Gmail users can extend unsend message delay time

Undo option appears briefly

A small box appears in the bottom left corner whenever a user hits send. This interface displays the text Message sent alongside options for Undo and View message. The system gives users only a very short amount of time to act before the action becomes final. Sending a View message before the wait period concludes also signifies that you have cut short your opportunity to unsend the email.

Settings change cancellation period

To access Gmail from a desktop, users should select the Gear icon located in the upper right section of the display. In the Quick settings panel, they should choose See all settings to access the General settings page. Navigate downward to locate the Undo Send area, which contains the choice for adjusting your cancellation timeframe. The feature defaults to five seconds but can be changed to ten, twenty or thirty seconds.

Recipients remain unaware of delay

The intended recipient does not get notified about it and will not know that you have unsent an email. Once the email is out there, users cannot claw it back from your recipient inbox even if it has not been opened yet. The feature delays the service from dispatching your email to give you a chance to stop it from going through. While a half-a-minute wait represents the maximum time allowed before sending an email, this brief interval might suffice to avert catastrophe.