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This article will show you how to Unsend an Email in Gmail on PC and Phone. There may come a time when you need to recall an email for the purpose of editing it before it is sent to the recipient. This may be necessary in the event that you discovered a typo in the message or forgot to add an important detail. If you use Gmail, you’ll be happy to know that Google’s Undo feature makes it possible to do this. Even though the maximum amount of time you have to recall an email in Gmail is only five seconds if you’re using the mobile app and 30 seconds if you’re using a computer, recalling your message is simple enough and only requires a tap or click if you act quickly enough.
However, the maximum amount of time you have to recall an email in Gmail is only 30 seconds if you’re using a computer. If you found this article because you want to recall an email that you previously sent from Gmail, we are sorry to say that you won’t be able to do so. You have the ability to recall emails that you have sent through Gmail, but only for a limited time after you have actually sent them. However, continue reading so that you can learn how to cover your tracks the next time. Here are the steps how to Unsend an Email in Gmail on PC and Phone.
How to Unsend an Email in Gmail on PC
- Open Gmail and click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner of the screen.
- Click See all settings.
- Scroll down to the Undo Send section and select a Send cancellation period of 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds.
- Click Save changes.
Once you have enabled the “Undo Send” feature, you can unsend an email by following these steps:
- Send your email.
- Immediately after sending your email, click the Undo button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Click Undo again to confirm.
How to Unsend an Email in Gmail on Android
- Open the Gmail app on your Android device.
- Tap the three lines in the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap Sent.
- Find the email you want to unsend and tap it.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Tap Undo.
How to Unsend an Email in Gmail on iPhone
- Open the Gmail app on iPhone.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the email you want to unsend.
- Tap “Undo Send”.
- You will have 5 seconds to undo sending the email.
- If you don’t tap “Undo Send” within 5 seconds, the email will be sent and you will not be able to unsend it.
What is the time limit for unsending an email in Gmail?
| Time Limit | Time Delay Options |
|---|---|
| 5 seconds | 5 seconds |
| 10 seconds | 10 seconds |
| 20 seconds | 20 seconds |
| 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Why would you want to unsend an email?
- Error Correction: Perhaps the most common reason is to correct errors in the email. This could include fixing typos, adding or removing attachments, or making changes to the content to ensure accuracy.
- Recipient Mistake: You may have accidentally sent an email to the wrong person or the wrong email address, and you want to prevent them from seeing it.
- Timing: Sometimes, you may realize that you sent an email at an inappropriate time, such as during non-working hours or on a weekend. You may want to retract it until a more suitable time.
- Sensitive Information: If you’ve sent sensitive or confidential information to the wrong recipient, you may want to unsend the email to prevent unauthorized access to that information.
- Emotional Responses: In the heat of the moment, you may have sent an emotional or impulsive email. Unsending it can prevent misunderstandings or conflicts.
Limitations and Considerations to Unsend an Email in Gmail on iPhone
| Limitation/Consideration | Description |
|---|---|
| Time Limit | You can only unsend an email within a specific time frame after sending it, typically around 30 seconds. |
| Network Connection | You need an active internet connection to unsend an email as the request is sent to Gmail’s servers. |
| Gmail Account | You must be signed in with the Gmail account from which you sent the email to unsend it. |
| Recipients’ Actions | If the recipients have already opened or acted on the email, you won’t be able to unsend it. |
| Unsend Function Availability | The “Unsend” feature may not be available on all versions of the Gmail app for iPhone. |
| Recipient’s Gmail | The recipient must be using Gmail for the “Unsend” feature to work. It won’t work for other email services. |
| Mobile App Only | Unsending an email is typically available in the mobile Gmail app for iPhone, not on the web version. |
| Notification | There may not be a confirmation notification after successfully unsending an email. |
Conclusion
You are afforded a grace period of up to 30 seconds after sending an email in Gmail thanks to the Undo Send feature. During this time, you can recall the email and make any necessary changes. As long as you move quickly, you will have plenty of time to prevent the recipient from noticing your error. The steps to enable the feature are outlined here.
Questions and Answers
If you change your mind about sending an email through Gmail on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, the process is the same. 1. Once you have sent an email, a notification that the email has been sent will appear at the bottom of the screen, along with an option to undo the action. 2.
No, it is not possible to recall an email in Gmail a day after you have sent it. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. After the maximum cancellation period of 30 seconds has passed, there is no longer any way to use the Undo Send feature after it has already been used.
Open your mail account (Gmail/Outlook) and go to the “Sent” folder. Now select the email that you want to delete. After having selected that particular email, click on the “Delete” button, which looks like a trash bin. Gmail conversation is moved to the bin, but in Outlook, it is moved to the recoverable items.
To begin, the unsend feature might not work if the recipient of the email has already opened it or if you wait too long to try to unsend it before the email is sent. Both Outlook and Gmail provide you with a predetermined amount of time after you send an email—typically a period of time ranging from five to thirty seconds—during which you can retract the email. After that, the feature will no longer be accessible.