You can delete your LinkedIn account in settings, but the process takes two steps and a waiting period
LinkedIn lets you remove your account entirely through the Settings menu. The deletion is not instant — LinkedIn keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind, then removes it permanently. During those 30 days, you can cancel the deletion and restore your account. After 30 days, your profile, messages, connections, and all associated data are gone for good.
If you only want to step away temporarily without losing your account, you can deactivate instead of delete. A deactivated account hides your profile from search results and other users, but LinkedIn keeps your data and you can reactivate anytime. Deletion is the permanent option.
Key Takeaways
- Account deletion takes two steps: request deletion in Settings, then confirm via email within 30 days.
- Your profile disappears immediately from search and other users' views, but LinkedIn keeps your data for 30 days before permanent removal.
- You can cancel the deletion anytime during the 30-day waiting period by signing back in.
- Deactivation is a temporary alternative that hides your profile without deleting your account or data.
- Downloaded copies of your data are not automatically deleted when you delete your account.
How to request account deletion
Open LinkedIn in a web browser and sign in to your account. Go to your profile photo in the top right corner and click it, then select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu.
In Settings, click the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see Account management and click Deactivate or delete account. LinkedIn will show you two options: "Deactivate account" and "Delete account". Click Delete account.
LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your password and explain why you are leaving. You do not have to fill in the reason, but LinkedIn uses this feedback to improve the platform. After you enter your password and click Delete, your account enters the 30-day waiting period. Your profile is no longer visible to other users or in search results immediately.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
For 30 days after you request deletion, your account is in a pending removal state. LinkedIn will not show your profile to other users, and you cannot log in or use any LinkedIn features. However, LinkedIn is still holding your data in case you want to undo the deletion.
If you change your mind during this time, sign in to LinkedIn with your email and password. Your account will reactivate and return to normal. All your connections, messages, and profile information will be restored. You can do this as many times as you want during the 30-day window.
After 30 days pass, LinkedIn permanently deletes your account and all associated data. This includes your profile, messages, connections, endorsements, and recommendations. You cannot recover this information after the 30 days are up.
Deactivating instead of deleting
If you want to leave LinkedIn but might return later, deactivation is a better choice than deletion. A deactivated account hides your profile from other users and search results, but LinkedIn keeps all your data intact. You can reactivate your account anytime by signing back in — there is no waiting period and no data loss.
To deactivate, follow the same steps as deletion: go to Settings, click Account, then click Deactivate or delete account. This time, select Deactivate account. LinkedIn will ask for your password and let you choose whether to receive emails about reactivating. After you confirm, your account is deactivated immediately.
Deactivated accounts do not appear in search results, and other users cannot view your profile or send you messages. However, your name may still appear in other users' connection lists and message histories. If you reactivate later, everything returns to the state it was in when you deactivated.
Downloading your data before deletion
LinkedIn lets you download a copy of your personal data before you delete your account. This includes your profile information, connections list, messages, and activity history. If you want to keep a record of your LinkedIn data, download it before you request deletion.
To download your data, go to Settings, click Data privacy, then select Get a copy of your data. LinkedIn will prepare a file and send it to your email address. This usually takes a few hours. The file is a ZIP archive that contains your information in readable formats.
Keep in mind that downloading your data does not affect the deletion process. Even if you download your information, your account will still be deleted after 30 days unless you cancel the deletion. The downloaded file is separate from your LinkedIn account.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you cannot delete your account through Settings. Instead, go to the LinkedIn login page and click Forgot password? to reset it. Follow the email instructions to create a new password, then sign in and proceed with deletion as normal.
If you do not have access to the email address linked to your account, contact LinkedIn Support through their help center. You will need to verify your identity by providing information about your account. LinkedIn Support can help you regain access or delete your account if you cannot log in yourself.
Removing LinkedIn apps from your phone
Deleting your LinkedIn account does not automatically remove the LinkedIn app from your phone or tablet. After your account is deleted, the app will no longer work — you will see a login screen when you open it. You can uninstall the app manually from your device's app store or settings.
On iPhone, open the App Store, go to your profile, find the LinkedIn app in your purchases, and select Remove. On Android, open Google Play, search for LinkedIn, and tap Uninstall. You can also delete the app by holding its icon on your home screen and selecting delete or remove.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my deletion request after I submit it?
Yes. During the 30-day waiting period, sign back into LinkedIn with your email and password. Your account will reactivate immediately and all your data will be restored. You can cancel the deletion as many times as you want before the 30 days are up.
Will my connections be notified when I delete my account?
No. LinkedIn does not send notifications to your connections when you delete your account. Your profile will simply disappear from their view. They may notice you are no longer in their connection list, but they will not receive a message about it.
What happens to messages I sent to other people?
Messages you sent remain in other users' inboxes, but your name will no longer appear as the sender. The message will show as coming from a deleted account. Other users can still see the content of the message, but they cannot click on your profile or reply to you.
Can I use the same email address to create a new LinkedIn account after deletion?
You can create a new account with the same email address, but you should wait until after the 30-day deletion period is complete. If you create a new account during the waiting period, it may interfere with the deletion process. After 30 days, the old account is completely gone and you can sign up again.
Does deleting my LinkedIn account remove me from job search sites that use LinkedIn data?
Deleting your LinkedIn account removes your profile from LinkedIn itself, but other websites that have already indexed or cached your information may still show it temporarily. You would need to contact those sites separately to request removal. LinkedIn deletion does not automatically remove your information from third-party job boards or search engines.