updated May 2025

We’ve all been there: you hit send in Outlook, only to realize you forgot an attachment, made a typo, or sent the email to the wrong person. Don’t panic—Outlook now offers more ways than ever to unsend or recall an email, with expanded features across platforms. Here are the current best practices for 2025.

Recall This Message (Exchange and Microsoft 365 Accounts)

If you use an Exchange, Microsoft 365, or compatible business account, you may be able to recall an email after sending. Here’s how:

• Go to your Sent Items folder and double-click the email you want to recall to open it in a new window.

• Click the File tab, then select Info.

• Find and click Resend or Recall > Recall This Message.

• Choose one:

  • Delete unread copies of this message (removes the email if it hasn’t been opened).

  • Delete unread copies and replace with a new message (lets you edit and resend).

• Click OK to confirm.

Important limitations:

• Recall only works if the recipient is within your organization and using Outlook with Exchange or Microsoft 365.

• If the recipient has already opened the email, recall won’t work.

• Recipients may be notified that you attempted a recall, even if successful.

Undo Send (Delay Delivery) — Now on All Major Platforms

For added protection, Outlook offers an “Undo Send” feature, giving you a short grace period (up to 10 seconds) to cancel an email after clicking send. This is available on:

• Outlook for Web

• Outlook for Windows

• Outlook for Mac

• Outlook for Android and iOS (new in 2025)

How to enable Undo Send:

• Go to Settings > Mail > Compose and reply.

• Under Undo send, set your preferred delay (up to 10 seconds).

• Click Save.

When you send an email, a prompt will appear allowing you to “Undo” within your chosen time window.

Outlook for Mac, Android, and iOS: Expanded Recall Support

As of 2025, Outlook’s recall feature is now available on Mac, Android, and iOS for Microsoft 365 and Exchange accounts. The process is similar: open the sent message, look for the recall option, and follow the prompts. This brings parity with Windows and web versions, making it easier to recover from mistakes on any device.

Third-Party Clients: More Flexibility

If you use a third-party email client, you may have additional unsend options, such as extending the undo window up to 30 seconds. Check your client’s settings for details.

Best Practices to Avoid Email Regret

While recall and undo features are helpful, they’re not foolproof. To minimize mistakes:

• Double-check recipients, attachments, and content before sending.

• Use Outlook’s spellcheck and autocorrect features to catch errors early.

• Take a moment to review your message, especially for sensitive or emotional topics.

• When in doubt, save as a draft and revisit later.

Summary Table: Outlook Unsend/Recall Features by Platform

Final Thoughts

Outlook’s recall and undo features are more accessible than ever, but they have limits—especially outside corporate environments. Use these tools as a safety net, not a substitute for careful communication. Email confidently, but always review before you send.

Now, go forth and email with confidence (and maybe a little less caffeine, just in case!)