The short answer
Right after you send an email in Gmail, click Undo in the “Message sent” notice at the bottom of the screen (or tap Undo in the app). To get more time, on a computer open Settings › See all settings › General, set Undo Send to 30 seconds, and click Save Changes.
Everyone has sent an email and immediately spotted a typo, a missing attachment, or the wrong recipient. Gmail’s Undo Send gives you a short window to take it back.
Unsend an email on a computer
- Send your email as usual.
- In the bottom-left corner, a Message sent notice appears with Undo and View message.
- Click Undo.
The email reopens as a draft so you can fix it.
Unsend an email in the Gmail app
- Send your email.
- At the bottom of the screen, a notice appears with Undo.
- Tap Undo.
Give yourself more time
By default, you only get 5 seconds. You can change this on a computer:
- Open Gmail on a computer.
- Click the Settings gear in the top-right corner, then See all settings.
- On the General tab, find Undo Send.
- Choose a send cancellation period of 5, 10, 20 or 30 seconds.
- Scroll down and click Save Changes.
There’s a small trade-off: every email is delayed by that many seconds before it’s actually sent.
Prevent mistakes before you send
- Add recipients last. Write the message first, then fill in the “To” field, so you can’t send it by accident.
- Schedule important emails instead of sending them right away, giving you time to reread them. See how to schedule an email.
- Watch for attachment reminders. Gmail may warn you if you mention an attachment but forget to add one.
If the time has run out
The email has been delivered and can’t be recalled. Send a short follow-up with the correction. If you sent sensitive information to the wrong person, ask them politely to delete it.
Related guides
Want to send it later instead? Here’s how to schedule an email. If you notice emails you didn’t send, see what to do if your email is hacked.
The bottom line
Click Undo right after sending, and set Undo Send to 30 seconds in Settings so you always have time to catch mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I unsend an email after the time runs out?
No. Once the undo period ends, the email is delivered and Gmail can't recall it. The only option then is to send a follow-up message.
How does Undo Send actually work?
Gmail holds your message for the number of seconds you choose before sending it. Clicking Undo during that time cancels the send and reopens the draft.
Does Undo Send work in the Gmail app?
Yes. After sending, tap Undo in the notice at the bottom of the screen. The time limit you set on the computer applies to your account.
Why you can trust this guide
- Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 2 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
- Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
- Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
- Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.
Sources
This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.
