How to unsend an email in Gmail

Hitting “Send” too fast happens to everyone. Whether it’s the wrong attachment, a missing link, or a reply you instantly regret, Gmail’s Undo Send feature gives you a short but critical window to take it back.

We’ll walk you through exactly how to unsend an email in Gmail on desktop and mobile, how to adjust your Undo Send time, and what actually happens when you use it. We’ll also explain why Gmail’s “unsend” works differently from Outlook’s recall feature — and how to avoid needing it in the first place.

How to unsend an email in Gmail (desktop)

When you send an email from your computer, Gmail gives you a brief chance to cancel it before it officially leaves your outbox.

Here’s how to recall an email in Gmail from desktop:

1. Send your email

Write and send as normal by clicking Send.

2. Look for the “Message sent” popup

You’ll see this appear in the bottom-left corner of your Gmail window, along with two options: View message and Undo.

The Undo option appears only for a few seconds, depending on your chosen time delay (you can set this up to 30 seconds — more on that below). After that, the email is gone for good.

3. Click “Undo”

Your message will reopen in the compose window. You can now make edits, add recipients, or delete it entirely.

4. Send again when ready.

Once you’re satisfied, click Send again — or close the window to save it as a draft.

How to unsend an email in Gmail (mobile app)

The Gmail app for iOS and Android offers the same feature — just in a slightly different layout.

To unsend an email on the Gmail app:

1. Write and Send your message as usual

Compose your message, then tap Send, as you normally would.

2. Tap Undo in the pop-up message

The message immediately reopens in draft mode.

The Undo banner typically appears for five to thirty seconds, depending on your settings. On iOS, it fades in from the bottom of the screen; on Android, it appears above the navigation bar — but both behave the same way.

3. Edit or delete the email

Make your changes or discard the email altogether.

4. Resend if needed.

Once edited, hit Send again.

How to change the Undo Send time in Gmail

If you’ve ever wished you had just a few more seconds to stop an email, this setting is your friend. You can extend Gmail’s cancellation window up to 30 seconds.

Here’s how to adjust it:

1. Click the Settings icon in Gmail

Click the Settings ⚙️ icon in the top-right corner of your Gmail inbox — it looks like a small gear.

2. Select See all settings

Select See all settings from the quick settings panel to open Gmail’s full settings menu. This is where you’ll find detailed options for features like Undo Send, signatures, filters, and inbox layout.

3. Under the General tab, find Undo Send

Under the General tab, scroll until you find Undo Send — this is where you can control how long Gmail waits before sending your email. Use the dropdown menu to select a cancellation period of 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds, depending on how much buffer time you want.

4. Scroll down and click Save Changes

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Changes to apply your new settings. Gmail will reload automatically, and your updated Undo Send time will take effect right away.

How to recall emails in Gmail for business accounts

For Google Workspace users (business or school accounts), the same Undo Send feature applies — but your administrator can set a default send delay across the organization.

This is useful for teams that handle sensitive information or deal with clients, where an accidental email can have larger consequences. If you’re unsure whether your company has this feature enabled, check with your IT or Workspace admin.

How Gmail’s Undo Send feature works

When you “unsend” an email, Gmail isn’t technically pulling it back from the recipient’s inbox. It’s delaying the send.

Here’s what’s really happening behind the scenes:

• Gmail holds your message in a temporary outbox for the length of your Undo Send period.
• If you hit Undo, Gmail stops the send and reopens your message as a draft.
• If you don’t click Undo within your chosen time window, Gmail sends the message as normal.

Once that time expires, there’s no way to recall it — even Google can’t retract an already-delivered email.

So while Gmail calls it Undo Send, it’s essentially a controlled delay rather than a recall feature like Microsoft Outlook’s.

Troubleshooting Undo Send in Gmail

If your “Undo” button isn’t showing up, check these settings:

• Undo Send may be disabled: Go to Settings → General → Undo Send and make sure it’s turned on.
• Using third-party email clients: Apps like Apple Mail or Outlook may not support Gmail’s native Undo feature.
• Slow internet connection: If your message sends instantly before Gmail can apply the delay, recheck your connection or increase the cancellation period.

If you’re working across multiple inboxes, remember that each Gmail account has its own Undo Send setting. You’ll need to enable it for every address you manage.

Tips for sending emails (so you won’t have to undo)

Even the best tools can’t replace good habits. Here are a few ways to avoid the panic of hitting “Undo” in the first place.

• Keep Undo Send enabled — always: This feature is built in and costs nothing. Leaving it on gives you a built-in safety net every time you hit send.
• Double-check before clicking Send: Confirm recipients, attachments, and links — especially in professional emails. A Grammarly study found that 93% of email users admit to “committing an email faux pas,” like typos, grammar mistakes, or sending incomplete emails, so you’re not alone!
• Use “Schedule send”: Instead of sending immediately, click the dropdown arrow next to Send and choose Schedule send. You can pick a date and time — perfect for messages that need a second look later.
• Write first, review later: If you’re drafting something sensitive, save it as a draft and revisit it with fresh eyes. The extra few minutes often catch what haste might miss.
• Consider confidential mode: For sensitive information, Gmail’s Confidential mode lets you set expiration dates and restrict forwarding, copying, or downloading — an extra layer of control beyond Undo Send.

Undo send in Gmail FAQs

Can I unsend an email after 30 seconds?

No. Once Gmail’s cancellation period ends, the email is sent permanently. You can’t recall or delete it from the recipient’s inbox.

If you realize too late that you made a mistake, your best move is to send a polite follow-up or correction. Transparency and quick correction maintain credibility far better than silence.

Does Undo Send work on the Gmail app?

Yes — both the iOS and Android versions of Gmail include the Undo Send feature. After you tap Send, look for the Undo option that appears briefly at the bottom of your screen. Tap it quickly to pull the message back into draft mode for editing or deletion. The timing is short, so make a habit of checking that bar after sending important emails.

Can I unsend an email once it’s been read?

No — once an email is delivered and opened, Gmail can’t retract it. Undo Send only delays the message before it officially leaves your outbox. If the recipient has already seen it, your best move is to send a clear correction or follow-up message. It’s the simplest way to maintain professionalism and clarity.

What’s the difference between Gmail’s Undo Send and Outlook’s Recall?

Gmail’s Undo Send gives you a set time delay — up to 30 seconds — to stop an outgoing message. Outlook’s Recall feature attempts to remove or replace a sent email, but it only works in specific circumstances, such as when both users are on the same Microsoft Exchange server and the message hasn’t been read. In practice, Gmail’s version is simpler, faster, and far more predictable.

How can I confirm if my Undo Send worked?

If your email reopens in the compose window, your Undo was successful — the message never left Gmail’s outbox. You can make changes, delete it, or save it as a draft. If nothing happens and you don’t see the message reopen, the email has already been sent. In that case, follow up promptly if you need to clarify or correct anything.