We’ve sent many emails with embarrassing errors, and sometimes without “Attached” documents (you know we wanted to attach, but forgot). But the platforms have been quite accommodating in allowing you to reverse or recall emails since we all make mistakes. If you’re beginning to use an email service, you might not be aware of the capability to recall an email from it. If you’ve just begun using Outlook, here’s how to recall an email in Outlook.
How We Tested the Outlook Recall Feature
To test the Recall feature in Outlook, we tested it across multiple platforms, each of New Outlook and Classic Outlook in 2026. We sent emails to Windows, Android, and iOS and attempted to remember the email to test whether it was effective or not. We also tested different scenarios, including unread emails and those already been opened, to determine whether the Recall feature is broken.
Additionally, we monitored the results of an option called “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient” that generates a Message Recall Report in the inbox. Be aware that in cross-platform situations, such as recalling and sending an email from Outlook to a Gmail address, the process may fail.
Requirements for Outlook Email Recall
Before we start, be aware that the recall feature in Outlook will only be available to users who are enrolled in Microsoft 365 and who belong to the same company (or utilize Microsoft Exchange). Personal email accounts like Gmail, Hotmail, and Outlook.com can’t use message recall. Additionally, for Outlook email recall features to work, the recipient should not have opened the email yet.
If they’ve opened the email, they’ll receive an email notification saying the email was recalled. The message from before may be displayed, even though. This is a little more distinct than Gmail’s Undo Send feature.
Also read: Why Is My Outlook Not Receiving Emails? 10 Easy Fixes
How to Recall an Email in New Outlook & Outlook Web
Here is a guide on how to recall an email in Outlook’s Desktop application. You can either click the top bar to choose your recall options or select the options in the email’s More Actions.
Method 1: Recall Email From Outlook’s Top Toolbar
Recalling an Outlook email is fairly simple. If you’re using the Outlook application on Windows or the web-based version. Here’s how you can accomplish it.
- Start Outlook and then navigate to the Send Items on the left side of your screen.
- Choose an Outlook email you wish to keep in mind and then click the Recall button in the toolbar at the top.
- When the prompt pops up, click OK to recall the email. Outlook will attempt to remember it.
You can also click on the email you received, go to Advanced options, and then click the Recall button.
Method 2: Recall Email Using More Actions
Outlook comes with two interfaces for drafting and viewing content. One that is a part of your principal Outlook window, and the other allows you to open the draft in an entirely separate window. One thing they share is that several action options can be used by clicking the three dots icon. The program also has a feature to recall emails in Outlook. How you can use it:
- Double-click on an email to display it in a new window, or click on it once.
- Select the 3-dots icon and then go to Advanced options.
- From the drop-down menu, select the Recall message and click OK in the prompt.
In both instances, if the Outlook recall is successful, you’ll receive a new message with “Recall Report.” Clicking on this will tell you whether the recall request was successful.
How to Recall an Email in Classic Outlook (Desktop)
Recalling emails is different than the standard Outlook application. First, you must open the sent email in a separate window before recalling. Follow the steps on how to recall an Email in Outlook.
- Open the traditional Outlook application, then move it into the Sent items folder.
- Here, double twice on the sent email that you wish to remember. The email will be displayed in a new window.
- Then, go to the Message tab and click Actions.
- Click on Recall This message, and that’s all there is to it.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Mobile (Android & iPhone)
You can use the Recall option on the Android and the iPhone Versions of the Outlook application. The procedure is essentially similar in both clients, and we’ve decided to use Android for this guide.
- Start Outlook on your Android or iPhone. Tap on your profile photo in the top corner and then choose “Sent” on the left sidebar.
- Tap the 3-dots icon at the top of the screen and choose Recall, then tap “OK” to confirm
- After sending and receiving, you will be notified if Outlook has succeeded in recalling it.
Why Your Outlook Recall Might Fail?
Even if you meet the criteria, the Outlook Recall feature might fail to function.
Common Reasons Outlook Recall Does Not Work
- The recipient already opened the email
- The message was moved from the Inbox
- Inbox rules redirected the email
- The recipient uses Gmail or another email provider
- The recipient’s mailbox is temporarily unavailable
In some situations, Outlook retries the recall request for up to 24 hours before marking it as failed.
Also read: What Is Hide My Email? How It Works on iOS and iCloud
Better Alternative: How to Set Up ‘Undo Send’ in Outlook?
If you find that the Outlook recall feature isn’t available for you, you can use the ‘Undo Send’ feature, which is available for cross-platform email clients, too. It delays the actual sending of the mail for a short time (up to 30 seconds) and gives you the chance to resend the email before it leaves your inbox. It’s not an actual “unsend” feature that can be used after the delivery. However, here’s how you can set up “Undo Send” in Outlook.
- Start the Outlook app, and then move to View> View Settings.
- Next, click on “Compose and reply”, scroll to the bottom, and look for Undo Send.
- You can adjust the slider to choose the time window between 5 and 30 seconds. Select save, and you’re done.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to recall an email in Outlook can save you from embarrassing mistakes and communication issues. While the feature can be useful inside Microsoft organizations, it has several limitations and doesn’t always work reliably.
FAQs: How to Recall an Email in Outlook
Can I recall an email in Outlook after sending it?
Yes, but only if both sender and recipient use Microsoft Outlook within the same organization and the email has not been opened yet.
Does Outlook recall work if the email is already read?
No, once the email is opened by the recipient, the recall feature usually fails.
How long does Outlook take to recall an email?
It usually happens instantly, but in some cases Outlook may retry for up to 24 hours.
Can I replace a recalled email with a new one?
Yes, Outlook allows you to delete the original email and send a corrected version if the recall is successful.
How to recall an email in Outlook on iPhone?
In Microsoft Outlook on iPhone, go to Sent Items → open email → tap three dots → select Recall Message → confirm (if the option is available).
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