How to undo send in Gmail

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read

Expert Verified

Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To undo send in Gmail, you can enable the 'Undo Send' feature in your Gmail settings, which allows you to retract an email shortly after sending it. This feature is available on both desktop and mobile versions of Gmail, providing a grace period to cancel the sending of an email.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you can use the 'Undo Send' feature in Gmail, ensure you meet the following requirements:

•A valid Gmail account with access to the web interface or mobile app.
•Internet connection to access Gmail services.
•Familiarity with Gmail's settings interface.

Method 1: Enabling and Using Undo Send

This method outlines how to enable and utilize the 'Undo Send' feature in Gmail. It is the primary method for retracting sent emails.

•Step 1: Log into your Gmail account at https://mail.google.com.
•Step 2: Click on the gear icon (⚙️) in the upper right corner to open the Settings menu.
•Step 3: Select 'See all settings' from the dropdown menu.
•Step 4: In the 'General' tab, locate the 'Undo Send' section.
•Step 5: Set the 'Send cancellation period' to your preferred duration (5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds).
•Step 6: Scroll down and click 'Save Changes' at the bottom of the page.
•Step 7: After sending an email, look for the 'Message sent' notification at the bottom left corner of the screen, which will display an 'Undo' option.
•Step 8: Click 'Undo' within the specified cancellation period to retract the email.
•Step 9: Verify that the email is no longer in your 'Sent' folder.

For Windows 11

Windows 11 users will follow the same steps as outlined above, with a slightly different interface.

•Step 1: Open the Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser.
•Step 2: Access Gmail as described in Method 1.
•Step 3: Follow the same settings navigation to enable 'Undo Send'.

For Windows 10

Windows 10 users can also follow the same steps as outlined above, with no significant differences in the Gmail interface.

•Step 1: Open your preferred web browser.
•Step 2: Navigate to Gmail and log in.
•Step 3: Access settings and enable 'Undo Send' as described.

Method 2: Using Gmail Mobile App

This method describes how to use the 'Undo Send' feature on the Gmail mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

•Step 1: Open the Gmail app on your mobile device.
•Step 2: Tap the compose button (✏️) to create a new email.
•Step 3: Send the email as you normally would.
•Step 4: After sending, look for the 'Message sent' notification at the bottom of the screen.
•Step 5: Tap 'Undo' within the cancellation period to retract the email.
•Step 6: Confirm that the email is no longer in your 'Sent' folder.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to use the 'Undo Send' feature, consider the following solutions:

•Error: 'Undo' option not visible - Solution: Ensure the 'Undo Send' feature is enabled in settings.
•Issue: Unable to retract email after the cancellation period - Fix: Remember that the cancellation period is limited; consider adjusting it in settings.
•Problem: Email still appears in 'Sent' folder after clicking 'Undo' - Workaround: Check your internet connection; if it was unstable, the email may have been sent before you clicked 'Undo'.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, here are some tips and shortcuts to enhance your Gmail experience:

•Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Enter (Windows) or Command + Enter (Mac) - This sends the email immediately.
•Hidden feature: Schedule send - Use the dropdown arrow next to the 'Send' button to schedule emails for later delivery.
•Tip: Consider using email templates for frequently sent messages to save time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

To maximize your efficiency in email communication, always enable the 'Undo Send' feature and familiarize yourself with Gmail's advanced settings.