# How to Recall an Email in Outlook: A Complete Guide

We’ve all been there—you hit “Send” on an email in Outlook only to realize seconds later that you’ve made a mistake. Maybe you sent it to the wrong recipient, forgot to attach a file, or spotted a typo in the subject line. Thankfully, Microsoft Outlook has a built-in feature called Recall This Message, which can help you retract or replace an email after sending it. While it’s not foolproof, knowing how to recall an email in Outlook can save you from embarrassing or costly errors.

## What Is Email Recall in Outlook?

The Recall This Message feature in Outlook allows you to take back an email you’ve already sent—provided certain conditions are met. You can either:

**Delete the message entirely from the recipient’s inbox.**

Replace the message with an updated version that includes corrections or additional information.

This feature is particularly useful in workplace settings where mistakes in emails can have significant consequences.

**Requirements for Email Recall in Outlook**

Before attempting to recall an email, you need to make sure the following conditions are met:

Both sender and recipient must be using Microsoft Outlook. The recall feature only works if the recipient also has Outlook configured with an Exchange or Microsoft 365 account.

**The email must remain unread. If the recipient has already opened the email, recall will fail.**

Both accounts must be in the same organization. Recall typically works within the same company or Exchange server. Sending to external email addresses like Gmail or Yahoo will not support recall.

Rules and settings may affect recall. If the recipient has rules that move emails into folders, the recall might not work as expected.

Understanding these requirements helps you know when recalling an email is possible and when it isn’t.

## **Step-by-Step Guide to Recall an Email in Outlook**

Here’s how you can recall an email in Outlook on desktop (Windows):

**Open Microsoft Outlook**.
Launch the Outlook app on your computer.

**Go to the Sent Items folder.**
In the left-hand navigation panel, click on Sent Items to view all messages you’ve sent.

**Select the message you want to recall.**
Double-click the email to open it in a separate window. You cannot recall an email from the reading pane.

**Click on File > Info.**
In the top menu, select File, then under the Info section, choose Message Resend and Recall.

**Choose Recall This Message.**
A dropdown will appear—select Recall This Message.

**Choose your recall option.**

Delete unread copies of this message – Removes the message from the recipient’s inbox if it hasn’t been read.

Delete unread copies and replace with a new message – Lets you correct the original email and resend it.

**Receive a notification.**
Outlook can notify you if the recall succeeds or fails. You’ll get a message in your inbox with the results.

## Limitations of Outlook Email Recall

While recalling an email sounds like the perfect safety net, there are important limitations:

The recipient may still see the original message. If they’ve opened it already, recall won’t work.

External addresses are excluded. If you send an email outside your company’s domain (like Gmail, Yahoo, etc.), recall will not function.

Mobile and web-based Outlook versions differ. The recall feature is available only in the desktop app, not in Outlook Web App (OWA) or Outlook for Mac.

Recipient settings may override recall. If the recipient has automatic rules, such as moving emails to folders, recall may fail.

Timing is crucial. The quicker you act after sending, the higher the chance of a successful recall.
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## How to Check If Recall Worked

When you attempt to recall an email, Outlook sends you a notification of success or failure. You’ll receive a message in your inbox indicating whether:

## The recall was successful.

The recall failed because the email was already opened or couldn’t be removed.

Keep in mind that recipients may still see a notification that a recall was attempted, even if it succeeds.

**Alternatives to Recalling an Email**

Since recall doesn’t always work, it’s a good idea to use alternatives that minimize mistakes:

**Enable the Undo Send feature.**
In Outlook (web version and newer desktop apps), you can set a short delay (5–10 seconds) before an email is actually sent. This gives you time to cancel the send.

**Double-check recipients and attachments.**
Before clicking send, always review your recipients, subject line, and attachments carefully.

**Use Drafts for important emails.**
If an email is sensitive or complex, save it as a draft, then review it after a short break before sending.

**Use delayed delivery.**
In Outlook, you can schedule emails to send at a later time. This provides a window of opportunity to review and cancel if needed.

## Final Thoughts

The ability to recall an email in Outlook can be a lifesaver, but it’s not guaranteed to work in every situation. It depends on whether the recipient is using Outlook, if the message remains unread, and if both accounts are within the same organization. While the feature is useful, it’s always better to adopt preventive strategies such as delayed delivery, undo send, or careful proofreading.