● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Gmail's Undo Send feature can be extended to 30 seconds for message recall
Key points
- Gmail's Undo Send delays email dispatch, not retrieves sent emails.
- Default cancellation period is 5 seconds.
- Users can extend the period to 10, 20, or 30 seconds.
- Setting change is done in General settings under "Undo Send" section.
Gmail's Undo Send Functionality
Gmail includes an "Undo Send" feature that appears briefly after an email is sent. This option allows users to prevent an email from being dispatched if they quickly notice an error or forgotten information. The feature does not retrieve an email already delivered to a recipient's inbox; instead, it delays the initial sending process.
Default Cancellation Period
Upon hitting "Send," a small box appears in the bottom-left corner of the screen with "Message sent" and options to "Undo" or "View message." The default time to use the "Undo" option is five seconds. If "View message" is clicked before the timer expires, the chance to unsend is forfeited.
Extending the Undo Send Window
Users can extend the duration of the "Undo Send" window. This setting is accessible via the Gear icon in Gmail on desktop, under "See all settings," then navigating to the "General" tab. Within the "Undo Send" section, the cancellation period can be changed from the default five seconds to 10, 20, or 30 seconds. The maximum delay available is 30 seconds.
Applying Changes
After selecting a new cancellation period, users must click "Save changes" at the bottom of the General settings page for the updated duration to take effect. This extended period provides more time for a final review before an email is permanently sent.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Gmail offers an "Undo Send" feature that delays email dispatch, allowing users to recall a message shortly after hitting send. This cancellation period, initially set to five seconds, can be extended up to 30 seconds through Gmail's settings. The feature prevents the email from being sent, rather than retrieving it from a recipient's inbox.