Disclosed is a facsimile apparatus equipped with an automatic answering telephone function, as well as a communication method in this apparatus. When a tone signal from a line is detected after the start of storage of a voice message in response to an incoming call, the voice message presently being recorded is not counted as a received message and a voice message received next is stored in the area in which storage has just been performed. Further, when a DTMF signal, which is a control signal of the automatic answering telephone, is detected, a transition is made to facsimile communication in response to a CNG signal. Thus, erroneous operation in facsimile communication due to a CNG signal recorded in the automatic answering telephone is prevented.