---
title: "Send & Receive a Fax"
slug: "send-receive-a-fax"
description: "Learn how to use Dialpad's fax service - old service powered by new technology. "
tags: ["desktop app", "faxing", "purchase license", "Fax"]
updated: 2026-04-18T00:07:20Z
published: 2026-05-05T14:00:30Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dialpad.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Send & Receive a Fax

Internet faxes (sometimes referred to as eFaxes) are easy! They don't require big, bulky fax machines, just a simple Dialpad fax license and phone number.

Let's go over how to send and receive faxes.

> [!NOTE]
> Who can use this
> 
> Before you can use virtual fax, you need [a fax license](/v1/docs/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses#purchase-a-fax-license). Once you have a license, you (or the Admin) can [add fax lines](/v1/docs/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses#add-a-fax-number-to-a-shared-line) to shared lines or individual team members.

## Send a fax

Faxes can be sent from your direct Dialpad number or from a Main Line, Department, or Contact Center.

If you want to send a fax from your direct line, have your Admin [add a fax line](/v1/docs/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses#add-a-fax-number-to-a-user) to your user account.

To send a fax:

1. Select the **Fax**icon
2. Type the recipient's name or phone number
3. Select **Upload a file to send**
4. Select the file

That’s it! Once a file is selected, Dialpad will send your fax. [send-fax](https://app.vidgrid.com/embed/GCa1QJcJkUAe)

While sending, you'll see the **Pending** status under the fax icon in your conversation.

Once successfully sent, the confirmation will change to **Status: Success** with a timestamp.

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/send-fax.png)

You can review your sent faxes in the **Faxes** tab of your **Inbox**

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/faxes-tab (1).png)

### Send a fax via mobile

Faxes can be sent through the Dialpad mobile app.

To send a fax, go to the **Home** tab on your mobile app:

1. Select the **Fax** icon
2. Type the recipient’s name or phone number
3. Select **Scan** or **Upload file**
4. Select **Send**

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/send-fax-android(2).jpg)

## Supported file types

Dialpad permits the following file types to be faxed:

| .doc and .docx | .jpg and .jpeg |
| --- | --- |
| .pdf | .png |
| .ppsx | .xls and .xlsx |
| .ppt and .pptx | .txt |
| .tif | .gif |

We recommend using images or PDFs to minimize formatting issues, and each file (including the cover letter) should be under 32MB.

> [!TIP]
> Tip
> 
> If you experience any formatting or layout issues when faxing files like Word or TXT, try converting the file to a PDF and send it again.

### Using cover letters

Want to add a cover letter to your fax? No problem!

Cover letters can be assigned to individual users, as well as shared lines.

> [!NOTE]
> Notes
> 
> Fax lines purchased before April 2023 may not support the cover page functionality. If you encounter issues uploading your fax cover sheet, please contact our [Customer Care team](https://dialpad.com/contact-support) for assistance.
> 
> 
> 
> Cover letters cannot be selectively used. Once uploaded, they are automatically included with the fax and added to the page count.

#### Add a cover letter for a shared line

To add a cover letter to a shared line, head to your **Dialpad Admin Settings**.

1. Select the shared line (Department or Contact Center)
2. Select **Upload fax cover sheet** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/fax-cover-letter-shared-line(1).png)
3. Select the desired cover letter

To change the cover letter, simply upload a new file.

#### Add a cover letter for an individual line

To add a cover letter to an individual fax line, head to **Your Settings.**

1. Navigate to your Fax number
2. Select **Upload fax cover sheet** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/fax-cover-letter (1).png)
3. Select the desired cover letter

To change the cover letter, simply upload a new file.

## Receive a fax

When someone sends you a fax, you'll receive an incoming message notification.

Select the notification to open the conversation thread and open the fax.

If you miss the live notification, you'll also see the fax appear in the **Unread tab** of your Inbox, as well as in the**Faxes** **tab.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/download-fax (1).png) Select **Download fax** to download and open your fax.

## Delete a fax

To delete a fax,

1. Select **More actions** (that's the 3 vertical dots)
2. Select **Delete**![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/delete-fax (1)(1).png)

## Email notifications

Want to receive an email notification when you receive a fax? No problem!

