By David Thompson · Published September 8, 2025 · Updated June 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Quick Answer: The easiest way to get faxes as PDFs is to use an online fax service like mFax — every incoming fax is automatically delivered as a PDF to your phone, email, or web dashboard.
If you've ever received a fax and wished it were a simple PDF you could save, email, or search — you're not alone. Traditional fax machines print on paper, and older fax software saves files in obscure formats like .fax, .efx, or .tif that most apps can't open.
The good news: converting a fax to PDF is straightforward, and in most cases you can skip the fax machine entirely. This guide covers four methods — from receiving faxes as PDFs automatically to converting old fax files you already have.
Best Method for Most People
Use an online fax service to receive faxes directly as PDF files. No fax machine, no scanning, no file conversion — just a PDF in your inbox. Set up mFax in under 2 minutes.
Method 1: Receive Faxes as PDFs with an Online Fax Service
This is the most practical approach if you regularly receive faxes. An online fax service gives you a virtual fax number — when someone sends a fax to that number, the service converts it to a PDF and delivers it to your email, phone app, or web dashboard.
How it works: The sender dials your virtual fax number using any fax machine or fax service. The online service receives the transmission, converts the fax image to PDF, and sends it to you. You never touch a fax machine. For a deeper look at the technology, see our guide to how faxing works.
Sign Up for an Online Fax Service
Create an account at mFax.to. You'll get a virtual fax number during setup — choose your preferred area code.
Share Your Virtual Fax Number
Give your new fax number to anyone who needs to send you faxes. It works exactly like a traditional fax number.
Receive Faxes as PDFs
When a fax arrives, mFax converts it to PDF automatically. Open it on your phone, download from the web dashboard, or find it in your email inbox.
Why this method wins: No hardware, no scanning, no manual conversion. Every fax arrives as a searchable, shareable PDF that you can store in Google Drive, Dropbox, or any cloud service.
For a complete walkthrough on setting up a virtual number, see our guide to receiving faxes online.
| Feature | Online Fax Service | Physical Fax Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Output format | PDF (automatic) | Paper (must scan) |
| Storage | Cloud — searchable, backed up | Filing cabinet |
| Access | Any device, anywhere | In-office only |
| Cost | Pay-per-fax or $8–$20/mo | Machine + phone line + paper + toner |
Method 2: Scan a Paper Fax to PDF
Already have a fax printed on paper? You can convert it to PDF by scanning it — using a flatbed scanner, a multifunction printer, or just your phone's camera.
Scan with Your Phone (Fastest)
Your phone has a built-in document scanner that produces clean, cropped PDFs:
- iPhone: Open the Notes app → tap the camera icon → select Scan Documents → capture each page → tap Save. The scan is saved as a PDF inside the note. Tap the share button to export it.
- Android: Open Google Drive → tap the + button → select Scan → capture each page → tap Save. The PDF is saved directly to your Drive.
You can also scan directly inside the mFax app — snap a photo of your paper fax, and the app straightens, crops, and converts it to a PDF. From there, you can forward it as a fax or save it to your phone.
Scan with a Flatbed Scanner or Printer
If your multifunction printer has a scanner:
- Place the fax face-down on the scanner glass
- Open the scanning software (HP Smart, Epson Scan, Canon IJ Scan, etc.)
- Select PDF as the output format
- Set resolution to 200–300 DPI (sufficient for text documents)
- Click Scan and save the PDF to your computer
Tip: Batch Scanning
If your printer has an automatic document feeder (ADF), load all pages at once. The scanner will create a single multi-page PDF — no need to scan page by page. See our guide on faxing multiple pages for more tips.
Method 3: Convert a Fax File to PDF
Fax software on computers often saves incoming faxes in proprietary formats — .fax, .efx (eFax), .tif, or .tiff. These files contain the fax image data but won't open in most apps. Here's how to convert them to PDF.
Windows: Print to PDF
Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in PDF printer that works with any file you can open:
- Open the fax file in Windows Fax and Scan (built-in) or the software that created it
- Press Ctrl + P to open the Print dialog
- Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer
- Click Print and choose where to save the PDF
This works for .tif, .tiff, and most .fax files. For .efx files, you'll need the eFax Messenger viewer first.
Mac: Save as PDF
macOS can convert virtually any printable document to PDF:
- Open the fax file in Preview (works for
.tifand.tiff) - Go to File → Print (or press Cmd + P)
- Click the PDF dropdown in the lower-left corner
- Select Save as PDF
Online Converter (Any Platform)
If you can't open the file locally, use a free online converter:
- Go to a converter like Convertio or OnlineConvertFree
- Upload your
.fax,.efx,.tif, or.tifffile - Select PDF as the output format
- Download the converted PDF
Security Note
If your fax contains sensitive data (medical records, tax forms, legal documents), avoid uploading it to a third-party converter. Use the built-in Print to PDF method instead — your file never leaves your computer. For more on fax security, see our guide to online fax encryption.
Method 4: Set Your Fax Machine to Save as PDF
Some modern multifunction printers can save incoming faxes as PDF files directly — without printing them on paper first. This is sometimes called fax-to-folder or fax archiving.
How to Enable It
The exact steps vary by manufacturer, but the general process is:
- Open your printer's web admin panel (type the printer's IP address into a browser)
- Navigate to Fax Settings → Receive Settings
- Look for an option like "Save to folder", "Forward to email", or "Fax archive"
- Select PDF as the file format
- Choose a destination — a shared network folder, USB drive, or email address
Printers That Support This
| Brand | Feature Name | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Digital Fax (Fax to Folder) | HP Smart app or Embedded Web Server |
| Brother | Fax to Server / Fax Forward | Web Based Management → Fax → Remote Fax Options |
| Canon | Forwarding Settings | Remote UI → Fax/Telephone Settings |
| Epson | Save to Computer | Epson FAX Utility → Receive Settings |
Not all models support this — check your printer's manual. If your printer can't save to PDF, an online fax service is a more reliable alternative.
Which Method Should You Choose?
| Situation | Best Method |
|---|---|
| You regularly receive faxes and want them all as PDFs | Method 1 — Online fax service |
| You have a paper fax you need to digitize right now | Method 2 — Phone scanner |
You have old .fax or .tif files on your computer | Method 3 — Print to PDF |
| You have a modern printer and want automated PDF saving | Method 4 — Fax-to-folder |
| You want the simplest, most reliable long-term solution | Method 1 — Online fax service |
For most people, switching to an online fax service is the best investment. You eliminate paper, toner, and phone line costs — and every fax arrives as a clean PDF ready to file, forward, or sign.
What to Do After Converting
Once your fax is a PDF, you can:
- Email it — attach the PDF to any email. See our guide on faxing from email if you need to send it as a fax to someone else.
- Store it in the cloud — upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for searchable, backed-up storage.
- Edit or sign it — open in Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), or any PDF editor to annotate, fill forms, or add a signature.
- Fax it forward — upload the PDF to mFax.to and send it to any fax number in seconds. See our guide to faxing a PDF for step-by-step instructions.
- Compress it — if the PDF is too large, use our free Optimize PDF tool to reduce the file size without losing quality.
Send Your Fax as a PDF
Whether you're converting old fax files or setting up a system to receive every fax as a PDF going forward, mFax makes it simple. Get a virtual fax number, receive faxes as PDFs on any device, and send faxes from your phone — all without a fax machine.
For personal faxing, download the mFax app — scan, upload, and send 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 (billed annually). There are no fixed tiers: build your own plan by choosing the exact seats and pages you need with a live calculator, and pay only for what you use.