Have you ever regretted sending an email? Whether it’s due to a wrong address or an embarrassing typo, everyone has experienced email blunders. Fortunately, there’s a way to recall those sent emails. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of recalling an email in Gmail, as well as how to extend the email cancellation period to avoid any future mishaps.
Let’s get started:
Requirements for Recalling an Email in Gmail
To successfully recall an email in Gmail, here are the essential requirements:
- Submit the recall command within the specified cancellation period.
- The message sent pop-up must remain open.
Closing the message sent pop-up will prevent you from recalling an email, even if the cancellation period has not yet expired.
Steps to Recall an Email in Gmail
Follow these simple steps to recall a sent email:
Step 1
Log in to your Gmail account and click on ‘Compose’ to start writing your email.
Step 2
Write your email and click the ‘Send’ button.
Step 3
A message sent pop-up will appear at the bottom left corner of your screen.
Step 4
Quickly click the ‘Undo’ button as soon as the message sent pop-up appears. The process will begin immediately.
In just a few moments, you will see a notification that the sending process has been undone. The unsent email will then be saved in your Drafts folder, allowing you to make corrections and resend it.
This process applies when using Gmail through a web browser. If you’re using the Gmail app on an Android or iOS device, the same steps will apply for recalling an email.
Understanding the Gmail Send Cancellation Period
The send cancellation period in Gmail is the timeframe you have to recall an email. By default, Gmail allows a five-second window to perform this action. If you exceed this time, recalling the email will not be possible.
However, you can modify the default send cancellation period, extending it up to 30 seconds.
How to Change the Gmail Send Cancellation Period
To increase the cancellation period, log in to your Gmail account via a web browser, as this cannot be done through the mobile app.
Here’s how to change the Gmail send cancellation period:
Step 1
Click on the Gmail Settings icon in the upper right corner, then navigate to ‘See All Settings.’
Step 2
In the General settings menu, locate the ‘Undo send’ section where you can choose a cancellation period of 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds for sent emails.
Step 3
After selecting your preferred duration from the drop-down menu, scroll down and click ‘Save Changes.’
You have successfully adjusted the cancellation period, which will apply to the Gmail app on both Android and iOS.
Can you set a cancellation period of more than 30 seconds? Yes, that is achievable.
With the use of certain third-party tools, you can recall emails even after 30 seconds. Next, we will explore some alternatives for recalling emails in Gmail.
Alternatives for Recalling Emails in Gmail
If you prefer not to use Gmail’s built-in undo send feature, several alternatives are available:
Pointofmail
The Pointofmail Chrome extension provides users with advanced features, including the ability to disable forwarding, send self-destructing emails, and change the contents of already-sent messages.
Virtru
Virtru offers extensive email encryption and access controls, enabling you to revoke access to any sent email, thus preventing recipients from opening it.
Digify for Gmail
While Digify helps you unsend incorrectly attached documents, it’s primarily designed for protecting, tracking, and controlling important documents after being sent.
These tools can extend your email cancellation period. However, remember that if you attempt to recall an email after several minutes or hours, the recipient may have already read it.
Thus, it’s advisable to recall emails as swiftly as possible to reduce the risk of them being seen.
Troubleshooting Gmail Email Recall Issues
If your Gmail email recall fails, it could be due to a lost internet connection right after clicking the ‘Undo’ button.
Is Email Recall Consistent Across Platforms?
Yes, the process for recalling emails is consistent across both the Gmail website and the app. You will have the same period to click the undo button, regardless of the platform.
Will the Recipient Be Informed if I Recall an Email?
No, recipients will not be notified if you successfully recall an email using Gmail’s undo feature, as the reverted email is never delivered to their inbox.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to effectively recall an email in Gmail, take advantage of this valuable feature whenever needed. We also recommend setting the cancellation period to 30 seconds for added security against accidental sends.
