Gmail gives you a short window to pull back an email right after you send it, which can save you from a wrong recipient, a missing attachment, or a typo. This works through the Undo Send feature rather than truly recalling a message.
What you'll need
- A Gmail account
Step by step
- Send your emailCompose and send as usual. A small message appears at the bottom-left on desktop, or the bottom of the screen in the mobile app, saying the email was sent.
- Look for the Undo optionNext to the Message sent confirmation you will see an Undo link. This only stays visible for a few seconds, so act quickly.
- Tap or click UndoSelect Undo before the notice disappears. Gmail stops the delivery and reopens your email as a draft so you can fix or discard it.
- Extend the cancellation windowOn desktop, open Settings, then See all settings, and under the General tab set the Undo Send cancellation period to as long as 30 seconds.
- Edit and resendMake your changes, correct the recipient or attachment, then send again when you are ready.
Handy tips
- Set the cancellation period to 30 seconds on desktop to give yourself the most time to catch mistakes.
- The Undo option is your only chance; once it disappears the email is delivered and cannot be recalled.
- If you often send in a hurry, pause a moment to check the recipient field before hitting send.
Heads up
- Undo Send only works during the short cancellation window. After it passes, the email is delivered and there is no way to retrieve it from the recipient's inbox.
FAQ
How long do I have to unsend a Gmail email?
By default about 5 seconds, but you can extend it to 10, 20, or 30 seconds in Settings under the General tab on desktop.
Can I unsend an email after an hour?
No. Gmail's Undo Send only works within the cancellation window right after sending. Once that passes, the message is already delivered.
Does the recipient know I unsent an email?
No. If you undo within the window, the email never reaches them, so there is nothing for them to see or be notified about.