Master How to Recall an Email in Outlook Instantly

Accidentally Sent an Email? Here’s How to Recall It in Outlook Instantly

Everyone makes mistakes. Maybe you forgot an attachment, sent an email to the wrong person, or had a typo in your message. Don’t worry—Outlook gives you a second chance. This guide shows you how to recall an email in Outlook quickly and correctly. We also show you how to delay emails, replace a message, and more.

Let’s fix that email blunder together.

What Does It Mean to Recall an Email in Outlook?

Recalling an email means taking back a message you’ve already sent. If your recipient hasn’t opened it yet, Outlook may be able to delete the message from their inbox or replace it with a new one.

This function is perfect for:

Fixing a typo
Adding missing info
Changing an attachment
Correcting the wrong recipient
Protecting sensitive data

When Can You Recall an Outlook Email?

To recall an email, certain conditions must be met:

Both you and the recipient must use Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Exchange.
You both must belong to the same organization or company domain.
The recipient must use Outlook Desktop for Windows.
The email must be unread.
The message must still be in the recipient’s inbox (not moved or filtered).

Important Note: Recall doesn’t work on Outlook for Mac, Outlook Mobile, or Gmail/other providers.

How to Recall an Email in Outlook for Windows (Classic Desktop Version)

Follow these simple steps to unsend a message:

Step 1 – Open Sent Items

Go to your “Sent Items” folder and find the email you want to recall.

Step 2 – Open the Email

Double-click the email to open it in a new window.

Step 3 – Click ‘Recall This Message’

Go to the Message tab > Actions > Recall This Message.

(If you don’t see it, click the 3 dots or look under “Move” > “Actions” > “Recall this message.”)

Step 4 – Choose Your Recall Option

Delete unread copies
Delete and replace with a new message

Check the box: “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient.”

Step 5 – Click OK

You’re done! Outlook will try to recall the message. You’ll get a recall status report in your inbox.

How to Recall an Email in New Outlook or Outlook Web

The new Outlook for Windows and Outlook Web App (OWA) also support recall if you’re using a Microsoft 365 business account.

Step-by-Step:

Open Outlook Web or Desktop (New).
Go to Sent Items.
Open the message.
Click the Recall Message button in the toolbar.
Confirm by clicking OK.
Wait for the Message Recall Report.

Note: These features may be limited depending on your organization’s settings.

What If the Recall Fails? Common Reasons and Fixes

Recall attempts may not always work. Here are the top reasons for failure:

The recipient has already opened the message.
The recipient uses Gmail, Yahoo, or a non-Outlook email client.
The message was moved to a different folder by rules or filters.
The user doesn’t have Outlook for Windows.

Fix: Send a follow-up email to explain the error. You can also ask the recipient to delete the message manually.

Replace an Email Instead of Just Recalling It

You can also choose to delete and replace the message.

Here’s how:

Follow the same steps for recalling.
Choose “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.”
Outlook will open a new window to write your corrected email.
Click Send.

If the recipient opens the new version first, the original message will disappear. If they open the original first, the new one appears as a separate message.

Delay Sending Emails in Outlook to Avoid Mistakes

Prevention is better than cure. Delay sending your emails for a few minutes. That way, you can review them before they go out.

Delay a Single Email:

Open a new message.
Click Options > Delay Delivery.
Check “Do not deliver before” and pick a date/time.
Click Close, then Send.

The email stays in your Outbox until the scheduled time.

Delay All Emails Automatically:

Go to Rules > Manage Rules & Alerts.
Click New Rule.
Select “Apply rule on messages I send.”
Choose “Defer delivery by a number of minutes”.
Set delay time (e.g., 2 minutes).

Undo Send on Mac and Outlook.com

Outlook for Mac and Outlook.com don’t support message recall, but you can use Undo Send.

For Mac:

Go to Outlook > Settings > Composing.
Enable “Undo Send” and set time (up to 20 seconds).

For Outlook.com:

Open Settings > Mail > Compose and Reply.
Use the slider to set Undo Send time (up to 10 seconds).

After sending an email, an Undo button will appear briefly. Click it to stop the send and edit the message.

Use Secure Email Tools for Maximum Protection

When privacy matters, consider using third-party secure email tools. These allow you to:

Revoke emails even after they’re opened
Add access controls
Track open activity

Top Tools:

Mailock
Virtru
Zivver

Secure tools are especially helpful for businesses handling sensitive customer data.

Expert Tips to Prevent Future Email Mistakes

1. Double-Check Before Sending

Read your message twice. Check recipients, grammar, tone, and attachments.

2. Use Delay Settings

Always add a delay to your outgoing emails.

3. Use Descriptive Subject Lines

Let the recipient know the email’s purpose instantly.

4. Avoid Replying When Emotional

Give yourself time before responding in anger or frustration.

5. Use Secure Messaging for Critical Info

Invest in tools that offer revoke and encryption features.

Final Thoughts: Outlook Recall Gives You Peace of Mind

We all make mistakes—but with Outlook’s recall feature, those errors don’t have to last. Whether you’re fixing a typo or correcting sensitive details, knowing how to recall an email can save your day.

Be proactive. Stay secure. Write with care.

And if you want an extra layer of protection, try secure email tools and delay settings.

Start sending smarter today.

FAQs About How to Recall an Email in Outlook

How do I recall an email in Outlook after sending?

To recall an email, open Outlook on Windows, go to your Sent Items, double-click the email, then click Actions > Recall This Message. Choose to delete the unread copy or replace it with a new message. This only works if the recipient hasn’t opened the email and both users are within the same Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 organization.

Can I unsend an email in Outlook after it’s been read?

Unfortunately, no. Once the email has been opened by the recipient, it cannot be recalled or unsent. The best you can do is follow up with a correction or clarification email.

Why does email recall fail in Outlook?

Email recall fails when:

The recipient has already opened the email.
The email was moved from the inbox by a rule or filter.
The recipient is not using Microsoft Outlook or Exchange.
You or the recipient are using Outlook on Mac or mobile.
The email is sent outside your organization.

How long do I have to recall an email in Outlook?

You can recall an email as long as the recipient hasn’t opened it. There’s no strict time limit, but the sooner you act, the higher the success rate.

Can I recall emails sent to Gmail from Outlook?

No, Outlook recall only works with Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 accounts within the same organization. If the recipient is using Gmail, Yahoo, or another service, the recall will fail.

Is there an Outlook undo send option like Gmail?

Yes, but it’s different. In Outlook for web or Mac, you can enable Undo Send which gives you a short time (up to 10 seconds on web or 20 seconds on Mac) to cancel sending an email. This is not the same as recalling a sent message but can help catch mistakes instantly.

Can I recall an email in Outlook mobile app?

No, the mobile version of Outlook does not support the recall feature. Recalling an email is only available on the Windows desktop version of Outlook or the new Outlook web app.

What happens if I try to recall an email that’s already opened?

If the email has already been opened, the recall will fail. The recipient will still have access to the original message. They may also receive a notification that a recall was attempted.

How to check if my Outlook email recall worked?

After attempting a recall, Outlook will send you a Message Recall Report to your inbox. Open it and follow the link to view the recall status. It will show whether your attempt succeeded, failed, or is still pending.

What are the alternatives to recalling an email?

If a recall isn’t possible:

Send a follow-up correction email.
Use Delay Delivery in Outlook to give yourself time to catch mistakes before emails are sent.
Enable Undo Send if you use Outlook on web or Mac.
Consider third-party secure email solutions like Mailock for better control and revocation of sensitive information.