What happens when you click or tap Send on an email and realize you forgot an attachment, absentmindedly signed a letter to your boss with “all my love,” or suddenly flashed that you typed “pubic” not “public”? Apple added an option in iOS 16/iPadOS 16 and macOS Ventura called Undo Send, which is a bit of a misnomer: it’s really “delay until sending.” (For instructions on using it, see our how-to.)
Apple turns this option on by default to 10 seconds. I know, because I never enabled it and both my iPhone and Mac. If you want to disable or change this interval:
- In iOS/iPadOS, go to Settings > Mail and tap Undo Send Delay. You can change it to Off or 10, 20, or 30 seconds.
- In macOS in the Mail app, choose Mail > Settings > Composing. You can uncheck “Undo send delay,” or check that box and set it to 10, 20, or 30 seconds via a popup menu.
Apple thinks 10, 20, or 30 seconds is long enough. For true deliberation, the company should analyze your email and suggest a duration: or some messages, perhaps 30 minutes; others, a lifetime.
This Mac 911 article is in response to a question submitted by Macworld reader Cynthia.
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Author: Glenn Fleishman, Senior Contributor
Glenn Fleishman’s most recent books include Take Control of iOS and iPadOS Privacy and Security, Take Control of Calendar and Reminders, and Take Control of Securing Your Mac. In his spare time, he writes about printing and type history. He’s a senior contributor to Macworld, where he writes Mac 911.