How to Recall an Email in Outlook

Sending an email in error is easy, but recalling it can be tricky.

If you've ever accidentally sent an email with a typo or the wrong information, you know how frustrating it can be.

Fortunately, you can recall an email in Outlook (in most cases), as long as the recipient hasn't opened it.

Follow the steps below to 'unsend' an email in your version of Outlook.

Contents:

• Recall an Email in Outlook (Classic)
• Recall an Email in Outlook (New)
• If Recalling an Email Doesn't Work
• When You Should Recall an Email
• Replacing an Email in Outlook
• Delaying an Email in Outlook
• Revoking Emails in Outlook

Recall an Email in Outlook for Desktop (Classic Outlook)

If you are using the desktop classic version of Outlook (pictured below) for Windows and you need to recall a sent email, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Message

Open Outlook and go to your Sent Items folder.

Step 2: Open Actions Dropdown

Double-click to open the email you want to recall.

Navigate to the Actions dropdown in the ribbon bar and click 'Recall This Message'.

(Or, right-click your email, select 'Actions', and then choose 'Recall'.)

Step 3: Choose Recall Type

In the 'Recall This Message' pane, select a recall type:

• Delete unread copies of this message: Delete the email from the recipient's inbox if they haven't opened it yet.
• Move unread copies of this message to the Deleted Items folder: Move the email to the recipient's Deleted Items folder if they haven't opened it yet.

You should select the checkbox that says 'Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient' if you want to track the status of the recall.

Step 4: Confirm Recall

Click 'OK' to confirm you want to recall the email.

Recall an Email in Outlook for Web or Desktop (New Outlook)

If you are using the latest version of Outlook on the web or Windows desktop and need to recall a sent email, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Message

In the left folder pane of Outlook, select the 'Sent Items' folder.

Step 2: Click 'Recall'

Double-click on the email you wish to recall.

This will open the email in a separate window.

In the ribbon at the top of the email window, click the 'Recall Message' button.

Step 3: Confirm Recall

Once you click 'Recall Message', a confirmation dialog box will appear.

Select 'OK' to proceed with the recall.

Step 4: Check Report

After initiating the recall, you will receive a 'Message Recall Report' in your inbox (it may take a few seconds).

You can open this report and click the link provided to view the status of your recall - whether it has succeeded, is pending, or has failed.

If Recalling an Outlook Email Doesn't Work

Recalling an email in Outlook isn't always possible.

If you can't recall your email, it might be because of one of these reasons:

Failed Recall: You Are Using Outlook for Mac or Mobile

Recall is only available through the Outlook desktop application for Windows or the new version of Outlook for web, not on Outlook for Mac or mobile devices.

Failed Recall: The Message Has Already Been Opened

If your recipient has already opened your email, a recall will not work.

You can ask your recipient to disregard the email.

However, it will remain in their inbox, and they will continue to have access to it unless it is deleted.

Failed Recall: The Message Has Been Redirected

If your email activated a filter in your recipient's email client redirecting it to another folder, or they manually moved it, you won't be able to recall it.

Email recall works only if the message remains in your recipient's inbox.

Failed Recall: The Recipient Doesn't Use Outlook

Your recipient's email account must be an Outlook or Exchange server (Microsoft) account.

If your recipient uses Gmail, Yahoo, or Apple Mail, the email recall will fail.

There is no way to predict your recipient's email account compatibility ahead of a recall attempt.

When to Recall an Email in Outlook

There are a few situations where you should recall an Outlook email.

• If you accidentally send an email with a typo or a mistake, you should recall the email and send a corrected version.
• If you send an email to the wrong person, you should recall the email and send it to the correct person.
• If you send an email that contains sensitive information, you should recall the email to prevent a data breach.

"You should recall emails as soon as possible.

The sooner you recall an email, the more likely it is to be unopened."

Paul Holland, Founder, Beyond Encryption

Can You Replace an Email in Outlook?

You may have noticed the option to ‘Delete unread copies and replace with a new message’.

If you select this option, you can compose an updated message to replace the original sent message in your recipient’s inbox.

If the recipient opens the updated message first, the original message will be deleted, and the recipient will be notified.

As with a standard email recall, the replacement will only be successful if the recipient has not already opened the original email.

If they open the original email and then you try to replace it, they may receive the replacement message as a separate, new email.

Can You Delay an Email in Outlook?

Outlook also allows you to delay emails so they don't send straight away.

This gives you the opportunity to review the contents of your email before it is sent out and double-check for errors.

Delay a Single Message in Outlook

• Step 1: In the Message editing window, select ‘Options’.
• Step 2: Choose the ‘Delay Delivery’ option.
• Step 3: Check the box labelled 'Do not deliver before'.
• Step 4: Use the drop-down to set a delivery date and time.
• Step 5: Click the ‘Close’ button to save your changes.

After clicking Send, the message will remain in the Outbox folder until the scheduled delivery time.

If you need to set up a rule to delay all outbound messages, follow the steps on the Outlook support page.

Third-Party Tools for Revoking Sensitive Emails in Outlook

Despite carefulness, mistakes happen - even as a cybersecurity researcher, I've mistakenly sent emails more times than I'd like to admit.

When handling sensitive information, errors can lead to fines and reputational damage.

To reliably revoke sensitive messages and prevent errors, consider a secure email solution.

Secure email goes beyond Outlook's recall limitations by allowing you to fully revoke access even after an email has been opened.

Several third-party add-ins for Outlook offer these capabilities, including Mailock for Outlook.

If you need help choosing the right secure email solution for your business, check out our guide on the best secure email services.

You can also watch our video interview with Beyond Encryption Founder Paul Holland on the importance of email revocation solutions.

FAQs

How Do I Recall a Sent Email in Outlook?

In Outlook for Windows, open Sent Items, double-click the email, go to Actions, and select 'Recall This Message' to delete or replace unread copies.

Will the Recipient Know If I Recall an Email in Outlook?

Yes, the recipient may be notified of your recall attempt, especially if it fails.

Why Does Recalling an Email in Outlook Sometimes Fail?

Recalls fail if the email is opened, moved by filters, or if the recipient doesn’t use Outlook or an Exchange server.

How Can I Tell If My Email Recall Was Successful in Outlook?

Outlook sends a 'Message Recall Report' to inform you if the recall succeeded, failed, or is pending.

Is It Possible to Recall an Email in Outlook for Mac or on Mobile Devices?

No, email recall is only available on the Windows desktop version and the new Outlook for the web.

Can You Delete a Sent Email Without Using the Recall Function in Outlook?

No, you can't delete a sent email from a recipient's inbox, but you can delay sending emails to review them.

References

Recall an Email Message That You Sent in Outlook, Microsoft Office Support, 2024

Interview: The State of Email Recall, Beyond Encryption, 2024

How to Recall an Email in Outlook, Microsoft (YouTube Channel), 2023

Delay or Schedule Sending Email Messages in Outlook, Microsoft Office Support, 2024

Reviewed by

Sam Kendall, 16.04.25

Sabrina McClune, 06.12.24