That important email you scheduled for later delivery sits in Outlook’s Outbox until its appointed time. If you are wondering how to find scheduled email in outlook, you are not alone—many users struggle to locate these pending messages. This guide walks you through every method, from desktop to web to mobile, so you never lose track of a scheduled email again.
Outlook does not always make it obvious where scheduled emails hide. They are not in your Sent folder until they actually send. Instead, they wait in a special location. Let us clear up the confusion step by step.
How To Find Scheduled Email In Outlook
First, understand the core concept. When you schedule an email for later, Outlook moves it from your Drafts folder to the Outbox. The Outbox holds all messages waiting to be sent, including those with a future delivery time. Here is how to access it on different versions.
On Outlook Desktop (Microsoft 365 And Outlook 2019/2021)
The desktop app is the most common place to schedule emails. Follow these steps:
- Open Outlook on your computer.
- Look at the left navigation pane. You will see folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts.
- Scroll down until you find the folder named Outbox. Click on it.
- All scheduled emails appear here. They show the scheduled send time next to the subject line.
If you do not see the Outbox folder, it might be collapsed. Click the small arrow next to your mailbox name to expand all folders. Sometimes the Outbox is hidden under a “More” section. Keep scrolling.
What If The Outbox Is Empty?
An empty Outbox means one of two things: either your email has already sent, or it was saved as a draft instead of scheduled. Check your Drafts folder. If it is there, you need to reschedule it properly. Also, ensure your Outlook is online—offline mode prevents sending.
On Outlook Web (Outlook.com Or Office 365 Web)
The web version works slightly differently. Here is how to find scheduled emails in Outlook on the web:
- Go to outlook.com or your work Office 365 portal. Sign in.
- On the left sidebar, you will see a list of folders. Click on Drafts first.
- Scroll to the bottom of the Drafts list. Scheduled emails often appear here with a clock icon.
- Alternatively, click on Sent Items. Some scheduled emails show up here after they send, but you can also see pending ones in a separate section.
Actually, the web version has a dedicated “Scheduled” folder in some layouts. Look for a folder named Scheduled under your main mailbox. If you do not see it, click the three dots (…) next to “Folders” and select “Add folder” to check if it exists.
Using The Search Bar
If you cannot find the folder, use the search bar at the top. Type “scheduled” or “delayed delivery” and press Enter. Outlook will show all messages with those terms. This works well if you remember the subject or recipient.
On Outlook Mobile (IOS And Android)
The mobile app is simpler but less intuitive. Here is how to find scheduled emails on your phone:
- Open the Outlook app on your iPhone or Android.
- Tap the mailbox icon (three lines) in the top-left corner.
- Scroll down the folder list. Look for Outbox or Scheduled. The name depends on your app version.
- Tap it. You will see all pending scheduled emails with their send times.
If you do not see these folders, tap “Edit” at the bottom of the folder list. You can add the Outbox or Scheduled folder to your favorites for easy access. Some users report that the mobile app hides the Outbox by default—you have to manually enable it.
Common Reasons You Cannot Find Scheduled Emails
Even after following the steps, you might still struggle. Here are the most frequent issues:
- Email already sent: If the scheduled time has passed, the email moves to Sent Items. Check there.
- Wrong account: You might have scheduled it under a different email account in Outlook. Switch accounts in the folder pane.
- Deleted accidentally: Scheduled emails can be deleted from the Outbox. Check your Deleted Items folder.
- Outlook offline: If you are not connected to the internet, the Outbox holds emails but does not show them as scheduled. Go online to see the send times.
- Folder view settings: Sometimes the Outbox is hidden due to custom view settings. Reset the folder view to default.
How To Edit Or Cancel A Scheduled Email
Once you find the scheduled email, you might want to change it. Here is how:
- Open the Outbox or Scheduled folder.
- Double-click the email to open it.
- Click on the Send button options (usually a dropdown arrow next to Send).
- Select Edit send time or Cancel send.
- If you cancel, the email moves back to Drafts. You can then edit it or delete it.
On the web version, look for a “Cancel” button next to the scheduled email. Click it to stop the delivery. The email will return to Drafts for editing.
Pro Tip: Use The “Delay Delivery” Feature
Instead of scheduling individual emails, you can set a rule to delay all outgoing messages. This gives you a buffer to recall emails if needed. Go to File > Manage Rules & Alerts > New Rule. Choose “Apply rule on messages I send” and set a delay of a few minutes. This does not replace scheduling, but it helps with accidental sends.
Advanced Methods To Locate Scheduled Emails
For power users, there are faster ways. Try these:
- Instant Search: In the Outlook desktop app, press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Cmd+E (Mac). Type “sends later” or “schedule” and press Enter. Outlook searches all folders, including the Outbox.
- Create a Search Folder: Go to Folder > New Search Folder. Choose “Mail sent directly to me” or create a custom one that includes the Outbox. This gives you a permanent view of all scheduled emails.
- Use VBA Macro: If you are technical, you can write a simple VBA script to list all items in the Outbox with their scheduled times. This is overkill for most users but works.
How To Find Scheduled Emails In Classic Outlook (Older Versions)
If you use Outlook 2010 or 2013, the process is similar but the interface looks different. Look for the Outbox folder in the navigation pane. It might be under your mailbox name. If you cannot find it, click View > Folder Pane > Normal. This shows all folders.
In older versions, scheduled emails appear with a small clock icon in the Outbox. Double-click to see the delivery time. You can also right-click the email and choose “Properties” to view the send settings.
FAQ: Common Questions About Scheduled Emails In Outlook
Here are answers to frequent queries:
1. Where do scheduled emails go in Outlook after they send?
After the scheduled time, the email moves from the Outbox to the Sent Items folder. It looks like any other sent email, but you can check the original send time in the message details.
2. Can I recover a scheduled email I accidentally deleted from Outbox?
Yes, check your Deleted Items folder. If it is not there, go to the “Recoverable Items” folder (in Outlook web) or use the “Recover Deleted Items” feature in the desktop app. This works for up to 30 days.
3. Why does my scheduled email not show in the Outbox?
This usually happens if you saved it as a draft instead of scheduling it. Open the Drafts folder and look for the email. If it is there, you need to set a new delivery time by clicking Send > Schedule Send.
4. How do I see all scheduled emails across multiple accounts in Outlook?
Outlook does not have a unified view for scheduled emails across accounts. You have to check each account’s Outbox separately. However, you can use the search function with “scheduled” to find them across all folders.
5. Does scheduling an email in Outlook work offline?
Yes, you can schedule an email while offline. It stays in the Outbox until you go online. At that point, Outlook sends it at the scheduled time if the time has passed, or waits if the time is in the future.
Final Tips For Managing Scheduled Emails
To avoid confusion in the future, adopt these habits:
- Always check the Outbox after scheduling. Make sure the email is there.
- Use descriptive subject lines so you can find them later via search.
- Set a reminder on your phone for important scheduled emails. Outlook does not notify you when they send.
- If you schedule many emails, create a rule to move them to a custom folder after sending. This keeps your Sent Items organized.
Now you know exactly how to find scheduled email in outlook across all platforms. Whether you use the desktop app, web version, or mobile, the Outbox is your friend. Bookmark this guide for the next time you need to locate a pending message. With these steps, you will never lose a scheduled email again.