how to recall an email on gmail

How to Recall an Email on Gmail

Introduction: Accidentally sending an email with mistakes or sending it to the wrong recipient can lead to various consequences. Fortunately, Gmail offers a feature that allows you to recall emails, giving you a chance to rectify your mistake. In this article, we will guide you through the process of recalling an email on Gmail, step by step.

Step 1: Enable Undo Send

The first step in recalling an email on Gmail is to ensure that the “Undo Send” feature is enabled. By default, this feature is turned off, so you need to enable it manually. To do this:

1. Open Gmail and click on the gear icon located at the top right corner of the screen.
2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. Navigate to the “General” tab.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Undo Send” section.
5. Check the box next to “Enable Undo Send.”
6. Select the cancellation period that suits your needs.
7. Click on the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page.

Step 2: Recall an Email Immediately After Sending

If you realize your mistake right after sending the email, the process to recall it is straightforward. Here’s how you can recall an email immediately after sending it:

1. After sending the email, you’ll see a notification at the top of your Gmail inbox that says, “Your message has been sent. Undo. View Message.”
3. Click on the “Undo” button to recall the email.
4. Gmail will redirect you to the compose window with the recalled email, allowing you to make necessary changes or modifications.
5. Edit the email accordingly, and when you’re ready to resend, click on the “Send” button again.

Step 3: Recall an Email Using the “Undo Send” Feature

If you want to recall an email after some time has passed since sending it, you can still use the “Undo Send” feature. Follow these steps:

1. Access your Gmail account and go to the settings by clicking on the gear icon.
2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. Scroll down to the “Undo Send” section.
4. Make sure that the cancellation period is long enough to allow you to recall the email.
5. Click on the “Save Changes” button.

Once you have completed the above steps, follow these instructions to recall a sent email:

1. In your inbox, click on the “Sent” folder located on the left side panel.
2. Open the email you want to recall.
3. Click on the “Undo” button displayed at the top of the screen within the cancellation period.
4. The email will open in the compose window, giving you the opportunity to make any necessary revisions.
5. Once you’ve made the desired changes, click on the “Send” button to resend the corrected email.

Step 4: Ensure Successful Email Recall

It’s important to note that not all email recalls will be successful due to several factors. To increase your chances of successfully recalling an email:

• Recall the email as soon as you realize the mistake to minimize the possibility of the recipient opening it.
• Verify that the notification for “Undo” is displayed after sending an email.
• Double-check that the email was not opened or marked as “Read” by the recipient before attempting the recall.

Conclusion:

With the “Undo Send” feature provided by Gmail, recalling an email has become hassle-free. By following the step-by-step instructions outlined in this article, you can rectify any mistakes or errors in your emails, providing you with peace of mind and maintaining a professional communication experience through Gmail.