Have you ever sent an email and immediately wished you could take it back? Whether it’s a typo, a forgotten attachment, or an email sent to the wrong person, we’ve all been there. Fortunately, if you’re using Outlook on a Mac, you can recall that email and save yourself from potential embarrassment or misunderstandings. In just a few simple steps, you can retract that email and breathe a sigh of relief.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Recall an Email in Outlook for Mac
Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand what we’re trying to achieve here. Recalling an email in Outlook for Mac means that you’re attempting to remove an email from the recipient’s inbox if they haven’t yet read it. It’s a handy feature, but it does have some limitations and requirements that we’ll cover later.
Step 1: Open Sent Items Folder
The first thing you need to do is go to your Sent Items folder in Outlook.
This is where all your sent emails are stored. Find the email you want to recall and double-click to open it.
Step 2: Click on Message Tab
Once you’ve opened the email, click on the Message tab at the top of the email window.
This will display all the options related to that particular email, including the recall feature.
Step 3: Select Actions, then Recall This Message…
Under the Message tab, look for the Actions button. Click on it, and you’ll see a drop-down menu. From here, select "Recall This Message…"
This option will only be available if your email server supports the recall feature and if the recipient hasn’t read the email yet.
Step 4: Choose Recall Options
After clicking on "Recall This Message…", a dialog box will pop up giving you two options: "Delete unread copies of this message" or "Delete unread copies and replace with a new message." Choose the option that best suits your needs.
If you choose to replace the message, you’ll be prompted to write a new email to send in place of the original.
Step 5: Click OK
Once you’ve made your selection, click OK to confirm the recall of your email.
After clicking OK, Outlook will attempt to recall the email. Whether or not the recall is successful will depend on several factors, which we’ll discuss in the tips section.
After completing the action, Outlook will attempt to recall your email from the recipients’ inboxes. If the recall is successful, the recipients will never know that you sent the original email. If it’s not successful, you might receive a notification, or the email might just remain in their inbox. It’s important to act quickly after sending an email you wish to recall, as the longer you wait, the less likely the recall will work.
Tips for Recalling an Email in Outlook for Mac
- Tip 1: Act fast. The sooner you attempt to recall an email, the better your chances of success.
- Tip 2: Ensure that both you and your recipient are using an Exchange server. The recall feature won’t work if the recipient’s email server doesn’t support it.
- Tip 3: The recipient must not have read the email yet. Once the email is opened, it cannot be recalled.
- Tip 4: If you’re recalling a message to edit it, consider copying the original text before you start the recall process, just in case it doesn’t work.
- Tip 5: Familiarize yourself with your organization’s email policies. Some companies may have restrictions on recalling emails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recall an email sent to someone outside my organization?
No, the recall feature only works for recipients within the same Exchange server.
What happens if the recipient has already read the email?
Unfortunately, if the recipient has opened the email, it cannot be recalled.
Will the recipient know that I attempted to recall the email?
If the recall is unsuccessful, the recipient might get a notification saying that you attempted to recall the email.
Can I recall an email from the Outlook mobile app?
No, the recall feature is only available on the desktop version of Outlook for Mac.
What should I do if I can’t recall the email?
If the recall doesn’t work, consider sending a follow-up email to explain the mistake or to provide the correct information.
Summary
- Open Sent Items and double-click the email to recall.
- Click on Message Tab.
- Select Actions, then Recall This Message…
- Choose Recall Options.
- Click OK.
Conclusion
Recalling an email in Outlook for Mac can be a lifesaver when you’ve made an error in your sent message. By following the steps outlined above, you can attempt to retract an email quickly and with ease. Remember, the key to a successful recall is speed and ensuring that your recipient has not yet read the message. As with most technology, the recall feature is not foolproof, and there are several factors that can affect its success. It’s always good practice to review your emails carefully before hitting the send button to avoid the need for a recall. However, if you do find yourself in a situation where you need to recall an email, now you have the knowledge to do so. Happy emailing, and may you never have to recall an email again! But if you do, now you’re prepared.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.