Faxing feels like one of those outdated technologies that belong in a museum next to the rotary phone and floppy disks. The youth of today might think a “fax machine” is a device that spits out cold, hard truths instead of documents. But every now and then, life throws us a curveball, and we’re forced to send a fax. Maybe you’re working with a business that still insists on this ancient method, or perhaps a government form needs to be transmitted via fax. Whatever the reason, don’t panic. You don’t need to dust off an old fax machine or run to your local UPS store (unless you enjoy paying for the privilege).

With the magic of modern technology, you can fax straight from your smartphone or computer—no fax machine required. And the best part? You can do it for free. Here’s how:

Step 1: Scan Your Document Using Microsoft Lens

First things first, you need to get your document ready to fax. If it’s already digital, like a PDF on your computer, great! But if it’s a paper document, we’ll need to scan it. No need to rush out and buy a scanner—your phone is all you need.

Here’s how to use the Microsoft Lens app to scan your document (available for both iPhone and Android):

• Download Microsoft Lens:
  • For iPhone users, download the app here.
  • For Android users, grab it here.
• Scan Your Document:
  1. Open the Microsoft Lens app.
  2. Position your camera over the document, and the app will automatically detect the edges. Tap the shutter button to capture the document.
  3. After taking the picture, you can crop, rotate, or adjust the image if needed. Microsoft Lens is smart enough to straighten out crooked shots, so you don’t need to be a photography expert.
  4. Choose Save as PDF and save the document to your phone’s storage.

Congrats! You now have a neat and tidy PDF of your document ready to fax.

Step 2: Fax Your Document Using FaxZero

Now that you have your document saved as a PDF, it’s time to fax it. No fax machine? No problem. We’re going to use a free service called FaxZero, and it’s as easy as pie.

Here’s how to use FaxZero to send your fax:

1. Go to FaxZero’s website: Head over to https://faxzero.com/. You’ll be greeted by a simple interface—don’t let the basic design fool you, it gets the job done.
2. Fill in Your Details:
   • In the Sender Information section, fill in your name and email.
   • Under Receiver Information, enter the name and fax number of the person or business you’re sending the fax to.
3. Upload Your Document:
   • Click the Choose File button under the “Fax Information” section. Select the PDF you saved earlier from Microsoft Lens.
   • FaxZero allows you to send up to 3 pages for free per fax, with a maximum of 5 faxes per day. If you need to send more than 3 pages, they do offer a paid option.
4. Review and Send:
   • Check the confirmation email box. FaxZero will send a confirmation email to ensure it’s really you sending the fax.
   • Click Send Free Fax, and you’re all set!

Once the fax is sent, you’ll receive a confirmation email to let you know it went through successfully.

Why Not Just Email?

You might be thinking, “Why are we faxing in the year 2024 when we could just email?” Well, some businesses still cling to the good ol’ days of faxing for security reasons or because they haven’t embraced the 21st century yet. But, hey, now you know how to fax without spending a dime or stepping foot inside a UPS store.

Final Thoughts

So, while fax machines may feel like they belong in a tech graveyard, sometimes you just can’t escape the need to fax something. The good news is that you don’t need to go hunting for a machine or pay money at copy store. With apps like Microsoft Lens and free services like FaxZero, you can handle it all from your phone or computer. It’s quick, easy, and won’t cost you a cent.

And if you ever need more tech tips like this—or perhaps a little help with your home or business IT setup—DarkHorse IT is here to assist. Whether it’s tackling outdated technology or securing your home network, we’ve got your back.

Happy faxing! (We never thought we’d say that in 2024, but here we are.)

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