Learning how to recall email in Outlook can save you from major miscalculations, whether you transferred the wrong communication, forgot an attachment, or posted the wrong person. This complete, easy- to- understand 2026 companion explains how to recall an email step- by- step using Outlook’s erected- in features.
Accidentally sending the wrong email can make a person's heart race with anxiety. Perhaps you sent a message to someone with whom you didn't intend to communicate, forgot to attach a file, or made a grammatical error. The great thing is that Microsoft Outlook offers a strong tool for you to fix such errors — email recall. With this capability, you can attempt to remove or change the email anytime before the recipient opens it.
With this straightforward and detailed manual, you will figure out how to recall email in Outlook, how the feature operates, when it fails, and what options you have instead. The entire text is written in simple language so that even a 7th-grade student can understand it.
What are you waiting for? Let's get started.
What Does "Recall Email in Outlook" Mean?
In order to figure out how to recall email in Outlook, you have to first understand what actually the recall feature is doing. To recall an email, Outlook attempts to:
Remove the mail from the recipient’s inbox
Change the mail with a new message (optional)
However, the feature is designed to operate only under certain circumstances. We will talk about them later.
In a nutshell, a recall email gives you the opportunity to correct your error.
When Should You Recall an Email?
You should recall an email if:
You sent it to the wrong person.
You forgot an important file.
There was an error in your spelling.
You gave out the wrong information.
You pressed the “Send” button by mistake.
You want to convey the same message in a nicer way.
By learning how to recall an email in Outlook, you will be shielded from quite a few awkward situations.
How to Recall Email in Outlook (Step-by-Step Guide)
So now, it’s time to get to the point — the exact actions needed to withdraw an email.
What follows is the simplest and most updated method of 2026.
Step 1: Open Outlook and Go to Your Sent Items
Your first task is to get into the Sent Items folder. The place where every mail you send is kept.
Steps:
Open Outlook.
On the left side, look at the menu.
Click Sent Items.
Find the email that you wish to recall.
This is a crucial step because only emails that you have already sent can be recalled.
Step 2: Double-Click the Email You Want to Recall
Once you have accessed your Sent Items folder, just double-click the email that you want to take back.
Ensure that the email opens in a new window.
The recall option will not be available if you open the email in the reading pane.
Step 3: Click the "Message" Tab
When the email is in a new window,
Look at the top menu bar.
Click the Message tab.
This tab includes various options related to the email, one of which is recall.
Step 4: Select "Actions" → "Recall This Message"
At this moment, find the little Actions button on the toolbar.
Click on it.
From the menu that drops down, select Recall This Message.
This is the main point that gives you the power to go back on your errors.
Step 5: Choose Recall Options
When you press "Recall This Message," a new window pops up with two options:
1. Delete unread copies of this message
Choose this option if you want to get rid of the email completely.
2. Remove unread copies and substitute a new message.
Use this option if you want to send the recipient a corrected copy of the email.
Tick the box corresponding to your choice and then click OK.
Additionally, you may also choose to enable the option:
Let me know if the recall is successful or not
This is helpful if you want to keep track of the result.
Step 6: Confirmation Status
After the recall request has been sent, the Outlook program will let you know through a status message whether it was successful or not.
You cannot change the status by force. Furthermore, you have to wait for a few seconds (or even minutes)
How to Recall Email in Outlook Web (OWA)
A lot of the people who use Outlook also go for the web version (OWA) or the offline use. Here is the fact: Currently, Outlook Web is not able to perform the recall function.
Still, it is compatible with a very useful feature called Undo Send.
This feature enables the user to be able to cease sending an email within a very short period of time after the send command was given.
How to activate Undo Send in Outlook Web:
- Open Outlook Web.
- Click Settings (gear icon).
- Mail → Compose and Reply.
- Scroll to Undo Send.
- Set delay (5–10 seconds).
So, now you have a very short time window when you can cancel your mail.
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How to Recall Email in Outlook on Mobile
It is not possible to recall an email by using the following devices:
An Android device with the Outlook app
An iPhone with the Outlook app
An iPad with the Outlook app
Only the desktop version has the recall function.
If you want to recall an email, then you must do it on a computer by logging in to Outlook.
How to Undo an Email Before Sending It (Best Alternative)
In a situation where the recall feature is not operable, you may still be able to use the Undo Send function to avoid making mistakes.
There is a "buffer time" built into Outlook during which the sending of an email is delayed by a few seconds. Within this period, you have the option of stopping the message.
How to set up Undo Send in Outlook Desktop
- Go to Outlook.
- Select File.
- Click Options.
- Navigate to Mail.
- Locate the Undo Send section.
- Pick delay time (5–10 seconds).
- Confirm your changes.
This feature now allows you to withdraw the message from your mailbox before it is actually sent to the recipient.
How to Recall Email in Outlook for Multiple Recipients
If the email you sent was addressed to a large number of people, then it is more challenging to recall.
Here is the explanation of the process:
- Outlook tries to do the recall for each person separately.
- It may be that some recalls are successful while others are not.
- For each outcome, you will get a different message.
In order to raise your probability of success:
- Be fast
- Select the replace option
- Make sure everyone is using Outlook
Can You Recall an Email with an Attachment?
Sure, you can.
If you detached the file, or the wrong one is attached:
- Simply select the replace option
- Put the right file
- Send the updated email
It is the safest way to fix mishaps in the case where you have wrongly attached files.
