Have you ever sent an email in Microsoft Outlook only to realise you made a mistake? Outlook’s email recall feature can save you from embarrassment, whether a typo, a wrong attachment, or sending it to the wrong person.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to recall an email in Outlook across different versions, including Outlook 365, Mac, web, and mobile apps, along with key limitations.
Can You Recall an Email in Outlook?
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to know that recalling an email in Outlook has certain conditions:
- The recipient must also be using Microsoft Exchange or Outlook 365.
- The email must still be unread.
- The recall may not work if the recipient is outside your organisation.
Now, let’s explore how to recall emails in different versions of Outlook.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook (Desktop – 2016, 2019, 2021, 365)
- Open Outlook and go to the “Sent Items” folder.
- Double-click the email you want to recall.
- Click the “Message” tab in the top menu.
- Select “Actions” > “Recall This Message”.
- Choose either:
- “Delete unread copies of this message” (obliterates it).
- “Delete unread copies and replace with a new message” (lets you send a corrected version).
- Check “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient” for confirmation.
- Click “OK”.
Note: The recall will fail if the recipient has already opened the email.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook 365 (Web App)
Unfortunately, Outlook Web App (OWA) does not support email recall. You’ll need to use the desktop version or the Outlook mobile app (if available).
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Mac
The recall feature in Outlook for Mac is limited compared to Windows:
- Open Sent Items and double-click the email.
- Click “Message” > “Actions”.
- If available, select “Recall This Message”.
- Follow the prompts to confirm.
Note: This feature may not always appear, depending on your Exchange settings.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook App (Mobile – iPhone/Android)
The Outlook mobile app does not support recalling emails directly. You’ll need to:
- Open the email in the desktop version.
- Use the recall option as described above.
Alternatively, you can send a follow-up email correcting the mistake.
How to Recall an Email in Outlook Without the Recipient Knowing
If you want to recall an email in Outlook without the recipient knowing, follow the standard recall steps. However:
- If the recall is successful, the email disappears without notification.
- If it fails, the recipient may see both the original and the recall attempt.
There’s no guaranteed way to recall an email secretly, so act quickly!
How Long Does It Take to Recall an Email in Outlook?
- The recall process is usually instant, but delays can happen due to server issues.
- You typically have a few minutes before the recipient opens it.
Note: Some organisations set a time limit (e.g., 30 minutes) after which recall is no longer possible.
Can You Recall an Email in Outlook Outside Your Organization?
No. Recalling an email in Outlook outside your organisation (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo) is impossible. The feature only works within Exchange or Microsoft 365 environments.
What to Do If Recall Fails?
If you can’t recall the email:
- Send a follow-up email correcting the mistake.
- Apologise if necessary.
- Enable “Delay Delivery” in Outlook to prevent future mishaps.
FAQs
How Long After Sending an Email Can You Recall It in Outlook?
You can recall an email in Outlook only if:
The recipient hasn’t opened it yet.
You’re using Microsoft Exchange or Outlook 365 (not personal email accounts like Gmail).
You act quickly—typically within 30 minutes to 2 hours (depends on your settings).
Note: Some companies set a strict time limit, so the sooner you recall, the better.
How Do I Recall an Email Without the Recipient Knowing?
Outlook does not guarantee a completely undetectable recall, but here’s how to maximise success:
- Open Outlook → Sent Items → Double-click the email.
- Go to “Message” → “Actions” → “Recall This Message”.
- Select “Delete unread copies of this message” (no replacement).
- Check “Tell me if recall succeeds or fails” (for tracking).
What happens?
- If successful, the email disappears from the recipient’s inbox (no notification).
- They may see both the original and the recall attempt if it fails.
Tip: The best way to avoid detection is to recall the email quickly.
Can I Recall a Sent Email?
Yes, but with conditions:
Works in Outlook for Windows (2016, 2019, 2021, 365) with Exchange/Office 365 accounts.
Does not work for:
- Outlook Web (OWA)
- External emails (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)
- Recipients who have already opened the email
Alternative if recall fails:
- Send a follow-up email with corrections.
- Use Delay Delivery in Outlook to prevent future mistakes.
Can I recall an email in Outlook after 1 hour?
Only if the message is still unread, if it’s already read, does recall fail.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to recall an email in Outlook can save you from awkward situations, but it’s not foolproof. The best approach is to double-check emails before sending and use features like Delay Delivery for extra security.
Key Takeaways:
- Recall works best in Outlook for Windows (Exchange/365).
- Outlook Web, Mac, and Mobile have limited/no recall support.
- Act fast—once the email is read, recall fails.
By mastering these steps, you can minimise email mishaps and maintain professionalism. Have you ever successfully recalled an email? Share your experience in the comments!
