How to Schedule an Email in Outlook

If there’s an important email you need to send later but want to ensure you don’t forget about it, you’ll be happy to know Microsoft Outlook has a scheduling option. It can give you peace of mind knowing your recipient will get the email, and you don’t have to worry about remembering to send it.

In just a few clicks, you can set everything up, and the email will be delivered at the time you selected. This article will discuss how to schedule an email in Outlook using different platforms. In addition, we’ll discuss other interesting features you might find helpful.

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook on the Web Version

If you’re using the Outlook online web version, you can easily compose your email and schedule it to be delivered at a time of your preference. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your browser and go to Outlook.
   
2. Compose your email.
   
3. Tap the arrow next to the Send button.
   
4. Tap Send later.
   
5. Set the date and time when you would like to send the email.
   
6. Tap Send.
   

Your email will show up in the Drafts folder. If you change your mind and want to send the email immediately, go back to the Drafts folder and tap Cancel Send and then send it normally.

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook on a Windows PC

If you’re using a Windows PC, scheduling an email in Outlook is simple and can be done in a few clicks. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Outlook.
   
2. Compose your email.
   
3. Open the Options tab.
   
4. Tap Delay Delivery.
   
5. Mark the checkbox next to Do not deliver before.
   
6. Specify the date and time when you want the email to be sent.
   
7. Tap Close and then tap Send.
   

The email will be sent at the time you specified. Until then, it will remain in Outlook’s outbox.

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook on the iPhone App

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to schedule an email in Outlook using the iPhone app. But other third-party apps such as Spark or Gmail have this option available. If you’re often on the go and want to schedule emails using your iPhone, you should consider installing one of these apps.

If you opt for Spark, here are the steps to follow:

1. Download Spark from the App Store.
   
2. Enter your Outlook ID and password.
   
3. Set up your account by following the instructions and compose a new email.
   
4. Tap the airplane icon with a clock right above your keyboard.
   
5. You can choose between a few default options: Later Today, This Evening, Tomorrow, or Tomorrow Eve.
   
6. If you want to customize the date and time, tap Pick date.
   
7. Once you’re done, tap Set.
   

If you want to use Gmail, follow the steps below:

1. Download Gmail from the App Store.
   
2. Sign-in using your email and set up a password.
   
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account if you don’t have one already.
4. Compose a new email.
   
5. Tap the three dots at the top-right corner.
   
6. Tap Schedule send.
   
7. You can choose between three default options: Tomorrow morning, Tomorrow afternoon, or the next available Monday morning. If you want to set up a different date and time, tap Pick date & time.
   
8. Once you’re done, tap Save.
   
   

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook on the Android App

If you’re using the Outlook Android App, you won’t be able to schedule your email since this option isn’t available. You can use other third-party apps such as Spark or Gmail. Both allow you to customize when your email will be delivered.

If you want to use Spark, follow the steps below:

1. Download Spark from the Play Store.
   
2. Sign up using your Outlook ID and password and follow the instructions for setting up your account.
   
3. Compose a new email.
   
4. In the bottom option, tap the airplane icon with a clock.
   
5. Choose among several default options for scheduling your email: Later today, This evening, Tomorrow, or Tomorrow eve.
   
6. You can customize the date and time by tapping Pick date.
   
7. When you’re done, tap OK.
   

If you opt for using Gmail, follow these steps for scheduling an email:

1. Open Gmail on your phone.
   
2. Compose a new email.
   
3. Tap the three dots at the top-right corner.
   
4. Tap Schedule send.
   
5. Choose among three default options: Tomorrow morning, Tomorrow afternoon, or Monday morning.
   
6. If you want to set up a different date and time, tap Pick date & time.
   
7. Once you’re done, tap Schedule send.
   

How to Schedule an Email in Outlook on the Mac App

You can use Outlook on your Mac device and schedule emails. However, note that this option won’t be available if you’re using Gmail, iCloud, or Yahoo account. Follow the steps below to schedule an Outlook email on a Mac:

1. Open Outlook and write your email.
   
2. Tap the arrow next to the Send icon at the top-left corner.
   
3. Tap Send Later.
   
4. Enter the time and date when you would like to send the email.
   
5. Tap Send.
   

Your email will be saved in the Drafts folder until the scheduled time. The email will be sent even if Outlook isn’t open on your Mac device at the specified time. You just need to be connected to the internet.

If you change your mind and want to cancel the email, go to your Drafts folder and tap Cancel Send. The email will remain open so that you can delete or reschedule it.

Additional FAQs

How can I add a delay to all emails in Outlook?

If you often make mistakes when sending emails or forget to send attachments, you should consider delaying them. This gives you enough time to revise and potentially add what you’ve forgotten. Outlook allows you to create a rule and delay all of your emails by up to two hours.

Creating a rule is simple, and you can do it with a few clicks:

1. Open Outlook and tap File.

2. Tap Manage Rules & Alerts.

3. Tap New Rule.

4. In the Select a template box, tap Apply rule on messages I send and tap Next.

5. In the Select condition(s) list, mark the checkboxes next to the options you want and tap Next.

6. In the Select action(s) list, mark the checkbox next to Defer delivery by a number of minutes.

7. In the Edit the rule description (click an underlined value) box, tap a number of.

8. Select the number of minutes you want. The maximum is 120.

9. Tap OK and then tap Next.

10. Customize potential exceptions if you want.

11. Give a name to the rule.

12. Mark the checkbox next to Turn on this rule.

13. Tap Finish.

Once you’ve created this rule, all the emails you send will be held in your outbox folder for the number of minutes you specified.

Compose Your Emails Now, Send Them Later

Outlook enables you to write your emails now and schedule them to be sent anytime you want. This helpful feature allows you to return to your emails if you realize you need to add something or just to give yourself peace of mind and finish your day early. The only downside is that you can’t use this feature if you have the Outlook mobile app. In that case, you should opt for third-party apps.

Do you often schedule your emails? In what situation do you do it? Tell us in the comments section below.