How to Recall Email in Outlook for Sensitive Information
What if you have sent confidential or sensitive information to the wrong recipient by mistake?
If this situation arises:
- Try to recall the email asap.
- Send an email to the recipient apologizing.
- Let the IT or security team know if that is the case.
This is very important in professional environments.
Requirements for Successful Email Recall
To be able to do a recall email in Outlook, you also need to be aware of the requirements for it to work. A recall in outlook only works in situations when:
✔Both sender and receiver are on Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365
If the sending and receiving servers are Gmail, Yahoo, or any other external services, then recall will not work.
✔The receiver has not yet read the email
If the email happens to be opened even once, recall will not go through.
✔The receiver is using the Outlook desktop app
The recall feature is disabled on mobile apps or other email clients.
✔Both of you are in the same company
Most companies allow this. Personal accounts usually do not.
Why Email Recall Fails in Outlook
There are occasions when recalling an email is not successful. So, what could be the reasons for that?
Here are the reasons most:
The receiver opened the email
As soon as the email is opened, it is no longer possible to recall it.
The receiver’s email is on Gmail, Yahoo, or other such platforms
Recall only operates within Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 environments.
The receiver is on mobile Outlook
The recall feature is not available on the mobile versions.
The email was sent to a shared inbox
Recall cannot take back emails from shared mailboxes.
The email was moved by email rules or filters
In case the receiver has set up specific mail rules, recall will not be able to find the email.
What Happens When You Recall an Email?
When recalling an email, Microsoft Outlook essentially does the following:
It directs the command to the mailbox of the recipient.
If the email is still unread, Outlook will try to delete it.
In case you chose "replace", the recipient will get the new email instead of the old one.
The recipient may get a notification that the email was recalled.
You get the message about whether the recall was successful or not.
This is why it is so necessary to know how to recall email in Outlook.
How to Replace an Email After Recalling It
If you decide to use the option:
"Delete unread copies and replace with a new message"
a new blank message window is opened by Outlook.
Now you have the option to:
Correct your errors
Add the right files
Rewrite
How Long Does It Take to Recall an Email in Outlook?
The recall operation is generally not slow. In fact, the time it usually takes is:
A few seconds to be able to send the recall request
Up to one minute to be able to see the status message
The exact time, however, is determined by the following factors:
Internet connection speed
The current state of the server
The weight of the email
The number of people who are going to receive the mail
In such a case that the email you sent is large and there are many recipients, the time it takes may be longer.
Outlook Recall vs Undo Send vs Delay Rule
| Feature | When It Works | Best For |
| Recall Email | After sending | Fixing mistakes with unread emails |
| Undo Send | Within few seconds | Quick cancellation |
| Delay Rule | Before sending | Preventing mistakes |
Tips to Avoid Email Mistakes in Outlook
Knowing how to recall an email in Outlook is a great help, but it would be even better if you never made mistakes in the first place.
Below are some easy ways to help you out:
✔ Turn on Undo Send
That feature gives you a few seconds to be able to cancel the sending of the message.
✔ Put a delay rule to work
With this method, you can have every single email delayed by one or two minutes, that is done automatically.
✔ Be extra careful with the recipient
Especially if you are working with similar names.
✔ Check the email
Before sending, review the email in your mind or aloud.
✔ Put the files first
This will help you from forgetting the files.
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How to Set a Delay Rule in Outlook
With this way of doing things, errors are kept from happening even before they have a chance to arise.
Steps to establish a delay rule:
- Start Outlook.
- Click File.
- Open Manage Rules & Alerts.
- Create New Rules.
- For a blank new rule, check the box:→ Apply rule on messages I send
- Hit the Next button.
- Select Defer delivery by X minutes.
- Choose 1–2 minutes.
- Confirm the new rule.
At present, every email will be put on hold for a couple of minutes before it is sent, thus giving you time to make corrections if there were any mistakes.
Conclusion on How to recall email in Outlook
Anyone who uses email on a regular basis must know how to recall email in Outlook. Although errors occur, Outlook allows you another opportunity. You can be more assured in your actions and prevent humiliating scenarios by using recall, undo send, and delay regulations.
Follow the advice in this guide to handle emails like a pro. Even if you are a novice to Outlook, this article will walk you through the procedure in a straightforward manner.
FAQ
1. How do I recall an email already sent in Outlook?
Go to Sent Items, open the email, click the Message tab, click Actions, click Recall This Message, and then select delete or replace.
2. Where is the Outlook recall button?
It may be found in the email window under the Message tab by selecting Actions and then Recall This Message.
3. How do I view a recalled email in Outlook?
Outlook sends a recall status message indicating success or failure; you are unable to see the recalled email itself.
4. Can a person see a recalled email?
Only if they got a recall alert or opened the original email.
5. How to check if recall is enabled?
Open any email you sent, go to the Message tab, and see if Actions has Recall. This message is accessible.
6. Can I recall an email after sending?
Yes, but only if you both use Outlook with Microsoft Exchange/365 and the receiver hasn't opened the email.
7. Why can't I recall an email in Outlook?
A recipient's memory will fail if they are not a member of your organization, use Gmail/Yahoo, have already opened the email, or use outlook web/mobile.
8. Is email recall always successful?
Recall cannot be ensured. The only time it works is when certain criteria are met (unread email + same Outlook system).
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