how to recall a message in outlook

To recall a message in Microsoft Outlook, follow these steps depending on your Outlook version and device:

For Outlook on Windows (Classic or Simplified Ribbon)

1. Go to the Sent Items folder.
2. Double-click the email you want to recall to open it in a new window (just previewing it won't work).
3. On the ribbon:
   • If you have the Classic Ribbon, go to Message tab > Actions > Recall This Message.
   • If you have the Simplified Ribbon, go to Message tab > Move > Actions > Recall This Message.
4. Choose one of the options:
   • Delete unread copies of this message to recall the email.
   • Delete unread copies and replace with a new message to recall and send a corrected email.
5. Optionally, check Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient to get a status report.
6. Click OK and, if replacing, compose and send the new message.

You will receive a recall report shortly after, indicating success or failure

For Outlook on Mac (version 16.94 or later)

1. Select Sent in the folder pane.
2. Double-click the sent message to open it.
3. From the ribbon, click Recall Message , then confirm by clicking OK.
4. You will get a recall status report via email

For Outlook on the Web (business/school accounts)

• Open Sent Items , double-click the message.
• Select Recall Message from the ribbon and confirm.
• A recall report will be sent to your inbox

Note: Recall is not available for Outlook.com (personal accounts like @outlook.com, @hotmail.com) or for messages sent to non-Exchange accounts

For Outlook on Android and iOS

• Open the Sent folder.
• Select the email to recall.
• Tap the ... menu and choose Recall.
• You will receive a status email about the recall result

Important Considerations

• Both sender and recipient must have Microsoft 365 or Exchange accounts in the same organization.
• The recipient must not have read the message yet.
• Messages sent to or from Gmail, Hotmail, or other non-Exchange accounts cannot be recalled.
• Recall is not available for emails protected by Azure Information Protection.
• You cannot recall messages from Outlook on the web for personal accounts

If you use Outlook.com (personal accounts), you cannot recall a sent message, but you can enable "Undo Send" to delay sending by 5-10 seconds, allowing you to cancel sending shortly after hitting send

. This recall feature helps retract or replace emails sent in error, but its success depends on the recipient's email environment and whether the message has been read