- Gmail offers the option to undo sending emails for a limited time.
- The cancellation time can be set between 5 and 30 seconds in the settings.
- It is a useful feature to correct errors before the recipient receives the email.
- Other services such as Outlook also allow you to recover emails under certain conditions.
Sending an email by mistake This can be a tricky situation, especially if the message contained incorrect information or was addressed to the wrong person. Fortunately, there is a ''Undo Send' in Gmail, a simple solution that can save us a lot of problems.
This function allows you to cancel the sending of a gmail mail for a limited time. If you want to know more about how to activate and configure it, this article will be very interesting for you. In it, you will we explain how it works and what happens when the cancellation time has passed, among other things.
How does the 'Undo Send' option work in Gmail?
The 'Undo Send' feature in Gmail doesn't actually undo the sending of an email as if it never happened. What it actually does is delay shipping for a certain time. This means that when we press the send button, The message is not sent immediately, but is put on hold for a while. a few seconds before leaving permanently.
If within that time we notice an error, we can click on 'Undo' and the message will return to the drafts tray, where we can correct or delete it. Broadly speaking, it is a system similar to the one used for undo sending a message on WhatsApp.
How to enable and configure 'Undo Send' in Gmail
By default, the Undo Send feature in Gmail is disabled. This means that if you want to use it, you must activate and configure it through the settings menu. To do so, follow these steps:
- To get started, open Gmail in your computer's browser.
- Then click on the icon Configuration (the one with the gear, located at the top right).
- Then select 'View all settings'.
- Inside the tab 'General', look for the option 'Undo Send'.
- Select the cancellation time between 5, 10, 20 or 30 secondsIt's recommended to choose 30 seconds to give yourself a larger margin.
- Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and press 'Save Changes'.
And that's it! Now, every time you send an email, you'll see a small notification at the top of your screen. lower left with the option 'Undo'.
How to undo sending an email in Gmail
Once you've set up this feature, the process to unsend an email is very simple:
- After pressing 'To send', will appear in the part lower left from the screen a notification with the option 'Undo'.
- If you click this button before the cancellation time expires, the message will return to the drafts folder.
- If you don't press 'Undo' before the time runs out, the message will be sent final.
Can I undo sending in the Gmail mobile app?
The 'Undo Send' feature in Gmail is also available on the mobile app for Android and to iPhone. Its operation is exactly the same as in the web version.
When you send an email from the app, you'll see a pop-up notification with the undo option at the bottom of the screen. Tapping 'Undo' will restore the email and return it to your drafts folder for editing or deletion.
What happens if the cancellation period has expired?
That's the big question all users ask when it comes to the "Undo" function in Gmail. The answer is clear: If the cancellation time has expired, There is no way to delete or recover the emailOnce an email has left Gmail's servers, it's no longer possible to cancel it or delete it from the recipient's inbox. Bad luck.
In these cases, if you have made a serious mistake in the email, the only viable option is send a new message with the necessary corrections, explaining the situation to the recipient. It's not exactly the best solution, but there's no other option.
Alternatives to other email services
Gmail isn't the only service that offers an option to recall sent emails, although they work differently:
- Outlook: It has a recall feature, but it only works if the recipient uses Outlook within the same organization and if the email hasn't been opened. If you want to learn how to delete a sent email in Outlook, We have useful information about it.
- Apple Mail: Since 2022, Apple Mail allows you to undo sends for a configurable time of up to 30 seconds.
- YahooMail: It does not offer a function to unsubscribe from sending emails.
The 'Undo Send' option in Gmail is an extremely useful tool that allows you to correct errors before an email reaches its recipient. Setting it up properly will help youavoid awkward moments and make sure your messages are correct before sending them. Increasing the unsubscribe time to 30 seconds is a smart move if you're working with important emails.
Editor specialized in technology and internet issues with more than ten years of experience in different digital media. I have worked as an editor and content creator for e-commerce, communication, online marketing and advertising companies. I have also written on economics, finance and other sectors websites. My work is also my passion. Now, through my articles in Tecnobits, I try to explore all the news and new opportunities that the world of technology offers us every day to improve our lives.