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We’ve all been there—you hit “Send” on an email and realize seconds later that you made a mistake. Whether you left out an attachment, sent it to the wrong person, or spotted a typo in the subject line, Microsoft Outlook gives you a second chance through its Recall This Message feature.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to recall an email in Outlook, when it works (and when it doesn’t), and what alternatives you can use across platforms like Outlook Web, mobile, and Microsoft 365.
💡 What Is Email Recall in Outlook?
Email recall is a feature in Microsoft Outlook that allows you to delete or replace a message that you’ve sent—only if certain conditions are met. Unlike Gmail’s “Undo Send,” which delays sending by a few seconds, Outlook’s recall feature tries to delete the message from the recipient’s inbox after it’s already sent.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Recall an Email in Outlook Desktop
Outlook’s recall feature is only available in the Windows desktop app (not Outlook Web or Mac). Here’s how to do it: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
- Open Outlook and go to the Sent Items folder.
- Double-click the email you want to recall to open it in a new window.
- In the ribbon, select Message > Actions > Recall This Message.
- Choose one of the following:
- ✅ Delete unread copies of this message
- 🔁 Delete unread copies and replace with a new message
- (Optional) Check the box to receive a status report on the recall.
- Click OK.
📝 Note: This only works if both you and the recipient are using Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft 365 in the same organization.
❌ When Email Recall Doesn’t Work (Limitations to Know)
The Outlook recall feature is powerful—but not flawless. Here’s when it won’t work: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
| Condition | Recall Success |
|---|---|
| Recipient is outside your organization | ❌ |
| Recipient has already read the email | ❌ |
| Email was opened in Outlook Web or Mobile | ❌ |
| Email was sent to a public folder | ❌ |
| Recipient is using Gmail, Yahoo, or other external services | ❌ |
| Azure Information Protection is applied | ❌ |
📌 If any of these apply, the recall will fail—and the recipient may even be notified that a recall was attempted.
🔁 Outlook Recall vs Undo Send vs Delayed Delivery
Outlook offers other tools that may be more reliable than message recall: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
| Feature | Available On | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Recall This Message | Outlook Desktop (Windows) | Replacing/deleting unread messages in Exchange |
| Undo Send | Outlook Web, Mobile | Delay send by a few seconds to cancel immediately |
| Delayed Delivery | Outlook Desktop | Schedule emails for future sending |
Pro Tip: If you often make last-minute changes, configure Undo Send in Outlook Web to delay email by 10–30 seconds.
📱 Can You Recall an Email in Outlook Mobile?
Great news! As of 2024, Microsoft has begun rolling out email recall functionality for Outlook Mobile (Android and iOS), but it’s currently limited and still evolving.
✅ Requirements: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
- Microsoft 365 business account
- Exchange Online mailbox
- Latest version of the Outlook mobile app
For now, if you sent an email using Outlook Mobile and need to correct it, your best bet is to send a follow-up with the right information.
✅ Pros and Cons of Email Recall in Outlook
👍 Pros: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
- Can delete confidential or incorrect messages
- Works seamlessly in Microsoft 365 environments
- Allows replacement with updated content
👎 Cons:
- Doesn’t work outside your org
- Fails if recipient reads the message first
- Limited to Windows Desktop Outlook
🧠 Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1:
You accidentally send an internal HR email to the entire company.
👉 Use Recall This Message to delete unread copies before it spreads.
Scenario 2:
You email a client with a wrong document attached.
👉 Use Recall and Replace to correct the attachment with the right file.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I recall an email in Outlook Web or Mac?
No, the recall feature is only available in Outlook for Windows.
Q2: What if the recipient has already opened the email?
Recall will fail. The original email remains in their inbox.
Q3: Can I recall an email sent to Gmail or Yahoo?
No. Email recall only works within the same Exchange or Microsoft 365 domain.
Q4: Is there a way to prevent sending mistakes in the first place?
Yes! Use Delayed Delivery or enable Undo Send in Outlook Web.
Q5: Will the recipient know I tried to recall the email?
Yes, in many cases, the recipient receives a notification that a recall was attempted.
🧱 Best Practices to Avoid Email Blunders
- Enable “Undo Send” in Outlook Web for a safety buffer.
- Use “Delayed Delivery” for critical or sensitive emails.
- Double-check recipient fields before clicking Send.
- Use message encryption or Azure Information Protection for added security.
🎯 Final Thoughts
While recalling an email in Outlook can be a lifesaver in the right conditions, it’s not foolproof. Knowing when—and how—it works is essential. Combine the recall feature with Undo Send, Delayed Delivery, and email hygiene best practices to minimize mistakes and maintain professional communication.
Want a clean visual walkthrough? Stay tuned—next, we’ll post a step-by-step video tutorial showing Outlook email recall in action!
