Mistakes can happen — even in email. Luckily, Microsoft Outlook lets you recall those unintended messages.

Are you ready to regain control of your inbox? We'll walk you through the steps, time limits, and scenarios for successfully recalling emails.

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What's the difference between Outlook and Outlook 365?

Microsoft 365 packages usually include Microsoft Outlook. However, it's important to know that Microsoft 365 has many other applications and services available besides Outlook. Some Microsoft 365 plans even provide full access to the Microsoft Office suite, which includes Outlook.

How to recall an email on Outlook

1. Open the email you want to recall from the "Sent Items" folder.
2. Go to the "Message" tab and click on "Actions."
3. Choose "Recall This Message."
4. Decide whether you want to delete unread copies or replace them.

How to recall an email on Outlook 365

The process is the same as recalling an email on regular Outlook. Outlook 365 includes this feature.

What's the time limit to recall an email on Outlook?

The default time limit to recall an email is 2 minutes after sending. After that, the success of the recall depends on various factors, like whether the recipient has read the email.

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How to recall an email on Outlook on Mac

1. Open the email in your "Sent Items" folder.
2. Click "Message" and then "Recall This Message."
3. Follow the prompts to complete the recall.

How to recall an email in Outlook desktop

The process is similar to recalling an email in regular Outlook. Open the email from the "Sent Items" folder, go to the "Message" tab, click "Actions," and select "Recall This Message."

How to recall an email in Outlook on an iPhone

Unfortunately, you can't unsend an Outlook email on iPhone yet. We recommend drafting important emails on web or desktop to avoid this issue. Another tip is to remove the email address until you have finished reading through and approving your email.  

How to delete an email in Outlook

1. Open Microsoft Outlook and go to your inbox.
2. Locate the email you want to delete.
3. Select the email by clicking on its checkbox or by clicking on the email itself.
4. With the email selected, press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
5. Alternatively, you can click on the "Delete" icon (usually represented by a trash bin icon) on the toolbar.

The email will be moved to your "Deleted Items" folder. Remember that emails in the "Deleted Items" folder aren't permanently deleted until you empty the folder or take specific actions to permanently remove them.

How to permanently delete an email in Outlook

1. Open Microsoft Outlook and go to your inbox or the folder where the email is located.
2. Locate the email you want to permanently delete.
3. Select the email by clicking on its checkbox or by clicking on the email itself.
4. With the email selected, press the "Shift" and "Delete" keys on your keyboard simultaneously.
5. Alternatively, you can right-click on the selected email and choose "Delete."

A confirmation message will appear, letting you know that the email will be permanently deleted. Once you confirm, the email will be immediately removed from your mailbox and cannot be recovered.

Be cautious when using this method, as there's no way to undo the permanent deletion. Make sure you've selected the correct email first.

In conclusion

Rectify email mishaps and maybe even save the day by recalling messages in Microsoft Outlook.

Remember that while Outlook offers this feature, its success isn't guaranteed, so double-check your emails before hitting send whenever possible.

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