Wed 08 / 05 / 24
Unsend an email before it reaches your recipient’s inbox
Going, going, gone?
Busy workdays can easily lead to email mistakes. A forgotten attachment, a glaring typo – we’ve all experienced the sinking feeling of hitting ‘send’ too soon. Luckily, Google Workspace has a simple solution: increase the time you have to unsend an email. This gives you time to catch mistakes and ensure your messages land at the perfect moment, giving you greater control over your email communication.
Delay email sending in Gmail
Gmail has a built-in 5-second window to allow you to “undo” sending an email but sometimes you need more time to catch embarrassing typos or add attachments. While you might not need to use this feature very often, the times that you do need to use it, will feel like a lifesaver. Best of all, you’re in control – no need to involve your administrator. You decide how long to delay your emails and can adjust the settings whenever you like.
Here’s how to set up your Gmail inbox to catch those mistakes before they reach your recipient’s inbox.
How to:
Step 1: In your Gmail window, navigate to the settings cog at the top right of your screen and select “see all settings”.
Step 2: Under the general tab, about 4 options down you will see the “undo sending” section.
Step 3: Choose how much time you’d like to give yourself to re-think your emails. You can choose up to 30 seconds.
Step 4: Scroll all the way down to the bottom and save your changes.
Now you’ve got time!
And there you have it! This simple yet powerful feature helps you maintain a professional edge in your email communication. Say goodbye to those embarrassing follow-up emails apologising for typos and forgotten attachments.
Click here for more info on Google Workspace and keep up to date with our other Google Workspace blogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gmail’s undo-send feature cause delivery delays?
Answer: Yes, but the delay is minimal, only the seconds you set. This ensures a polished and error-free email.
Can I change the Gmail unsend delay time later?
Answer: Yes! You can adjust the delay period as needed by revisiting your Gmail settings.
What if I miss the Gmail unsend window?
Answer: If the delay time expires, the email is sent as normal. You’ll need to send a follow-up email to address any errors.
Will I see a notification if I choose to unsend an email?
Answer: Yes! A banner will appear at the bottom of your Gmail window confirming the action or offering to view the email.