LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion
If you want to leave LinkedIn, you have two separate paths. Deactivation hides your profile immediately but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days — you can reactivate during that window and your account returns exactly as it was. Deletion is permanent: after 30 days, your profile, messages, and connections are gone for good, and you cannot undo it.
Most people choose deactivation first because it's reversible. But if you're certain you won't return, deletion removes your presence from LinkedIn entirely — including from search results, recommendations, and other members' contact lists.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile immediately but keeps your account recoverable for 30 days; deletion is permanent after that window closes.
- To deactivate, go to Settings & Privacy, select Account, then choose Deactivate Account — you'll be asked why you're leaving.
- To delete permanently, go to Settings & Privacy, select Data Privacy, then Download or Delete Your Data, and choose Delete Account.
- LinkedIn will send you a confirmation email; you must click the link in that email to complete the deletion process.
- After you deactivate or delete, LinkedIn may keep some data (like messages you sent to others) even though your account is gone.
How to deactivate your account (reversible for 30 days)
Deactivation is the safer choice if you're unsure. Open LinkedIn on a web browser — the mobile app doesn't have this option. Click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select Settings & Privacy.
On the left sidebar, click Account. Scroll down until you see Deactivate Account and click it. LinkedIn will ask you why you're leaving; you can skip this or answer it. Then click Deactivate to confirm. Your profile disappears immediately, but you can log back in anytime within 30 days to reactivate it.
How to permanently delete your account (cannot be undone)
Permanent deletion takes a few more steps because LinkedIn requires confirmation. Go to Settings & Privacy, then click Data Privacy on the left sidebar. Look for the section labeled Download or Delete Your Data.
Click Delete Account. LinkedIn will show you a warning that deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Enter your password to confirm your identity, then click Delete Account again. You'll receive a confirmation email at the address on file — you must click the link in that email within a set time to complete the deletion. If you don't click the link, the deletion request expires and your account stays active.
What happens to your data after deletion
LinkedIn deletes your profile, messages, and connections from its main systems after 30 days. However, some data persists: messages you sent to other members remain in their inboxes, recommendations you gave stay on other people's profiles, and any posts you made may still appear in search results or in people's feeds for a while.
If you're concerned about past messages or posts, delete them manually before you deactivate or delete your account. Go to your messaging inbox and delete conversations one by one, or find old posts on your profile and remove them.
Removing LinkedIn from other apps and websites
If you used your LinkedIn account to sign into other services — like job boards, learning platforms, or news sites — those logins will stop working once your account is deleted. Before you delete, change the password on any account that uses LinkedIn as a sign-in method, or switch to a different login (like email and password).
To see which apps have access to your LinkedIn account, go to Settings & Privacy, click Data Privacy, then look for Apps and Websites. You can revoke access to individual apps before you delete, which prevents broken logins later.
If you want to keep your data before leaving
LinkedIn lets you download a copy of your profile data before you delete. In Settings & Privacy, go to Data Privacy and click Download or Delete Your Data. Choose Download Your Data instead of delete. LinkedIn will email you a file with your profile information, connections list, and message history — this takes a few hours to prepare.
This is useful if you want to keep a record of your professional network or any messages before they're gone. The file arrives as a compressed folder you can save to your computer.
Deactivation vs. deletion: which should you choose
Choose deactivation if you might return to LinkedIn later, want to test life without it, or aren't completely sure. Your profile hides immediately, but you can reactivate anytime in the next 30 days with no extra steps.
Choose deletion if you're certain you won't use LinkedIn again and want your profile completely removed from the platform. Remember: after 30 days, there's no way to recover your account or its data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?
No. Deletion is permanent after the 30-day window closes. Deactivation is reversible — you can reactivate anytime within 30 days by logging back in. If you're unsure, deactivate first.
Will my connections know I deleted my account?
Your profile will disappear from their connections list and they won't see you in search results. LinkedIn doesn't send a notification that you deleted your account, but they may notice you're gone if they try to visit your profile.
What if I don't click the confirmation email link for deletion?
The deletion request expires after a certain period (LinkedIn doesn't specify exactly how long, but typically a few days). Your account stays active if you don't confirm. You'll need to start the deletion process again.
Do I lose my email address after I delete my account?
No. Your personal email address is yours — LinkedIn doesn't own it. You can use the same email to create a new LinkedIn account later if you change your mind, though it will be a fresh account with no history.
Can I delete my account on the LinkedIn mobile app?
The mobile app doesn't have the delete option. You must use a web browser on a computer or phone to access Settings & Privacy and the Data Privacy section where deletion lives.