We all can remember moments we send emails to others and regret it no sooner than we send it. It feels the like end of the world when all you did was hit a single button by mistake.
The feeling is worse when the email we send is not to a friend, sibling, or spouse, but to our boss. Emails we do not want our boss to see can happen when it’s late at night or moments we feel underappreciated or overwhelmed at our job.
There’s a way to fix this mistake when you catch it. If you want to learn how to recall an email, keep reading.
Recall an Email With Gmail
If you have Gmail, there is a way you can stop the process of an email you sent. You can “undo” sending any email you send within the first few seconds. You should see “undo” on the left side of your screen.
If you catch this in time, the email is not sent at all. But the few seconds may not always be enough. How can you fix this? Refer to the following steps or look here if you want to unsend it on your Android.
1. Head to Settings
Gmail gives you the ability to extend the “undo” period of sending an email in case you make a mistake in the email or you mistakenly send it to the wrong eyes (like your boss). Go to the “Settings” option in Gmail to do this.
Of course, you need to make sure you are logged in before this. You will see the settings option by clicking on the circle tool.
2. Customize Send Cancelation Period
Gmail allows you to undo messages you send within 5 seconds (the default). It may not be enough time for you to realize you made an error that might cost you. The good news is you can customize how long you want this undo period to be.
There are 4 options you may select: 5, 10, 20, and 30 seconds. The amount of time you feel you need to recall the email will depend on you. It may be best just to set it up to 30 seconds. This will only work in your favor so you have the time you need to think.
3. Update Changes
Once you pick the appropriate time you desire, all that’s left to do is save the changes. Nothing will update if you fail to do this. Be sure to scroll all the way to the end of the page to do this. Gmail will update everything immediately.
4. Test It
Updating the changes is good and all, but you still want to test those changes just in case. You never know, right? You can test the update you did by creating and sending a test email to yourself.
Once again, you should notice a pop-up notification on the lower left side. You can count to confirm how long this alert remains. If you choose 10 seconds, it will stay for 10 seconds and this is the same for 20 and 30 seconds.
If you are using a Mac, you can found out how to recall an email here: https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-recall-email-in-gmail
Recall an Email With Microsoft Office
Gmail is a popular mailing app for businesses just as much for people who use Gmail for personal use. If your job does not use Gmail, chances are they are using Microsoft office. No worries, there is also a way to recall an email with it too.
1. Recall and Replace the Message
In Microsoft Office, you want to look at your folder options on the left side of the window. You should see a folder that says “Sent Items.” Double click it.
The email you select will then pop up. Be sure to double click, not single click as you will not be able to recall messages that appear on the reading pane without popping up.
Once you double click the message you want, hit the “Message” on the upper left-hand side of the panel. You should select “Actions” then “Recall This Message.” If you do not see the option to recall, there are a few reasons you should check to confirm.
When you are able to see “Recall This Message” proceed to click “Delete Unread Copies Of This Message.” You can also click “Delete Unread Copies and Replace With a New Message.”
You must create a new message to send if you pick the ladder. Be sure to select ok with either when you finish.
2. Check and Confirm the Recall
You can check and verify the changes you made whether you recall the original message or update it with another. You can recreate a test email, to yourself, like with Gmail to confirm what options you pick.
Prevent the Embarrassing Accentidentals
We are more prone to making mistakes when we are tired which is often the case for those who write early in the morning or late at night. We can also make mistakes when we let our emotions get the better of us.
The terrible emails you send to others can circulate. The email you write just to relieve your stress and delete late may go through when you click send not meaning to. Maybe you included your boss in an email with others not realizing you did.
Sometimes the email you send is not “nasty” in itself, but it is bad in the sense you potentially broke a rule. These little mistakes can lead to big consequences if your boss sees it. Thankfully, there’s a way to recall an email you did not mean to send with Gmail and Outlook. You can save yourself from a heart attack.
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