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Writer's pictureBrad Adkins

How to Unsend an Email in Gmail and Yahoo

how to unsend an email in gmail

Introduction

 

We've all been there – you hit the "send" button and immediately regret it. Whether it's a typo, incorrect recipient, or an email sent in the heat of the moment, we've all wished for a way to unsend an email. Luckily, popular email providers like Gmail and Yahoo have features that allow you to recall or unsend an email before it reaches the recipient's inbox. In this blog post, we'll provide a comprehensive guide on how to unsend an email in Gmail and Yahoo.


Why Unsend an Email?

 

There are many reasons why you might want to unsend an email. Maybe you noticed a mistake after clicking "send" or decided to rethink sending a certain email altogether. Whatever the reason may be, having an option to unsend an email can save us from potential embarrassment or consequences. Although it's not foolproof, it's always worth a shot if you have that option.


How to Unsend an Email in Gmail

 

Gmail offers an Undo Send feature that allows you to recall an email within a certain timeframe. Here's how to set it up and use it:

 

  1. Log in to your Gmail account and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner.

  2. Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.

  3. Scroll down to the "Undo Send" section and click on the checkbox next to "Enable Undo Send."

  4. Choose the cancellation period, which will determine how long you have to recall an email after sending it.

  5. Scroll down and click on "Save Changes" to enable the feature.


Steps to Unsend an Email

 

  1. After sending an email, a yellow notification will appear at the top of your screen with an "Undo" button.

  2. Click on "Undo" to stop the email from being sent.

  3. The email will now be in your Drafts folder, and you can make any necessary changes before sending it again.

 

Alternatively, you can also use the "Recall This Message" feature in Gmail to unsend an email that has already been sent. However, this feature only works for Gmail accounts within the same organization or with a Gmail account that has been set up to work with a professional email provider.

 

  1. Open your Sent folder and select the email you want to recall.

  2. Click on the three-dot menu at the top of the email and select "View Message."

  3. Click on the "More" button at the top and then click on "Recall This Message."

  4. Choose the option to either delete the email or replace it with a new one.

  5. Click on "Send Again" to correct the mistake or make any necessary changes.


How to Unsend an Email in Yahoo

 

Yahoo Mail offers a similar feature called "Cancel Send" that allows you to unsend an email within a few seconds after hitting the "send" button. Here's how to enable it and use it:

 

  1. Log in to your Yahoo Mail account and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner.

  2. Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.

  3. Go to "Writing email" and check the box next to "Enable Undo Send."

  4. Choose the cancellation period from the options provided.

  5. Click on "Save" to enable the feature.


Steps to Unsend an Email

 

  1. After sending an email, a small notification will appear at the top of your screen with an "Undo" button.

  2. Click on "Undo" to stop the email from being sent.

  3. The email will now be in your Drafts folder, where you can make any necessary changes before sending it again.

Tips for Successfully Unsending an Email

 

Unsending an email is not always a guarantee, but here are some tips to increase your chances of successfully recalling a message:

 

Acting Quickly

 

The Undo Send feature in both Gmail and Yahoo only allows a short window of time to unsend an email. Therefore, it's essential to act fast and click on the "Undo" button as soon as you realize your mistake.

 

Double-Checking Before Sending

 

To avoid situations where you need to unsend an email, it's always a good idea to proofread and double-check your message before hitting the "send" button.

 

Utilizing Other Email Features

 

If the Undo Send feature is not available or does not work, some email providers offer features such as delayed send or scheduled send, where you can set a time for the email to be sent. This way, you have time to review the email before it is sent out.


 

Conclusion

 

Unsending an email can save us from many unwanted consequences or regrets. Gmail and Yahoo provide helpful features to recall an email before it reaches the recipient's inbox. By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily unsend an email and make any necessary changes before sending it again. Remember to act quickly, double-check your emails, and utilize other helpful features to avoid the need to unsend an email in the first place.

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