We have all had that moment where we hit send on an email and instantly regret it. Maybe you forgot to attach a file sent it to the wrong person or spotted a mistake after it was already gone. In Outlook on Windows there is a built-in feature to recall a message under certain conditions. However if you are using Outlook on a MacBook the process is slightly different and more limited.
This guide explains what you can and cannot do when it comes to recalling or undoing sent emails using Outlook on a Mac. It also covers helpful alternatives you can use to prevent email mishaps in future.
Does Outlook for Mac Support Email Recall?
Outlook for Mac does not support the traditional email recall feature found in Outlook for Windows. On Windows recall works only in very specific conditions. Both sender and recipient must be using Microsoft Exchange on the same organisation network and the message must still be unread. Even then it is not always reliable.
Unfortunately Outlook for Mac does not include this recall function. However there are other tools you can use to avoid sending mistakes or to delay sending in case you change your mind.
Use Undo Send in Outlook for Mac
Outlook for Mac includes a useful Undo Send feature which gives you a short window of time to cancel a message after clicking send. This is not the same as recalling a sent message but it can be just as effective if used properly.
To enable or adjust this feature open Outlook Settings and click on Composing. You will see an option labelled Undo Send with a time slider that lets you choose between 5 and 10 seconds. Once this is set every time you send an email you will see an Undo button at the bottom left of the screen which you can click to stop the message before it actually leaves.
This gives you a valuable chance to correct a mistake immediately after sending.
Delay Email Delivery in Outlook for Mac
Another method to reduce the risk of sending errors is to schedule or delay your emails. Instead of sending immediately you can give yourself a safety buffer.
When composing an email click the arrow next to the Send button then select Send Later. You can choose a specific time and date to send the message. This feature works well if you want to give yourself time to review the email or if you need it to land in someone’s inbox at a more appropriate hour.
By delaying delivery you allow yourself extra time to change your mind and revise the content before it is actually sent.
Use Drafts to Your Advantage
If your email is important or complex consider saving it as a draft and reviewing it later before sending. This is a manual but effective approach to avoiding common email errors.
In Outlook for Mac any email you start but do not send is automatically saved in the Drafts folder. You can revisit it check the details then send it once you are completely confident it is correct.
Check Before Sending
While this may sound obvious checking over your email before clicking send is your best defence. Use the Review tab in Outlook to check spelling and grammar and make sure all attachments are included.
If you often send emails in a hurry setting a habit of pausing before sending or writing messages in advance can help avoid the need for recalls altogether.
Final Thoughts
Although you cannot recall an email once it has been sent in Outlook on a MacBook there are several useful tools built in to reduce mistakes. Undo Send gives you a short buffer to act quickly while Send Later allows you to delay delivery. Combined with careful checking and use of drafts these features can give you greater control and confidence when sending emails.