Sometimes you need to write an email now but send it later. Maybe you’re working late at night and don’t want the message to reach your boss at 1 a.m. Maybe you want a follow-up email to go out automatically tomorrow morning. Maybe you want your message to land when someone is most likely to read it. Or maybe you simply want Outlook to handle timing for you.
Outlook makes this easy — but only if you know where the “delay” options are.
This 2025 guide walks you through every method on Outlook Desktop, Outlook Web, Mac, iPhone, and Android.
Why Sending Delayed Emails Helps So Much
Delayed send lets you:
- write emails whenever you have time
- send messages during professional hours
- avoid waking coworkers with late-night notifications
- plan follow-ups automatically
- schedule reminders
- create future task emails
- avoid forgetting important messages
- improve timing across time zones
- look more organized and thoughtful
Outlook becomes your personal scheduler instead of just a mail app.
Send Delayed Email in Outlook Desktop (Windows)
This is the classic method using Delay Delivery.
Steps:
- open Outlook
- click New Email
- type your message
- click the Options tab at the top
- click Delay Delivery
- under “Delivery options,” check Do not deliver before
- choose your date
- choose your time
- click Close
- click Send
Your message now waits in the Outbox until the scheduled time.
Tip:
- If you use an older Outlook version, Outlook must stay open until the message sends.
Send Delayed Email in the New Outlook (Modern Version)
Microsoft added a simpler “Schedule Send” button.
Steps:
- open the New Outlook
- click New Email
- write your message
- click the arrow next to Send
- select Schedule Send
- pick a time
- click Send
That’s it.
The new Outlook automatically sends it at the set time without keeping the app open.
Send Delayed Email in Outlook Web (Outlook.com)
The web version makes scheduling fast and clean.
Steps:
- open Outlook.com
- sign in
- click New Message
- enter your email
- click the arrow beside Send
- click Send later
- choose your date and time
- click Send
Your scheduled emails appear in the Scheduled folder.
Major benefit:
- Outlook Web sends even if your computer is off.
Send Delayed Email in Outlook for Mac
Mac users have a smooth “Send Later” option.
Steps:
- open Outlook for Mac
- click New Message
- write your email
- click the arrow next to Send
- choose Send Later
- pick your date and time
- click Send
Your email is safely stored until it’s sent.
Send Delayed Email in Outlook Mobile (iPhone & Android)
Both mobile versions support delayed sending.
Steps:
- open the Outlook app
- tap New Message
- write your email
- tap the three dots (••• or ⋮)
- tap Schedule Send
- choose a preset time
- or tap Pick date & time
- tap Send
Great for scheduling follow-ups while on the go.
Use Delay Delivery for Advanced Timing (Outlook Desktop)
Delay Delivery is more than just scheduling.
You can:
- set exact send time
- prevent sending before a specific time
- expire messages
- hold delivery until a future date
- customize delivery rules
Steps:
- open your email
- click Options
- click Delay Delivery
- adjust settings
- click Close
- send
This is ideal for complex timing needs.
Create an Automatic Delay Rule for All Emails
If you accidentally send emails too fast, Outlook can delay every outgoing message for a few minutes.
Steps:
- click File
- click Manage Rules & Alerts
- click New Rule
- select “Apply rule on messages I send”
- choose Next
- select Defer delivery by xx minutes
- choose time delay (1–120 minutes)
- finish setup
This prevents instant sends and gives you time to cancel mistakes.
Edit a Scheduled Outlook Email
If you need to change timing:
Outlook Desktop:
- open the Outbox
- double-click the message
- click Delay Delivery
- change the date or time
- click Send again
Outlook Web:
- open Scheduled folder
- click the email
- click Cancel send
- email moves to Drafts
- edit
- reschedule
Cancel a Delayed Outlook Email
If you scheduled something by mistake:
Desktop:
- go to Outbox
- delete the email
Outlook Web:
- open Scheduled
- click email
- click Cancel send
- delete or rewrite
Mobile:
- go to Scheduled
- tap the email
- cancel or delete
Why Your Delayed Email Didn’t Send
Common reasons:
- Outlook was closed (old desktop versions)
- your device was offline
- mailbox sync failed
- message stuck in Outbox
- VPN blocked connection
- server authentication expired
- attachment too large
- sending permissions restricted
Fix:
- reopen Outlook
- connect to the internet
- resend the message
- clear Outbox
- restart Outlook
- log out and log in again
Most issues resolve fast.
Schedule Delayed Emails for Time Zones
If your recipient lives in another time zone:
Steps:
- open Outlook
- go to File → Options → Calendar
- enable time zones
- set your local zone
- pick a secondary zone if you need it
Schedule the email for when the receiver is awake, working, or active.
Use Delayed Sending for Productivity
Delayed email is perfect for:
- Monday morning messages
- weekend reminders
- project updates
- follow-ups after meetings
- onboarding tasks
- birthday/anniversary messages
- task-triggered reminders
- communication batching
- avoiding immediate back-and-forth replies
You can plan your whole week’s emails at once.
Use Templates + Delayed Sends for Recurring Messages
If you send the same message often:
Steps:
- create an email template
- open template when needed
- fill in details
- click Schedule Send
- choose date and time
Perfect for weekly reports or monthly updates.
Troubleshooting: When “Send Later” Is Missing
Reasons:
- using a POP/IMAP account
- Outlook is outdated
- admin disabled scheduling
- old desktop version without Delay Delivery
- mobile app not updated
- sync not enabled
Fix:
- update Outlook
- switch to Microsoft 365 or Exchange account
- restart Outlook
- update mobile app
- re-add your email account
Scheduling usually appears after updating.
Organization Tips for Delayed Sending
To stay organized:
- check Outbox or Scheduled folders regularly
- avoid scheduling too many emails at the same time
- confirm times before sending
- label drafts clearly
- schedule follow-ups during work hours
- don’t rely on last-minute scheduling
- always review the message again before sending
Clean scheduling = clean communication.
Quick Summary
How to send delayed email in Outlook:
- Desktop (Windows): Options → Delay Delivery
- New Outlook: Arrow next to Send → Schedule Send
- Outlook Web: Send later
- Mac: Send Later
- Android/iPhone: ⋮ or ••• → Schedule Send
- Edit through Outbox or Scheduled folder
- Cancel with one tap
Two clicks — and Outlook sends your email exactly when you want.
FAQs
Do I need Outlook open for delayed emails to send?
Only in older desktop versions.
Outlook Web and New Outlook send automatically.
Can I delay send on Outlook mobile?
Yes — both iPhone and Android support “Schedule Send.”
Can I schedule recurring delayed emails?
Not automatically.
Use templates or Power Automate instead.
Can I cancel a scheduled email?
Yes — delete it from Outbox or the Scheduled folder.
Does the recipient know the email was delayed?
No.
It looks like any normal email.
