Methods and apparatus are described for transparently processing a fax transmission by a fax software program in a mobile device. In one embodiment, the fax software program identifies an incoming call at the mobile device. Upon the identification, the program prevents a display screen of the mobile device from outputting an incoming call ringing alert. The program answers the incoming call and analyzes the call to detect whether the answered call is a voice call. Upon detecting that the answered incoming call is a voice call, the program outputs the incoming call ringing alert via the display screen. Otherwise, if the answered incoming call is a fax transmission, the program merges the call with a fax server, such that the fax server receives the fax transmission. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.