We’ve all been there. That sinking feeling when you realise you’ve sent an email with an embarrassing typo or sensitive information to the wrong recipient.
Thankfully, Microsoft Outlook provides a feature that allows you to recall emails after sending them. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to recall an email in Outlook, covering various scenarios and platforms.
Outlook Recall Requirements and Limitations
Before relying on email recall in Outlook, it’s essential to understand its requirements and limitations:
- Both you and the recipient must be using Microsoft Exchange Server accounts.
- The recipient must have Outlook open and running.
- The recall feature is not available for emails sent to internet email addresses unless the recipient’s email system supports it.
- If the recipient has already read the email, the recall may fail.
How Long Does It Take to Recall an Email in Outlook?
The timeframe for recalling an email in Outlook varies. If the recipient hasn’t opened the email, the recall should be nearly instantaneous. However, if the email has already been read, the recall becomes more complicated.
When the recipient has read the email, the recall request essentially becomes a request to delete the email from their inbox. Success depends on factors like their email client and server settings. Some email systems may honour the recall request, while others may not. Therefore, it’s crucial to act quickly if you’ve sent an email in error.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Without the Recipient Knowing?
Recalling an email without the recipient knowing is a common concern, especially in professional settings. Unfortunately, Outlook does not provide a foolproof method for this.
If the recipient hasn’t opened the email yet, there’s a chance they won’t know about the recall attempt. However, once they’ve opened it, they’ll be notified that you tried to recall the message.
Does Outlook notify recipient of recall?
Depending on the recipient’s settings, Outlook may notify the user of a recall.
You can also track the status of a recall. To do so, make sure to enable the option for “Tell Me if Recall Succeeds or Fails for Each Recipient.”
Use Delaying Email as an Alternative
To avoid the uncertainty of email recall, consider using delayed email delivery as a preventive measure.
By scheduling emails to be sent at a later time, you can double-check your messages before they are sent, reducing the chances of errors.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook 365?
Outlook 365 is a popular email client, and recalling an email in this version is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open Outlook 365 and navigate to the “Sent Items” folder.
2. Double-click on the email you want to recall to open it.
3. Go to the “Message” tab at the top of the screen.
4. Click on the “Actions” dropdown menu.
5. Select “Recall This Message.”
6. Choose whether you want to “Delete unread copies of this message” or “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.”
7. Click “OK” to confirm your choice.
Please note that this method works if the recipient has not yet opened the email. If the email has been read, the recall may not be successful.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook on Mac?
Recalling an email in Outlook on Mac is also doable, albeit with a slightly different process:
1. Launch Outlook on your Mac.
2. Navigate to the “Sent Items” folder.
3. Double-click on the email you wish to recall to open it.
4. Locate the “Message” tab in the menu bar.
5. Click on the “Actions” dropdown menu.
6. Select “Recall This Message.”
7. Choose whether to “Delete unread copies of this message” or “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message.”
8. Click “OK” to confirm.
The same caveat applies here. The recall may not work if the recipient has already read the email.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook on an iPhone?
Recalling an email in Outlook on an iPhone is a mobile-friendly process:
1. Open the Outlook app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the “Sent” folder.
3. Locate and tap on the email you want to recall.
4. Tap the three dots (…) in the upper-right corner of the screen.
5. Select “Recall This Message.”
6. Choose your recall preferences and tap “OK.”
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Google Chrome?
If you’re using Outlook on Google Chrome, follow these steps to recall a sent email:
1. Open Google Chrome and access your Outlook account.
2. Go to the “Sent Items” folder.
3. Find and open the email you wish to recall.
4. Click on the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
5. Choose “Recall This Message.”
6. Confirm your recall preferences and click “OK.”
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Mobile?
Recalling emails on the Outlook mobile app is a quick process. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Outlook app on your mobile device.
2. Navigate to the “Sent Items” folder.
3. Find the email you want to recall and tap on it.
4. Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner.
5. Select “Recall This Message.”
6. Confirm your recall settings and tap “OK.”
How to Recall an Email in Outlook with Delayed Delivery?
Recalling an email with delayed delivery is easy. Here’s how to do it:
1. Compose your email as usual.
2. Instead of clicking “Send,” go to the “Options” tab on the ribbon.
3. In the “More Options” group, select “Delay Delivery.”
4. Choose a specific date and time for the email to be sent.
5. Click “Close” and then “Send.”
If you realise a mistake after scheduling the email, you can recall it following the previous instructions for recalling emails in Outlook.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Calendar Invite?
Recalling a calendar invite in Outlook is similar to recalling a regular email. Follow these steps:
1. Open Outlook and navigate to the “Calendar” section.
2. Find the calendar invite you want to recall.
3. Double-click on the invite to open it.
4. Go to the “Meeting” tab at the top.
5. Click on “Actions” and select “Recall This Meeting.”
6. Confirm your recall preferences and click “OK.”
Remember that the success of the recall depends on the recipient’s actions and settings.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook That Has Been Read?
Recalling an email in Outlook that has been read is challenging. In most cases, the recipient will be aware of the recall attempt. To increase your chances of success:
1. Act quickly: The sooner you attempt the recall, the better.
2. Use delayed delivery: As mentioned earlier, consider scheduling emails with delayed delivery to provide a buffer for potential recalls.
How to Cancel a Recall Email in Outlook?
Once you’ve initiated a recall, you cannot cancel it. The recall request is sent immediately, and it’s up to the recipient’s email system to honour it or not.
Be cautious when using the recall feature and double-check your emails before sending to avoid unnecessary complications.
How to Recall and Replace an Email in Outlook?
If you want to recall an email and replace it with a corrected version, follow these steps:
1. Recall the original email using the steps mentioned above for your platform.
2. After recalling the email, open your “Drafts” folder.
3. Find the original email you recalled, make the necessary edits, and resend it.
Check and Check Again!
Recalling an email in Outlook is a useful feature that can save you from email mishaps, but it’s not foolproof.
Understanding the limitations and using alternative methods, like delayed email delivery, can help you manage your emails more effectively and reduce the chances of sending something you’ll regret.
Always double-check your emails before hitting the send button to minimise the need for recalls in the first place.
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Harriet Wainwright 
Avery Davis 
