LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion

LinkedIn offers two different paths when you want to leave. Deactivation hides your profile immediately but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days — you can reactivate during that window and get everything back. Deletion is permanent: after 30 days, your profile, messages, connections, and activity are gone for good. Most people choose deletion if they're not coming back.

The process itself takes less than five minutes. You'll need to be logged in, and LinkedIn will ask you why you're leaving — that question is optional, but answering it helps you think through whether this is what you actually want.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile immediately but keeps everything recoverable for 30 days; deletion is permanent after that window closes.
  • You must be logged into your LinkedIn account to delete it — you cannot delete an account from the login page.
  • After you request deletion, your profile disappears right away, but LinkedIn's servers retain the data for 30 days before erasing it completely.
  • If you only want to hide your profile temporarily or change how visible you are, deactivation is the safer choice.
  • LinkedIn will not delete your account if you have an active job posting or recruiter seat — you must cancel those first.

How to delete your account in four steps

Log into LinkedIn on a computer or phone. Go to your profile photo in the top right corner and tap or click it. Select Settings and privacy, then Account preferences. Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see Account management.

Click or tap Deactivate or delete account. LinkedIn will show you two buttons: one for deactivation and one for deletion. Choose Delete account. LinkedIn will ask why you're leaving — you can skip this or answer it. Then click Delete to confirm. Your profile will disappear immediately.

You'll receive a confirmation email. Keep that email or take a screenshot of the confirmation page, because it contains the 30-day window during which you can still undo the deletion by logging back in.

What happens to your data during the 30-day window

For the first 30 days after deletion, your profile is hidden from everyone on LinkedIn — no one can search for you or see your posts. But LinkedIn still has your information on its servers. If you log back in during this period, your account reactivates completely and everything returns to normal.

After 30 days pass, LinkedIn permanently erases your profile, messages, connections, and activity. You cannot recover it after that point. If you change your mind, you have to wait until day 30 is almost over to be absolutely sure, then log back in before midnight on day 30.

When you cannot delete your account immediately

LinkedIn will block the deletion if you have an active job posting or a recruiter seat. You must cancel those first. Go to your recruiter account or job postings section, end any active listings, and wait for them to expire or be removed from the system. This usually takes a few hours to a day.

If you have a LinkedIn Learning subscription or LinkedIn Premium, you do not need to cancel it first — deletion will end the subscription automatically. However, if you paid for a year upfront, you may want to check your refund policy before deleting, because cancelling a subscription sometimes qualifies you for a partial refund depending on how much time is left.

Deactivation: the middle ground if you are unsure

Deactivation is useful if you want to step away but might come back, or if you want to test what it feels like to not be on LinkedIn. Your profile disappears from search results and your connections cannot see your activity. No one can message you. But your account still exists, and you can reactivate it anytime within 30 days by logging back in.

After 30 days of deactivation, LinkedIn automatically deletes your account anyway — deactivation does not preserve your data indefinitely. So if you deactivate and then forget about it for two months, your account will be gone. If you want to keep your account but just hide it, deactivation is not the right tool; instead, adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your profile.

What to do before you delete

Download your data if you want a record of your connections, messages, or posts. Go to Settings and privacy, then Data privacy, and select Get a copy of your data. LinkedIn will email you a file with your profile information, connections list, and message history. This takes a few hours to arrive.

Tell your connections you are leaving if you want to stay in touch with them. Send a message to people you care about, or post a final update saying you are stepping away and how they can reach you elsewhere — email, phone, or another platform. Once your account is deleted, there is no way for them to contact you through LinkedIn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my LinkedIn account from the mobile app?

Yes. Open the app, tap your profile photo, go to Settings and privacy, then Account preferences, scroll to Account management, and tap Deactivate or delete account. The steps are the same as on a computer.

What if I forgot my LinkedIn password?

You cannot delete an account you cannot log into. Go to the LinkedIn login page, click Forgot password, and follow the email recovery steps. Once you are logged in, you can proceed with deletion.

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 history — they contact your previous employers directly. Deleting your LinkedIn profile will not change what you told them about your work experience.

Can someone else delete my account if they have my password?

Yes, which is why you should change your password immediately if you think someone else knows it. If your account was deleted without your permission, contact LinkedIn support through their help center and explain what happened — they may be able to restore it.

Do I need to delete my account or can I just stop using it?

You can simply stop logging in. LinkedIn will not delete an inactive account on its own. If you want your profile completely gone and do not plan to return, deletion is the right choice. If you might use LinkedIn again someday, deactivation or just leaving it alone are safer options.