Microsoft 365 Help / Staff guides
Outlook Mobile Device App

Try to recall a sent email

Use the Recall action in the Outlook mobile app when available and check the confirmation report.

About 5 minutes Follow at your own pace

Before you start

  • The Outlook mobile app is up to date and you are using your Microsoft 365 work mailbox.
  • You know which message and sending account need attention.

Follow these steps

0 of 6 steps done

  1. Choose the sending account

    Tap your profile picture or initials and select the work account used to send the email. This matters if personal and work accounts are both on the phone.

  2. Open Sent

    In the folder list, tap Sent or Sent Items. Find the exact message and tap it to open the full email.

  3. Open the message menu

    Tap the three dots (…) at the top right of the opened message. Use the message menu, not the phone’s browser menu.

  4. Tap Recall

    Select Recall. Confirm the request if a confirmation appears. If Recall is absent, update Outlook or try the web guide; it may also be unavailable for that mailbox or message.

  5. Watch for the report

    Return to the work Inbox. Open the recall-result email or Message Recall Report when it arrives. Follow its report link if provided.

  6. Check the outcome

    Read the result for each recipient. Pending means you must check again. If it failed, arrange a correction or speak to the office instead of assuming the email has vanished.

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.

Next guide in this sectionArchive email and find it again