By Sarah Martinez · Published November 6, 2024 · Updated March 9, 2026 · 6 min read
Quick Answer: The fastest way to fax on a Mac in 2026 is to use mFax.to in your browser — no app install, no phone line, no printer required. Upload a PDF, enter the fax number, and send. Done in under 2 minutes.
Apple has not included a built-in fax modem in any Mac since 2016. But that does not mean you are stuck. Whether you need to fax a signed contract, a medical form, or a tax document, your MacBook is more than capable — you just need the right approach.
This guide covers three working methods ranked by ease: the browser-based approach (works on every Mac), email-to-fax via Apple Mail, and the built-in Print dialog for users with a connected multifunction printer.
Method 1: Use mFax.to in Your Browser (Recommended)
This is the fastest and most reliable way to fax from a Mac. It works on every macOS version, requires no downloads, and takes under two minutes.
Prepare Your Document as a PDF
mFax.to accepts PDF, Word (.docx), and JPEG files. For best results, convert to PDF first:
- Pages document: File → Export To → PDF
- Microsoft Word: File → Save As → PDF
- Image or scan: Open in Preview → File → Export as PDF
- Physical paper: On your iPhone, right-click the Mac desktop → Import from iPhone → Scan Documents (saves as PDF directly to your Mac)
Open mFax.to in Safari or Chrome
Go to mfax.to and sign in. No account yet? You can create one in under 30 seconds — no credit card required to start.
Click 'Send Fax' and Upload Your File
Click the Send Fax button. Drag your PDF onto the upload area, or click to browse. mFax supports files up to 50 MB.
Enter the Recipient's Fax Number
Type the fax number with the country code. For US numbers, use the format +1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX. You can add a cover page and a short message if needed.
Send and Track Delivery
Click Send. You will receive a real-time delivery confirmation — including a timestamp and a receipt you can save for your records.
Why Mac Users Prefer This Method
Your Mac workflow stays entirely digital. Sign the PDF in Preview using your trackpad signature, drag it to mFax, send. No paper, no printer, no phone cord — just a clean, verifiable fax record.
Method 2: Email-to-Fax via Apple Mail
If you live in Mail.app or use a corporate email client, email-to-fax is the most seamless option. It requires zero context-switching — you send a fax the same way you send an attachment.
How it works:
- Open Mail.app (or any email client on your Mac)
- Compose a new message
- Attach your PDF to the email
- In the To field, enter:
[FaxNumber]@send.mfax.to- Example:
14155551234@send.mfax.to
- Example:
- Hit Send — the fax is delivered within minutes
Email-to-Fax in Corporate Environments
This method is especially popular in healthcare and legal settings where staff already live in Outlook or Apple Mail. No new tools to learn — just attach and address like any email. The full email-to-fax workflow is covered in our complete guide to faxing from email.
Method 3: macOS Print Dialog (Requires Multifunction Printer)
macOS has a hidden "Fax PDF" option buried inside the Print dialog. This works only if you have an AirPrint-capable multifunction printer (HP OfficeJet, Brother MFC, Canon PIXMA) connected to your Mac and configured with fax support.
Steps:
- Open any document (Pages, Preview, Word, etc.)
- Press ⌘ + P to open Print
- In the bottom-left corner, click the PDF dropdown button
- Select "Fax PDF" from the menu
- Choose your fax-capable printer, enter the recipient's fax number, and click Fax
Important Limitation
The Print dialog fax feature still requires a physical phone line plugged into your printer's "Line" port — or a USB fax modem connected to your Mac. Most modern offices and home setups no longer have an active landline, making this method impractical for the majority of users.
Which Mac Fax Method Should You Use?
| Method | Phone Line Required | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| mFax.to (browser) | No | ~2 minutes | Everyone — easiest setup |
| Email-to-fax (Mail.app) | No | ~2 minutes | Corporate / heavy email users |
| Print dialog / AirPrint | Yes | 5–10 minutes | Users with active landline + MFP |
For the vast majority of Mac users — especially those on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or Mac Mini without a connected fax printer — Method 1 (browser) or Method 2 (email) are the only practical choices.
How to Convert Any Mac Document to a Fax-Ready PDF
Most fax services (including mFax.to) accept PDFs for best quality. Here's how to export from every major Mac app:
| App | Export Path |
|---|---|
| Pages | File → Export To → PDF |
| Keynote | File → Export To → PDF |
| Numbers | File → Export To → PDF |
| Microsoft Word | File → Save As → choose "PDF" format |
| Preview | File → Export as PDF |
| Google Docs | File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf) |
| Safari (web page) | File → Export as PDF |
| Any app | ⌘P → PDF (bottom-left) → Save as PDF |
Scanning Physical Documents on Mac
No scanner? Use Continuity Camera on your iPhone. Right-click anywhere on the Mac desktop → Import from iPhone → Scan Documents. Your iPhone camera acts as a wireless scanner and saves a perfectly cropped PDF directly to your Mac — no cables, no app download needed. This feature works on macOS Mojave (10.14) and later.
Is It Secure to Fax from a Mac?
Security is the main reason fax remains mandatory in healthcare, legal, and finance. Online faxing via mFax.to is more secure than a traditional fax machine in several key ways:
- TLS 1.3 encryption for all documents in transit — the same standard used by banks
- Encrypted storage — documents are not stored in plain text on any server
- Digital delivery receipt — timestamped proof of delivery, vs. paper sitting on a shared fax tray
- HIPAA compliance — suitable for sending medical records and PHI
For compliance-sensitive use cases, read our guide to HIPAA-compliant faxing and how to fax medical records safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does macOS have a built-in fax feature?
macOS does not include a built-in fax modem. Apple removed modem hardware in 2016 with macOS Sierra. The Print dialog still has a "Fax PDF" option, but it requires a connected USB modem or AirPrint fax printer with an active phone line — hardware most Mac users no longer have.
Can I send a fax from a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?
Yes. Since MacBook Air and Pro have no Thunderbolt-to-modem adapter slots in modern configurations, the practical approach is an online fax service. Open mfax.to in Safari, upload your PDF, and send — no hardware required.
How much does it cost to fax from a Mac?
mFax.to offers both pay-as-you-go (per-page) and monthly subscription plans. Sending a standard 2–3 page fax costs less than $1. Compare this to driving to FedEx Office, where faxing costs $1.89 for the first page and $1.49 per additional page — plus your time.
Can I receive faxes on my Mac?
Yes. With an mFax.to subscription, you get a dedicated fax number. Incoming faxes are delivered to your email inbox as PDF attachments, which you can open directly in Preview or any PDF viewer on your Mac.
Get Started
Open mFax.to in Safari, upload your document, and send your first fax from your Mac in under two minutes. If you frequently fax from multiple devices, here's how to fax from your iPhone using the same account.
For a broader overview of computer-based faxing options, see our complete guide to faxing from a computer.