Microsoft 365 Help Try to recall a sent email
Request removal of an eligible sent message, then check whether the request succeeded.
Before you start
- Find the exact sent message and identify the account you sent it from.
- Be ready to send a correction or notify the office if recall cannot fix the problem.
Choose the option that matches your screen or the task you want to do.
New Outlook
-
Find the original message
In the left folder list select Sent Items under the account you sent from. Locate the exact message; check subject, recipients and time.
-
Open it in its own window
Double-click the sent message. A single click that only previews it in the reading pane may not expose all message actions.
-
Choose Recall Message
On the message’s top command bar or ribbon, choose Recall Message. If space is limited, look under the … menu.
-
Confirm the recall
Read the confirmation, then select OK. This submits a request; it does not confirm removal from every recipient.
-
Open the report email
Return to Inbox and look for Message Recall Report. Open it and follow the report link, signing in with your own work account if requested.
-
Read each recipient’s result
Check Succeeded, Pending or Failed for each recipient. If you sent to several people, one person’s success does not mean everyone’s copy was removed.
-
Send a correction if appropriate
Prepare a corrected message separately if needed. Re-check recipients, subject and attachment before selecting Send, and tell the office if the original involved sensitive information.
Classic Outlook
-
Open your Sent Items
Select the sending account’s Sent Items folder, then find the message you need to retract.
-
Double-click the message
Open it in a separate window. The reading-pane preview is not sufficient for the classic recall controls.
-
Find the recall command
On Message, use Move > Actions or More Move Actions > Recall This Message. With a simplified ribbon, use Message > … > Actions > Recall This Message.
-
Choose the action
Choose Delete unread copies of this message to request removal. The old dialog uses “unread” wording even where modern cloud recall is governed by newer company settings.
-
Confirm
Select OK. If you deliberately choose the replacement option instead, complete and send the replacement message; replacing is a separate delivery.
-
Check the recall report
Open the Message Recall Report arriving in Inbox and follow its link. Check the result for every recipient before deciding what action to take next.
You have finished when…
- When you can open the report, check the result for each recipient. A pending request is still being processed.
Helpful tips
- If an incorrect message contains sensitive information or went to the wrong person, tell the office promptly even when you requested a recall.
- Deleting your Sent Items copy only removes your copy; it does not recall the recipient’s message.
- A failed or partial recall may need a clear correction email. Confirm corrected recipients and attachments before resending.
Something looks different?
Recall is missing or disabled
Make sure you opened your own sent message, not a received copy or draft. Update the app, try Outlook on the web, or ask the office to check availability.
The report says Pending
Give it time and check the report again. Microsoft can retry recalls for up to 24 hours; do not assume the message has been removed.
The report says Failed
The account, recipient, message age or organisation settings may prevent recall. Use an appropriate correction and contact the office where necessary.
Microsoft help & further guidance
Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.