As a graphic designer, I have always been meticulous about my work - from layout to colors to typography. However, there are times when even the most careful of us make mistakes. One of those mistakes is sending an email to the wrong person, or worse, sending an email that we wish we never sent. Fortunately, Gmail has a feature that can save us from these embarrassing situations - the ability to recall an email. In this article, I will share with you the different ways on how to recall an email in Gmail.
Before we dive into the different methods, it's important to note that the recall feature in Gmail is not foolproof. It's not a guarantee that the recipient will not see the email. The recall feature only works if the recipient hasn't opened the email yet. If the recipient has already opened the email, then the recall feature will not work. With that said, let's proceed to the different methods on how to recall an email in Gmail.
Method 1: Using the "Undo Send" Feature
Gmail has a built-in feature called "Undo Send" that allows you to cancel the sending of an email. This feature is enabled by default in Gmail, but you can change the settings to adjust the cancellation period. Here's how to use the "Undo Send" feature:
Step 1: Compose your email
Compose your email as you would normally do. Make sure to double-check the recipient's email address and the content of the email before sending.
Step 2: Click on "Send"
After composing your email, click on the "Send" button. This will send your email to the recipient.
Step 3: Click on "Undo"
Once you clicked on "Send," a notification will appear at the bottom of the screen that says "Your message has been sent." Immediately after that notification, you will see an option to "Undo." Click on "Undo" to cancel the sending of the email.
Method 2: Using the "Recall This Message" Feature in Outlook
If you're using Outlook to access your Gmail account, you can use the "Recall This Message" feature to recall an email. Here's how to use the "Recall This Message" feature:
Step 1: Open the Sent Items Folder
Open the "Sent Items" folder in Outlook.
Step 2: Open the Email you Want to Recall
Open the email that you want to recall.
Step 3: Click on "Recall This Message"
Click on the "Actions" button in the toolbar, then select "Recall This Message."
Method 3: Using a Third-Party Email Tracker
Another way to recall an email is to use a third-party email tracker. These email trackers allow you to track and recall your emails. Some of the popular email trackers are Boomerang, HubSpot, and Yesware. Here's how to use Boomerang to recall an email:
Step 1: Install Boomerang
Install the Boomerang plugin for Gmail. Boomerang is available for both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Step 2: Compose your Email
Compose your email as you would normally do. Boomerang will add a "Send Later" button next to the "Send" button.
Step 3: Click on "Send Later"
Click on the "Send Later" button, then select "Boomerang this message."
Step 4: Choose the Time and Date
Choose the time and date when you want to send the email. You can also choose to send the email immediately and set a reminder to follow up.
Step 5: Recall the Email
If you want to recall the email, go to your "Sent" folder, then click on the Boomerang icon next to the email that you want to recall. Select "Cancel sending" to recall the email.
Method 4: Contact the Recipient Directly
If all else fails, you can contact the recipient directly and ask them to delete the email. This method is not guaranteed to work, but it's worth a try. Here are some tips on how to approach the recipient:
Step 1: Be Honest
Explain to the recipient that you made a mistake and sent the email to the wrong person or that you wish you never sent the email.
Step 2: Apologize
Apologize for any inconvenience or confusion that the email may have caused.
Step 3: Ask Nicely
Ask the recipient nicely if they can delete the email. Provide them with the subject line and the date and time that you sent the email.
Recalling an email in Gmail is not a perfect science, but it's worth a try if you want to avoid an embarrassing situation. Whether you use the built-in "Undo Send" feature, the "Recall This Message" feature in Outlook, a third-party email tracker, or contact the recipient directly, always remember to double-check your emails before sending them. Prevention is always better than cure.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
| Using the "Undo Send" Feature | Easy to use, built-in feature | Only works if the recipient hasn't opened the email yet |
| Using the "Recall This Message" Feature in Outlook | Works even if the recipient has opened the email | Only works if you're using Outlook to access your Gmail account |
| Using a Third-Party Email Tracker | Allows you to track and recall your emails | Requires you to install a plugin |
| Contact the Recipient Directly | Allows you to explain the situation directly to the recipient | Not guaranteed to work |