How to recall an email

Sending an email by mistake or realizing you have made an error after hitting send is common. Luckily, there are ways to recall that email, if you act quickly. Here is everything you need to know about recalling an email in various email apps.

The difference between the undo send and recall function

The "Undo Send" and "Recall" functions in email apps allow you to retract an email, but they work differently.

Undo Send gives you a brief window to cancel sending an email.
It delays sending until you confirm, but it does not remove the email from the recipient's inbox.

Recall tries to delete an email from the recipient's inbox, but it usually only works if both sender and recipient use the same email provider. Success depends on whether the recipient has opened the email and their email settings.

Undo Send provides a short grace period, while Recall attempts to retrieve an email with less reliability.

However, these two terms tend to be used interchangeably by a lot of people.

How to Recall an Email in Outlook

Recall Email Outlook: Can You Undo a Sent Email?

Outlook has a "recall" feature, but there are some limitations to keep in mind. To successfully recall an email in Outlook, both you and the recipient must be using Microsoft Exchange or Office 365 accounts and be part of the same organization. Here is how you can attempt to recall an email:

  1. Go to Your Sent Items: Open the "Sent Items" folder in Outlook.
  2. Open the Message: Double-click the email you want to recall.
  3. Click on the "Message" Tab: In the ribbon, click "Actions," then choose "Recall This Message."
  4. Select Recall Options: You can choose to delete unread copies of the email or replace them with a new message. Once selected, click "OK."

How Do I Cancel a Scheduled Email in Outlook?

If you have scheduled an email in Outlook and want to cancel it before it is sent, you can do so by disabling the scheduled send option. Here is how to cancel a scheduled email:

  1. Open the "Outbox" Folder: Locate the email you have scheduled to send.
  2. Drag the Email to Drafts: Simply drag the message back to the Drafts folder to stop it from being sent.

Alternatively, you can use the "Delay Delivery" feature to specify times for sending emails and modify or cancel them before they are sent.

How Do I Recall an Email in Outlook 365?

For Office 365 users, recalling an email is quite similar to the standard Outlook process. To increase your chances of success, make sure that both you and the recipient are using Exchange servers or Microsoft 365. Follow the steps outlined previously for best results.

How to Undo a Delayed Send in Microsoft 365

If you have scheduled an email for later delivery in Microsoft 365 (Outlook), you can modify or cancel it before it is sent. To cancel a delayed send in Outlook:

  1. Go to the "Outbox": The Outbox holds emails scheduled for future delivery.
  2. Cancel the Email: Simply open the email and click "Cancel" to stop it from sending.

If you have set a specific time for the email to be sent, it is best to cancel it before that time arrives to prevent the message from leaving your outbox.

Recall an Email in Gmail

Gmail does not have a built-in recall feature. However, it does allow users to "unsend" an email shortly after it has been sent. While this is not the same as recalling the email, it can still be helpful for users who need to quickly correct mistakes.

To use Gmail’s "Undo Send" feature:

  1. Send an Email: Hit "Send" as usual.
  2. Look for the Undo Option: A small pop-up message will appear at the bottom left corner of the screen.
  3. Click "Undo": You have a few seconds to click "Undo" and stop the email from actually sending.

The default time is set to 5 seconds but you can change it in the settings to up to 30 seconds. You will find this option once you click on the "See all settings" button in the Quick Settings section. Then, in the “Undo Send” section, choose your preferred time.

Note that Gmail's undo feature only works for a brief time window and is not a full recall method.

How to Undo Send Email in Thunderbird

Thunderbird is a well-known desktop email client, but it lacks a built-in email recall feature. However, you can use its "Undo Send" function, which works similarly to Gmail's, to stop emails from being sent if you act quickly.

To enable the undo feature in Thunderbird:

  1. Go to Settings: Open the Thunderbird preferences/settings menu.
  2. Find "General" Settings: Navigate to the "General" section and find "Send" settings.
  3. Enable Undo Send: You can enable a brief delay (e.g., 5-10 seconds) for sent emails, during which time you can click "Undo" to stop the email.

eM Client and Undo Send

eM Client allows users to set a delay for outgoing emails. This feature helps prevent accidental sends, giving you a moment to stop an email before it is sent. It is a simple way to avoid "oops" moments.

eM Client is an all-in-one email management tool that streamlines communication. It supports multiple accounts and integrates calendars, tasks, and contacts, all in a user-friendly interface to help you stay organized.

Are you interested in learning more about how to send and unsend emails using eM Client? Check out this detailed guide.

Does Recalling an Email Work?

Recalling an email depends on the email system and the recipient's setup. Outlook supports recalls for Microsoft Exchange and Office 365, but success is not guaranteed. Other platforms like Gmail and Thunderbird focus on delaying sends instead of recalling delivered messages. To avoid mistakes, consider using email scheduling or delay options.