You forgot to include an attachment to your email or accidentally sent it to the wrong person. It happens to all of us. Luckily, Outlook gives you the ability to recall that message. Recalling an email in Outlook only works if the following conditions are met:
- You’re using the desktop Outlook app. Email recall does not work with the browser version of Outlook.
- You and your recipient must use Microsoft 365 or Exchange (not a MAPI or POP account) and are in the same organization. Go to your Outlook desktop app and navigate to File > Account Settings > Account Settings to check your email type.
- Your recipient must not have opened the message yet.
- The email should have arrived in the recipient’s inbox and was unaffected by processes like rules or filters.
If these conditions apply to you, here’s how you can recall the email.
Recall an email in the Outlook desktop app
- Open the Outlook desktop app.
- Click on Sent Items.
Click on Sent Items. - Double-click on the message you want to recall. This will open the email in another window.
Sent email opened in a new window. - Select File.
Click on File. - Under Info, click on the button next to Message Resend and Recall.
Click on the Resend or Recall button. - Select Recall This Message (or Resend This Message if you want to edit the original email and resend it).
Click on Recall This Message. - A pop-up will appear with two options. Choose Delete unread copies of this message to recall the email. If you select Delete unread copies and replace with a new message, it allows you to edit the email and resend the revised version.
Select Delete email copies of this message. - Keep the box ticked for Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient if you want to receive an email about the recall’s status.
Keep the box ticked. - Press OK.
Click on OK. - If your recall is successful, you will receive this email notification afterward.
Email notification on recall success (source: microsoft.com)