How to Recall an Email in Outlook

Have you ever sent an email in Microsoft Outlook and immediately regretted it? Maybe you made a typo, forgot an attachment, or sent it to the wrong person. Thankfully, Outlook has a feature that allows you to recall an email. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to recall an email in Outlook and provide some helpful tips.

What is Email Recall in Outlook?

The email recall feature in Outlook lets you retrieve an email that you have already sent, provided that the recipient has not opened it yet. You can either delete the unread message from the recipient’s inbox or replace it with a corrected version.

Steps to Recall an Email in Outlook

To recall an email in Outlook, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Outlook and Go to Sent Items

Open Microsoft Outlook.
Click on the “Sent Items” folder on the left panel.

Step 2: Open the Email You Want to Recall

Double-click on the email you want to recall. This will open it in a new window.

Step 3: Select the Recall Option

Click on the “Message” tab at the top.
Select “Actions” (under the Move group).
Click on “Recall This Message…”

Step 4: Choose a Recall Option

A pop-up window will appear with two options:
- “Delete unread copies of this message” – This will remove the email from the recipient’s inbox.
- “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message” – This will replace the old email with an updated version.
Select your preferred option and click OK.

Step 5: Confirm Recall Status

If the recipient has not opened the email, it will be recalled successfully.
If they have already opened it, the recall will not work, and they will still see the original message.
Outlook may send you a notification about the success or failure of the recall.

Things to Keep in Mind

Works Only for Microsoft Exchange Accounts: Email recall works only if both you and the recipient are using a Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 account within the same organization.

Does Not Work for External Emails: If the email was sent to a Gmail, Yahoo, or any other email provider, recall will not work.

Recipient Must Not Have Opened the Email: If the email has been read, you cannot recall it.

Use the Delay Sending Feature: To avoid mistakes, you can set a delay in sending emails. Go to File > Options > Mail > Send Messages and enable “Undo Send” by setting a delay of a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I recall an email in Outlook after the recipient has read it?

No, once the recipient has opened the email, recall will not work. However, you can send a follow-up email with corrections or explanations.

2. Does the recipient know if I try to recall an email?

Yes, in some cases, the recipient may receive a notification that you attempted to recall an email.

3. How long does it take to recall an email in Outlook?

The recall process is usually quick, but it depends on the recipient’s email settings and whether they have already opened the message.

4. Can I recall an email in Outlook Web App (OWA)?

No, the recall feature is only available in the desktop version of Outlook. You cannot recall emails in the Outlook Web App (OWA).

5. What if email recall fails?

If recall fails, you can send a follow-up email apologizing for the mistake or providing the correct information.

Conclusion

Recalling an email in Outlook can be a lifesaver if you send an email by mistake. However, it is not always foolproof. To avoid errors, consider using the “Undo Send” feature or double-checking your emails before sending them. If recall does not work, sending a polite follow-up email is the best alternative.