### Shared line fax notifications

To set up email notifications for shared lines, head to your**Dialpad** **Admin Settings.**

1. Navigate to **Office Settings**
2. Select **Main line**
3. Select **Advanced Settings**
4. Navigate to **Email Address**
5. Select **Add an Email Address** [fax-notification](https://app.vidgrid.com/embed/Uc3koHfoDB7R)
6. Enter the email address you want to receive notifications
7. Select **Add email**

### Individual user fax notifications

Your fax notifications use the same settings as your message notifications.

To customize these for your individual line, go to your [**in-app settings**](https://help.dialpad.com/v1/docs/en/check-your-in-app-audio-settings#app-notification-settings).

1. Navigate to **Customize notifications & Sounds**

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/fax-notification(2) (1).png)
2. Select **Notifications & Sounds**
  1. Check the box beside **Messages**
  2. Check the box beside **Play a sound when new messages are received** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/0f28ad44-2863-4372-a27e-c6728808d742/Images/Documentation/image-1760563048843.png)

Once enabled, you’ll get an app notification and an email (with a quick download link) every time you receive a fax.

## Frequently asked questions

### **Why does my fax line have a busy tone?**

Anyone sending a fax must dial 1 before your number. Otherwise, the fax will return a busy tone and not go through. Sending a fax locally does not incur any fees (as the area code is the same).

<editor360-custom-block data-preprocessing="true" data-sanitizationtags="strong"><h3 data-tomark-pass=""><span data-tomark-pass=""><strong>H</strong><strong>ow much does faxing cost?</strong></span></h3></editor360-custom-block>

[Fax pricing](https://help.dialpad.com/v1/docs/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses#faxing-costs) varies depending on your plan, and who you're sending a fax to.

### **Is the cost per page or per fax?**

Dialpad’s faxing service is built on our phone network, meaning, when we send a fax, we’re actually placing a call. Please refer to [this Help Center article](/v1/docs/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses#faxing-costs) for details on pricing.

### **Can I send or receive a fax on my mobile device?**

Yes! You can send faxes right from the Dialpad app using your personal number or shared lines.

### **Is faxing HIPAA compliant?**

Yes, faxing with Dialpad is HIPAA compliant.

### **Can I use a number for both faxing and calling?**

No. When a number is assigned to a fax line it cannot be used for voice calls or SMS messaging.

### **Can I send multiple faxes at once?**

This depends on your plan.

- Users on a Free Trial can send 1 fax at a time, per fax number.
- Users on a Standard Account can send 2 faxes at a time, per fax number.
- Users on a Pro Account can send 2 faxes at a time, per fax number.
- Users on Enterprise Accounts can send 10 faxes at a time, per fax number.

### **Is there a maximum number of pages I can send per fax?**

Yes, and the page limit depends on your plan.

- Users on a Free Trial can send up to 10 pages per fax
- Users on a paid Dialpad account can send up to 100 pages per fax

Remember, each file must be less than 32MB, so depending on your file size, you may not be able to send the maximum number of pages per fax.

> [!TIP]
> Tip
> 
> Faxing page limits are for security and performance purposes. For optimal experience, it’s best to split large faxes into smaller batches of 100 pages or less.

### What timezone is used for fax timestamps?

Fax timestamps use your configured timezone:

- For faxes sent or received on a shared line (Main Line, Department, or Contact Center), the timestamp reflects the office-level timezone.
- For faxes sent or received on an individual fax line, the timestamp reflects the user's configured timezone.

If you need to change your timezone, you can update it in [your profile settings](/v1/docs/your-dialpad-profile#timezone).

### Why did I receive an error that says 'insufficient credit'?

Faxes are billed and paid via credits. If you receive a notification stating 'insufficient credits' it means your fax was not sent due to a lack of credits. Choose to [automatically add credits](/v1/docs/dialpad-credits-and-usage#credit-auto-recharge) to your account to prevent this from happening again.

### If I run out of credits and try to send a fax, will it automatically re-send once credits are added?

No. Faxes sent when your account has no available credits aren’t queued or retried. You’ll need to resend them after credits are added.

**Want to learn more?**

Check out Dialpad University's [free courses](https://university.dialpad.com) covering our products and services, as well as insightful tips and best practices.

## Related

- [Faxing](/faxing.md)
- [Purchase and Assign Fax Licenses](/purchase-and-assign-fax-licenses.md)
- [Manage Dialpad Licenses](/manage-dialpad-license-billing.md)