LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion
LinkedIn lets you step back in two different ways. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily — you can reactivate it later if you change your mind. Deletion is permanent: your profile, messages, and connections disappear after 30 days, and you cannot get them back. Most people who want to leave choose deletion, but deactivation makes sense if you think you might return.
The choice matters because LinkedIn keeps your data for a month after deletion, giving you a window to cancel the request. After 30 days, the account is gone for good. If you are certain you want to leave, deletion is the cleaner break. If you are taking a break or testing life without the platform, deactivation lets you preserve your network and come back without rebuilding.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data; you can reactivate anytime by logging back in.
- Deletion removes your profile permanently after 30 days, and you cannot undo it after that window closes.
- To deactivate, go to Settings & Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate Account — no reason required.
- To delete, go to Settings & Privacy, then Data Privacy, then Request to Delete Your Account, and confirm your choice.
- LinkedIn will ask why you are leaving, but you do not have to answer — you can skip the survey and proceed.
How to deactivate your LinkedIn account
Deactivation is the faster, reversible option. Your profile disappears from search results and other people's feeds, but your account stays in LinkedIn's system. You can log back in at any time and your profile, connections, and messages return exactly as they were.
On desktop: Click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select Settings & Privacy. Go to the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down to Account Management and click Deactivate Account. LinkedIn will ask why you are leaving — you can answer or skip. Click Deactivate to confirm. Your profile is hidden immediately.
On mobile: Tap your profile photo, then tap Settings & Privacy. Tap Account. Scroll to Account Management and tap Deactivate Account. Answer the survey or skip it, then tap Deactivate. The process is the same as desktop.
How to permanently delete your LinkedIn account
Deletion removes your profile, messages, and connections from LinkedIn's public view. The company keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. After 30 days, everything is erased and cannot be recovered.
On desktop: Click your profile photo in the top right, then Settings & Privacy. Go to the Data Privacy tab on the left. Under How LinkedIn uses your data, click Request to Delete Your Account. Read the warning about the 30-day window. Enter your password to confirm your identity. Click Delete Account. You will see a confirmation message with the date your account will be fully removed.
On mobile: Tap your profile photo, then Settings & Privacy. Tap Data Privacy. Tap Request to Delete Your Account. Enter your password and tap Delete Account. You will receive a confirmation with your deletion date.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
After you request deletion, your profile is hidden from everyone except you. You can still log in and see your account. Other people cannot find you, message you, or see your posts. LinkedIn is preparing to erase your data but has not done it yet.
If you change your mind during these 30 days, log back into your account and the deletion request will be cancelled. Your profile returns to normal. After the 30 days end, the account is gone — logging in will not work, and there is no way to recover it.
LinkedIn will not send you a reminder email when the 30 days are almost up. Mark the deletion date on your calendar if you think you might reconsider.
What LinkedIn deletes and what it keeps
When your account is fully deleted, LinkedIn removes your profile, photo, headline, work history, connections list, and saved messages. Your name disappears from other people's contact lists. Posts you made are gone. Recommendations you gave or received are deleted.
LinkedIn may keep some information for legal reasons — for example, if you reported someone for harassment, the record of that report might stay. The company also keeps anonymized data for research purposes, but it cannot be linked back to you. If you have concerns about what LinkedIn retains, you can download a copy of your data before deletion by going to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > Get a copy of your data.
Reasons to deactivate instead of delete
Deactivation makes sense if you are leaving LinkedIn but might want to return. Recruiters sometimes reach out months or years later, and a deactivated account lets you reactivate and respond. If you are burned out on the platform right now but think you might use it for job hunting later, deactivation preserves that option without the 30-day waiting period.
Deactivation also keeps your data safe if you are unsure. You can test life without LinkedIn for a few weeks, then decide whether to come back or delete permanently. There is no rush — deactivated accounts stay hidden indefinitely until you choose to reactivate or delete.
Before you go: download your data
LinkedIn lets you download a copy of everything on your account before you leave. This includes your profile information, connections, messages, and posts. The file arrives as a ZIP folder with your data in readable formats.
To download: Go to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > Get a copy of your data. Click Request Archive. LinkedIn will prepare your file — this usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 30 minutes. You will get an email when it is ready. Download the file and save it somewhere safe before you deactivate or delete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after deactivating it?
Yes. Log back into LinkedIn with your email and password anytime, and your profile returns immediately. Your connections, messages, and profile information are restored exactly as they were. There is no time limit — you can reactivate after days, months, or years.
What if I delete my account but change my mind within 30 days?
Log back in with your email and password during the 30-day window. Your account will still exist, and you can cancel the deletion request. Your profile returns to normal. After 30 days, logging in will not work and the account cannot be recovered.
Will deleting my LinkedIn account affect my job or background checks?
No. Employers and background check companies do not rely on LinkedIn to verify employment. Your work history is verified through your employer directly. Deleting LinkedIn will not change what employers can find about you through official channels.
Can I delete my account if I have a LinkedIn Premium subscription?
Yes. You can delete a Premium account the same way you delete a free account. Any unused Premium credits are not refunded — they disappear when your account is deleted. Cancel your subscription first if you want to avoid being charged again, though LinkedIn will not charge you after deletion.
Does LinkedIn delete my account if I do not use it for a long time?
No. LinkedIn does not automatically delete inactive accounts. Your profile will stay active indefinitely unless you deactivate or delete it yourself. You can leave your account alone for years and it will still be there when you log back in.