How to Recall an Email in Microsoft Outlook? [30 Sec Fix]

Accidentally hit “Send”, and there it goes from your outbox, and you realize there is a typo, a missing attachment, or it was sent to the wrong person. Do not worry, Outlook can save you! Microsoft Outlook has a feature called “recall” that allows you to unsend or replace an email before it has been read by the recipient.

This tool is a great option for professionals who use Outlook for communication while conducting business. Moreover, it takes less than 30 seconds for you to correct what you sent, provided you act quickly.

How Does the Outlook Feature Work?

The Outlook Recall feature is powerful but only works under specific, strict conditions. If these are not met, the recall will fail:

• Same Organization Required: Both the sender and the recipient must have Microsoft 365 or Exchange email accounts within the same organization.
• Unread Status: The message must still be marked as Unread in the recipient’s primary inbox.
• No Web/Consumer Accounts: Recall will not work if the recipient uses a consumer account (like Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) or if the message was handled by mobile/web versions of Outlook that bypass certain desktop processes.

30-Second Fix to Recall an Email in Outlook

The recall feature of Outlook saves you from accidental problems. It’s just that you have to act quickly to benefit from it. Here’s how:

1. Find the Sent Items Folder

You’ll need to go to the Sent Items folder in Outlook and double-click the email you’re recalling.

2. Select the Recall Option

In the window with the email open, click the Message tab, and select Actions. Choose Recall this message.

3. Choose Deletions

You will see a pop-up with two options: Delete unread copies of this message and Delete unread copies and replace with a new message. Make your selection and click OK.

4. Replace Old Message

If you select to replace, Outlook opens a new window with the original email content for you to edit. Make whatever changes and click Send again.

5. Wait for Confirmation

You’ll receive an automatic email letting you know if the recall was successful.

How to Recall an Email in Outlook Web?

Unfortunately, the traditional option is not available in the web version of Outlook. However, you can safeguard against future errors by enabling the Undo Send option. To enable the Undo Send option:

• Click on the Settings (gear) icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
• Select View all Outlook settings, go to Mail, and choose Compose and reply.
• Scroll to the Undo Send area and move the slider to set the desired delay before sending an email (up to 10 seconds).
• Click on the Save button.

 Dealing with “Read” Status: The Follow-Up Strategy

The recall feature’s biggest enemy is the recipient opening the email. If the message has been read or if the recipient’s Outlook settings move the email to another folder, the recall will inevitably fail. Instead of wasting time attempting a recall that will not work, professionals should immediately implement a polite “Damage Control” strategy:

The 30-Second Follow-Up: Immediately hit Reply to your sent message. Do not compose a new email.

Acknowledge the Error: Start with a brief, professional acknowledgment: “My apologies, please disregard the previous email due to a missing attachment/typo.”

Provide the Correction: Send the correct email content or the missing file in this new reply. This ensures the correct information is at the top of the thread and is highly visible, minimizing confusion.

How to Recall an Email in Outlook for Mac Users [Quick Fixes]

While the traditional “Recall This Message” feature is exclusive to the Windows desktop client, Mac users often need a solution too. If you are using Outlook for Mac, your best strategy is preventative action:

• Enable the Delayed Send Rule: The Mac client allows you to create a rule that holds your messages in the Outbox for a specific time (e.g., 2 minutes) before sending. This provides a crucial window to intercept and delete the message manually.
  1. Go to Tools and select Rules.
  2. Select Exchange (or your account type) and click the + button to add a new rule.
  3. Set the condition to “All Messages.”
  4. Set the action to “Delay Delivery” and input your desired time (e.g., 2 minutes).
  5. Name the rule (e.g., “Outbox Delay”) and click OK.

• Manual Intercept: If you immediately regret hitting send, go to your Outbox folder, open the message, and delete it before the delay period expires.

Frequently Asked Questions