How to Unsend a Sent Email on Gmail? | Learn How to Unsend Email on Desktop and Phone

Have you ever sent an email only to realise, a few minutes later, that you forgot to add something, or maybe it was just not what you wanted to say?

If so, you’re not alone. It happens to all of us. It’s just that we often don’t know how to fix these mistakes. But there is hope! The good news is that if you use Gmail, you can unsend an email you have sent. The Undo option in Google allows you to do this!

So how do you use it? Let’s understand this.

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How to Unsend an Email in Gmail on a Computer?

You’re not alone in accidentally sending an email you didn’t mean to send. We’ve all been there. But now, you can use the unsend feature in Gmail to undo sending the email. You can use it on both mobile and desktop versions of Gmail.

After clicking Send on your email, follow these instructions to undo sending it from a desktop browser:

Step 1: At the bottom of the page, you will see a pop-up containing your message. A View Message option and an Undo Send button are also available.

Step 2: To correct your mistake, click the Undo button in the pop-up and cancel the email.

How to Unsend an Email in Gmail on a Mobile Device?

If you send an email in Gmail from the mobile app, within 5 seconds of hitting send, Google allows you to undo it. Unfortunately, there’s no way to increase the time delay; you must undo your email within the default time limit of 5 seconds.

Here are the steps to unsend an email from Gmail on a mobile device:

Step 1: When sending an email via Gmail from an Android or iOS phone, a pop-up bar displays on the lower portion of the screen right away. 

Step 2: You will find the Undo option on the right side of this bar. On the left, it says that your email has been sent. To go back and edit an email you’ve already sent, click Undo.

Step 3: When you click Undo, this feature starts remembering your email and displays “Undoing” on the pop-up bar. 

Step 4: Gmail returns you to compose so you can create a new email.

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How To Change the Amount of Time Allowed To Undo a Sent Email?

Google offers an undo tool to recover a sent email if you use Gmail. The Undo Send feature is automatically enabled on every Gmail account and set to five seconds. That implies that to be able to undo emails, no settings need to be changed.�

However, you may alter the time window to retrieve emails from your Gmail account. The new Undo Send time restriction options are 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds.

Listed Below Are the Ways You Can Change Your Undo Send Timeframe Settings:

1. Go to your Gmail account and log in

First, ensure your inbox is completely visible and you are logged into your Gmail account.

2. Select Settings

The Settings icon will appear in your email’s upper right corner. Click it and select the “See All Settings” button. 

3. Find Undo Send

When you first enter Settings, you will see many options in the General tab. You can set a cancellation period of 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds by choosing an option from the Undo Send drop-down box.

4. Click on Save Changes

After you’ve selected your Undo Send window, save your changes at the bottom of the General Settings menu.

5. Evaluate your Changes

When you’re ready to send your email, it’s a good idea to first compose one to test the feature. This way, you can ensure it works properly before sending a more significant message.

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FAQs on How to Unsend a Sent Email on Gmail

Below are some frequently asked questions about how to unsend an email sent through Gmail:

What is the time limit for recalling a message in Gmail?

Gmail offers 5 to 30 seconds after sending an email. You’ll have time to review your message for errors when you use this function. 

Can you unsend an email sent to your desktop or mobile phone?

Yes. Recalling an email on the Gmail app for mobile is much the same as recalling it on a desktop or laptop.

  • Send an email as usual by logging in to the Gmail mobile app.
  • Find “Sent” at the bottom of your screen.
  • Click Undo on that box’s right-hand side.
  • You will be taken back to the email draft, you just recalled after clicking Undo.

Can I remove an email from Gmail that I sent to everyone?

Yes, you can permanently delete an email from your inbox. If you cancel the send during your grace period, the message will not be sent to anyone.

Can I unsend an email after an hour in Gmail?

Unfortunately, once you send an email in Gmail, you cannot recall it. You can only unsend it within thirty seconds of sending it. 

What are the disadvantages and risks of unsending emails in Gmail?

The major disadvantage/risk of recalling emails in Gmail is that using this feature can make you less diligent about checking your emails for problems before sending them. 

To avoid this, you must carefully proofread each email�the body, attachments, and recipient list. 

The Gmail unsend option makes it possible to recall an email you have sent, whether you accidentally clicked the wrong button or created a message in haste. You don’t need to worry about sending an email by mistake; instead, you can rely on this functionality and quickly unsend a message. And although you won’t use it every time you send an email, it’s always good to know it’s there!

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