While double-checking emails before sending is essential, we get that the fast-paced work environment can lead to mistakes. Thankfully, Gmail’s Undo Send feature offers a quick way to take back emails that need corrections. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you unsend emails in Gmail.
How to Unsend Emails in Gmail
You can unsend emails in Gmail using the Android and iPhone apps, as well as the web version. The process is simple, but timing is key Gmail gives you only a short window to act. Here’s how to do it:
Method 1: Unsend Emails in Gmail App on iPhone and Android
On both iPhone and Android apps, Gmail shows an “Undo” option briefly right after you send an email. You can tap this notification toast at the bottom of the screen to unsend the email instantly.
Additionally, to help ensure you’ve included everything before hitting send, enable the “Confirm before sending” option by going to Gmail Settings > General Settings > Action Confirmations.
This way, the email won’t be sent if you accidentally tap the send button. Even if you do, the confirmation prompt will make sure you’ve included everything before proceeding. This feature is especially useful on mobile, where you can’t change how long the Undo option stays visible unlike on Gmail Web.
Method 2: Unsend Emails on Gmail Website
The process on PC is quite similar. Right after you send an email, a “Message sent” notification appears at the bottom left of your screen. Simply click the Undo button in this notification to retract the email.
By default, you have five seconds to unsend an email which might not feel like enough time. The good news is you can increase this undo period up to 30 seconds, which we’ll cover next.
How to Extend the “Undo” Time in Gmail
To increase the duration the Undo option stays visible in Gmail, open Gmail on the web and follow these steps:
1. Click the cogwheel icon in the top-right corner.
2. Select See all settings.
3. In the General tab, locate the Undo Send section and open the drop-down menu.
4. Choose your preferred cancellation period select up to 30 seconds for the longest undo time.
5. Scroll to the bottom and click Save Changes. Your settings will update, and your inbox will reload.
What Happens When You Unsend Emails?
As soon as you tap Undo, the email will reopen as a draft, allowing you to make any necessary changes. Simply add the missing details or attachments and hit Send again. If you miss the chance, you can always tap or click Undo once more to edit it.
Now that you know how to unsend emails in Gmail like a pro, we still strongly recommend double-checking your messages before hitting send. Features can sometimes fail, and since emails are often professional, it’s always best to be cautious.
That wraps up this guide! If you want to cut down on email clutter and keep spam at bay, be sure to check out our detailed guide on how to block emails in Gmail. Plus, did you know you can use Gmail’s AI tools to help write your emails? If not, don’t miss our linked guide to get started.
If you have any questions or need further help, feel free to leave a comment below!
