How to recall email in Gmail

By Alan Martin
last updated

Sent something by mistake? Here's how to recall an email message in Gmail

How to recall email in Gmail
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Sending an email with a typo is a mortifying experience that we’ve all suffered at some point. But in Gmail, there is a brief recall window.

Here’s how to recall email in Gmail, and how to make the recall window that bit bigger.

How to recall email in Gmail 

By default, you can recall an email message in Gmail, but only for five seconds after you pressed "send." Here's how.

1. Send the email 

Technically, you’d want to avoid this step in an ideal world. But you can’t unsend an email without sending it first, so for demonstration purposes, here’s an email I’m going to regret sending the second after it goes. 

Step 1: How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

2. Quickly hit 'Undo'

You really have to be quick to hit this — so quick, in fact, that I accidentally sent it to myself while trying to get screenshots. But in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen, you’ll spot a button saying “Message sent” with the words “Undo” and “View message” next to it. Hit “Undo”. 

Step 2: How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

3. Breathe a sigh of relief 

If you were quick enough, the email will return to draft form as in the picture below, with the message “Sending undone” flashing in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

Step 3: How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

How to buy more time to recall emails in Gmail 

By default, the “Undo” window is tiny — just five seconds in length. Here’s how you can extend this. 

1. Go to your Gmail settings 

Hit the cog in the top right-hand corner of Gmail. Then press “See all settings” from the submenu that appears. 

Step 4. How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

2. Find 'Undo Send' settings 

Step 5: How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

Four items down on the general settings tab, you’ll find “Undo Send.” There’s a dropdown menu where you can change the recall window to five, 10, 20 or 30 seconds. Make your choice here.

3. Don’t forget to Save Changes! 

Once done, scroll to the very bottom of the page and press “Save Changes”. Now you’ll get a more generous window the next time you want to recall email in Gmail!

Step 6: How to recall email in Gmail

(Image credit: Alan Martin)

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  8. How to recall email in Gmail
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  10. How to delete all emails in Gmail
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Alan Martin
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.