How to Recall an Email in Outlook

Try to unsend a message you just sent in Outlook — and set up a safety delay for next time.

1. Open the message from your Sent Items

   Recall only works in the classic desktop Outlook app on a Microsoft 365 / Exchange account — not Outlook.com or Gmail accounts. Double-click the sent email to open it in its own window.

2. Go to Message > Actions > Recall This Message

   On the Message ribbon, find the "Move" group, click "Actions," then "Recall This Message." In new Outlook, open the sent item and look for the "Recall Message" button.

3. Choose to delete or replace the copies

   Pick "Delete unread copies" to pull it back, or "Delete unread copies and replace with a new message" to send a corrected version. Recall only succeeds if the recipient is on the same Exchange system and hasn't opened it yet — so it often fails.

4. Set an Undo Send delay so you don't need recall

   Far more reliable: in File > Options > Mail (or Settings in new Outlook), turn on a send delay. This holds outgoing mail for a few seconds so you can hit "Undo" before it ever leaves.