Have you ever panicked after sending an email, only to realize seconds later that it contains a mistake and you can't unsend it? This happens to everyone at some point. You end up resending the email with an apology for the error.
Fortunately, there are ways to recall sent emails, but you need to set up certain features to use them effectively. These features are available on some email services like Gmail and Outlook. Here’s how to recall a sent email.
How to Recall a Sent Email on Gmail
- On the Gmail page, click the Settings icon and then click "See all settings".
- In the General tab, find "Undo Send" and set the duration to 30 seconds. Then press "Save changes".
- Once you've set the undo duration, if you want to cancel a sent message, click the "Undo" option that automatically appears on the screen immediately after you send the message, within the 30-second window. The message will be canceled automatically.
How to Recall a Sent Email on Outlook
This method only works for the web browser version of Outlook, not the app downloaded on devices. Here’s how to recall a sent email via a web browser:
- On the Outlook page, click the Settings icon and then click "See all settings".
- In the Mail tab, find "Compose and Reply", then look for "Undo Send". Set the duration to 10 seconds. Then press "Save".
- If you want to cancel a sent message, click the "Undo" option that automatically appears on the screen immediately after you send the message, within the 10-second window. The message will be canceled automatically.
How to Recall and Replace a Sent Message in Outlook
- Open Outlook and select the "Sent Items" folder.
- Open the message you want to recall by double-clicking it until it appears in a panel. Choose the "Message" tab -> "More Commands" -> "Actions" -> "Recall This Message".
Conclusion
The Undo Send feature can make life easier, but it’s always best to double-check your emails before sending to avoid mistakes. Once the undo period has passed, you won’t be able to recall the sent message.
