Fast, traceable and offering many possibilities, email is one of the most popular means of communication. The Gmail email service is probably one of the most popular, which can be used for both private and business purposes. If you use it regularly, you may have already sent your message too quickly or to the wrong recipient. Note that it is possible to cancel the sending of an email for a specified period of time, either from your browser or from the Gmail application on your phone.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Cancel sending an email on a computer
Step 1. Open your inbox
If you are logged in to your account, this page will automatically open when you enter the Gmail site. You can save it in your favorites for quick access or simply enter "Gmail" in your search engine bar. The link to the site https://www.google.com/intl/fr/gmail/about/ is among the first results.
If you are not logged in, enter your email address and password to access your inbox
Step 2. If necessary, activate the cancel send function
Gmail is a regularly updated service, the last major development of which dates from the first half of 2018. If you have an old version, you must activate the cancel sending function before setting it up. On the new Gmail interface, this option exists by default.
- Click on the symbol representing a toothed wheel
at the top right of your page.
- Select the line Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Look for the option Cancel sending in the tab General and check the box Activate Cancel send.
- Choose the send cancellation deadline from the drop-down menu.
- Save your settings by clicking on the button Save Changes located at the bottom of the page.
Step 3. Send a message
Click the ＋ New message button located at the top left of your page.
- On the older version of Gmail, click New message.
Step 4. Indicate the recipient and subject of the message
Enter the recipient's email address in the field starting with TO. If it is in your contact list, you just need to type the first few letters and it will appear automatically. Note that you can add multiple recipients. Click the Enter or Tab key ↹ then enter the subject of the message. If this is a test, you can send the message to your own email address with "Test" in the subject line.
Step 5. Write your text in the main box
If this is a test, you can skip this step.
Step 6. Click the blue Send button
The window disappears instantly, indicating that the message is being sent. Note that if you try to send a message without subject and without content, a dialog box automatically opens asking you to confirm the sending.
Step 7. Click the Cancel button
A black banner appears almost simultaneously when sending at the bottom left of your screen. On older versions of Gmail, it's at the top of the page. The banner has the words Mail and to cancel. Simply click on it to cancel sending the message.
By default, sending can be canceled within five seconds on the recent version of Gmail and within ten seconds on older ones
Step 8. Correct or delete your message
When you cancel sending, a draft of your message opens in a new window. You can then correct the content, modify the recipient's address or delete it.
Step 9. Change the Cancel Send Settings
If necessary, you can increase the time during which you can cancel sending a message.
- Click on the symbol representing a toothed wheel
at the top right of your page.
- Choose the line Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Look for the option Cancel sending in the tab General.
- Select the deadline for canceling the shipment. It can be five, ten, twenty or thirty seconds.
- Click on the button Save Changes at the bottom of the page to save your preferences.
Method 2 of 3: Cancel sending an email on an iPhone
Step 1. Open the Gmail app
Its icon is represented by a red "M" on a white background. If you are logged in, your inbox opens automatically.
- If you are not logged in, enter your email address and password to access your inbox.
- It is possible to cancel the sending of a message on your phone as well as on your tablet. You just need to have previously downloaded the Gmail application on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 2. Tap the icon
This action opens a new window allowing you to write and send your message. The icon, represented by a pen, is located at the bottom right of your screen.
Step 3. Identify the recipient
In the field starting with TO, write the e-mail address of the recipient of the message. This can be yours if you only want to test the cancellation of the shipment.
Step 4. Indicate the subject and compose the message in the dedicated fields
If this is a test, you can just fill in the subject field and leave the message blank.
Step 5. Tap the send icon
It is an arrow pointing right and located at the top right of the page.
Step 6. Cancel the shipment
When the message is sent, the word “Sent” appears as well as the option to cancel sending. Just tap Cancel at the bottom right of your screen.
You can cancel sending within five seconds
Step 7. Correct or delete your message
Upon cancellation, your draft opens in a new window. You can then modify or delete it.
Method 3 of 3: Cancel sending an email on an Android phone
Step 1. Open the Gmail app
Its icon is represented by a red "M" on a white background. Your inbox will then open automatically if you are connected.
If you are not logged in, enter your email address and password to access your inbox
Step 2. Open a new window
To send a message, tap the red pen icon
located at the bottom right of your screen.
Step 3. Compose your message
In the field starting with TO, enter the recipient's email address. Fill in the subject and write your text.
Step 4. Tap the send icon
If it is a test, simply enter your address and write "Test" in the subject line. You can send the message without content.
Step 5. Cancel the shipment
When sending, a black banner appears at the top of your screen indicating that the message has been sent and also offering the option to cancel. To cancel sending, just tap it.
- The option is accessible both on tablets and on phones equipped with the Android system. To adjust the duration of the sending cancellation, press the ☰ key to access your labels and parameters. Press the star wheel
and look for the option Cancel sending. Set the cancellation deadline as you wish.
Advice
The most recent version of Gmail includes various features including the ability to activate confidential mode when sending the message. This allows, among other things, to define an expiration time for the message or to provide an access code that the recipient must enter to access it
Warnings
- Note that increasing the time to cancel the sending also lengthens the time for receipt of the message by its recipient. Indeed, the actual sending of the email is suspended during this reminder period.
- Once the deadline has expired, it is no longer possible to cancel a shipment. To avoid any mishap, make it a habit to verify the recipient's identity and proofread your message before sending it.
