Recalling an email in Microsoft Outlook will enable you to try to get back a sent message, but only if specific conditions are met. Here is how to do it:
Conditions to Recall an Email
You and the recipient both must be using Microsoft Outlook with an Exchange or Microsoft 365 account.
The email has not been read by the recipient from their inbox.
The recipient's email settings allow recalls, for example, it has not been moved to another folder by a rule.
Steps to Recall an Email in Outlook
Launch the Outlook Application: Open the Outlook application on your computer.
Find the Email to be Recalled: Identify the email to be recalled from the Sent Items folder.
Open the Email
Click the email twice to open it. It cannot be recalled through the Reading Pane.
Recall Option Selection:
Navigate to the Message tab of the toolbar.
Click Actions (or the dropdown arrow in some versions), then select Recall This Message.
Select Recall Options:
Select Delete unread copies of this message if you want to delete the email entirely.
Or, select Delete unread copies and replace with a new message to replace the original email with an updated one.
Optionally, check the box for Tell me if recall succeeds or fails for each recipient to receive a notification.
Confirm:
Click OK to begin the recall.
Result of the Recall
Successful Recall: The message is deleted or overwritten if it satisfies all the criteria above.
Unsuccessful Recall: The email cannot be retrieved if:
The recipient has already opened it.
The recipient uses an email client that doesn't support recalls.
Rules or filters moved the email to another folder.
Additional Tips:
Alternative Action: If the recall does not work, send a follow-up email with an apology or clarification of the original message.
Avoid Mistakes Next Time: Utilize the Outlook feature of Delay Delivery to compose your emails in advance, thus providing time to review for mistakes before sending it out.
