirmed delivery and unlimited pages.

For business / HIPAA use: mFax Business adds team accounts, virtual fax numbers, audit logs, and a BAA — starting at about $9/mo (billed annually). Rather than locking you into a fixed tier, it's fully customizable: you build your own plan by choosing the exact seats and pages you need and pay only for what you use.

Receiving Faxes on a Mac

Sending is only half the story. To receive faxes on your Mac:

1. Get a dedicated fax number — available with any mFax.to subscription. You choose a US number; senders fax it like any phone number.
2. Faxes arrive as PDF attachments in your email inbox — no physical tray, no paper waste.
3. Access from any device — the PDF is in your email, so you can open it on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.

With mFax Business, incoming faxes also appear in a shared web dashboard that your whole team can access.

Do Mac's Convenience Stores Offer Fax Services?

No. Mac's Convenience Stores (the Canadian chain founded in 1962) never offered public fax or printing services. The chain was fully rebranded as Circle K by 2017 after Alimentation Couche-Tard acquired it. Circle K locations also do not provide fax services.

If you need to fax a document in Canada or the US and don't have a Mac computer handy, your best in-store options are FedEx Office, UPS Store, and Staples — or skip the trip entirely and use mFax.to from your phone.

Which Option Should You Choose?

The right answer depends on how often you fax:

For detailed step-by-step setup on all three Mac methods, see our full guide: How to Fax on Mac.

Send Your Mac Fax Now

The simplest path: open mFax.to in Safari, upload your PDF, enter the fax number, and send. Delivery confirmation arrives in minutes — no phone line, no hardware, no store trip required.

For personal faxing, the mFax app or mFax.to website handles it in under 2 minutes.

For business teams, mFax Business gives you virtual fax numbers, HIPAA compliance, and a shared dashboard — starting at about $9/mo, with a build-your-own plan you size to your team's seats and pages.