How to Get a Fax Number for Your iPhone

What a fax number actually is

A fax number looks identical to a regular phone number. It follows the same format, uses the same area codes, and dials the same way. The difference is in what answers on the other end.

When someone sends a fax to your number, the receiving system converts the call into a document. With a traditional fax machine, a physical page prints out. With an online fax service, the document lands in your app or email inbox instead.

You do not need a landline or a fax machine to have a fax number today. A smartphone and a fax app are enough. The app handles everything the hardware used to do.

For a deeper look at the underlying protocol, the T.38 fax-over-IP standard on Wikipedia explains how modern services transmit faxes digitally without an analog line.

Types of fax numbers available

Not every fax number works the same way. There are three main types you will encounter when shopping for an app.

Dedicated inbound numbers are permanent numbers assigned only to you. Anyone can fax you at any time, and every received document goes straight to your account. This is the type most businesses want.

Shared or temporary numbers are sometimes offered by free-tier apps. Multiple users may share one number, and the number often expires after a short window. They work for one-off incoming faxes, but they are not reliable for ongoing use.

Send-only accounts do not give you an inbound number at all. You can send faxes, but recipients cannot fax you back at a dedicated address. Faxend's Basic ($9.99 one-time) plan falls into this category. The Standard ($9.99/month, 50 pages) and Plus ($14.99/month, 100 pages) web plans include your own US fax number for receiving; in the Faxend iPhone app, a dedicated number is a separate monthly subscription.

If you only need to send a document once, a send-only option is perfectly fine. If you need to receive faxes regularly, a dedicated number is worth the extra cost.

How to get a fax number with Faxend

Faxend is available on the web at faxend.com/send and as an iPhone app on the App Store. Getting a dedicated fax number through the Faxend iPhone app takes four steps.

Step 1: Download the app or open the website

Search for Faxend in the App Store, or go to faxend.com on any browser. Both routes get you to the same account setup screen.

Step 2: Create a free account

Enter your email address and set a password. No credit card is required at this stage. You can explore the interface before committing to a plan.

Step 3: Subscribe to a fax number in the app

In the Faxend iPhone app, open the fax number (Inbox) section and start the monthly fax number subscription. This is what unlocks a dedicated inbound fax number.

Step 4: Choose your fax number

After upgrading, you will be prompted to select an area code. Faxend assigns you a dedicated number from that region. The number is yours as long as your fax number subscription is active. Write it down and share it with anyone who needs to send you documents.

Once the number is active, incoming faxes appear in your Faxend inbox automatically. You get a notification on your iPhone, and the document is stored with AES-256 encryption. You can view, download, or forward it from the app.

For more detail on the sending side, see the guide on how to send a fax from iPhone.

Ready to send your fax?

Upload your document, enter the number, and hit send. No subscription required for your first fax.

Send Fax Now →Download on iPhone Download on Android

Other apps that offer fax numbers

Faxend is not the only option. Several other apps provide dedicated fax numbers, and they each have a different angle.

App	Dedicated inbound number	Starting price (with number)	HIPAA	Notes
Faxend	Yes (iPhone app)	Separate monthly subscription	All plans	Number lives in the iPhone app, no hardware
eFax	Yes	~$16.95/month	Plus plan and above	Strong enterprise integrations, longer history
FAX.PLUS	Yes	~$7.99/month	Business plan	Good international number availability
iFax	Yes	~$8.33/month	Business plan	Team-sharing features for small offices
FaxBurner	Temporary (free tier)	Free / $7.99/month for permanent	No	Good for one-off inbound faxes, not HIPAA

eFax has been around for decades and its enterprise integrations are genuinely strong. If you are running a large team that already uses Salesforce or similar tools, it is worth evaluating. FAX.PLUS has wide international number availability, which matters if your contacts are outside North America. iFax's team-sharing features are useful for small clinics or law offices where multiple people need access to the same inbox.

Faxend's edge is HIPAA compliance across every plan, not just the top tier, combined with a clean mobile experience. If you want a pay-per-fax option without a subscription, the no-subscription fax guide covers that angle in more depth.

HIPAA compliance and security

If you work in healthcare, getting the right fax number is not just a convenience question. Its a compliance question too.

HIPAA, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, requires covered entities to protect patient health information during transmission. Faxing patient records through a non-compliant service can expose you to significant penalties.

Faxend offers a Business Associate Agreement on request. Every plan uses AES-256 encryption in transit and at rest. That applies to the $9.99 Basic plan just as much as the Plus plan. Most competitors reserve HIPAA features for higher tiers, which means you pay more before you can legally fax PHI.

A dedicated inbound number also helps with compliance record-keeping. When faxes arrive at a consistent, documented number, you have a clearer audit trail. Temporary or shared numbers make that harder to maintain.

For more on receiving faxes securely, the guide on how to receive a fax online covers the inbox and storage side in detail.

Tips for managing your fax number

Once you have a fax number, a few habits will save you headaches later.

Share it in your email signature. Clients and vendors will know where to send documents without asking each time.
Turn on push notifications. Faxend sends an alert the moment a fax arrives. You will not miss time-sensitive documents.
Keep your fax history organized. The Standard and Plus plans store your fax history in the app. Label or archive documents as they come in rather than letting them pile up.
Verify the number works before you publish it. Send a test fax to yourself from the web interface. Confirm it arrives correctly before printing the number on business cards or letterhead.
Know your page limits. Outbound faxes count against your plan's page allowance: 50 pages a month on Standard, 100 on Plus. If you run short, a +25 pages add-on tops up your current plan. Plan accordingly if you send high volumes.

If you are comparing the broader app landscape before committing, the roundup of the best fax apps for iPhone in 2026 is a good starting point. It puts Faxend alongside the main competitors with honest notes on each.

You can review all plan details on the Faxend pricing page before signing up. And all posts on this topic are published by the Faxend editorial team for document workflow topics.

One more thing worth noting: international fax numbers are supported in many regions. Faxend's network covers 120+ countries via the Sinch backbone. If your contacts are overseas, ask support about international number availability when you set up your fax number.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a fax number on my iPhone without a monthly subscription?

You can send faxes without a subscription using Faxend's $9.99 Basic plan, but that plan does not include a dedicated inbound number. A dedicated number requires the separate fax number subscription in the Faxend iPhone app. If you only need to send, not receive, the Basic or Standard plans cover that.

How long does it take to get a fax number after signing up?

The number is assigned when you set up the fax number subscription in the app, usually within a minute or two. You do not have to wait for a confirmation call or manual review. The number is active as soon as you complete checkout.

Can I keep my fax number if I change apps later?

Fax numbers assigned by an app are typically tied to that service. If you cancel your Faxend fax number subscription, the number is released. Porting a fax number between providers is technically possible in some cases but not universally supported. Check with the new provider before switching.

Is a dedicated fax number required for HIPAA compliance?

HIPAA does not specifically require a dedicated number, but it does require secure transmission and access controls. A dedicated number makes it easier to maintain an audit trail of incoming PHI. Faxend's HIPAA compliance and BAA availability apply across all plans, including send-only ones.

What area codes are available for Faxend fax numbers?

Faxend offers a selection of area codes when you set up your fax number in the app. Availability varies by region. If a specific area code matters for your business, check availability during signup before completing your purchase.

Can someone fax me from a regular fax machine to my Faxend number?

Yes. Your Faxend dedicated number works like any standard fax number. Anyone with a fax machine, another fax app, or a multifunction printer can send to it. The document arrives in your Faxend inbox on your iPhone.