LinkedIn lets you delete your account in one place, but the process takes time and has a waiting period
To delete your LinkedIn account, go to your Settings & Privacy page, select Account Preferences, then find the Account section and click "Close account." LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your password and reason for leaving. After you confirm, your account enters a 30-day waiting period during which you can still reactivate it. After 30 days, LinkedIn permanently removes your profile, messages, and connections.
The waiting period exists because account deletion is irreversible once it completes. During those 30 days, your profile becomes invisible to other users, but you retain the ability to log back in and cancel the deletion request. After the 30 days pass, there is no way to recover your account or its contents.
Key Takeaways
- You delete your LinkedIn account through Settings & Privacy, not through a separate deletion tool or email request.
- LinkedIn enforces a 30-day waiting period after you request deletion, during which your profile is hidden but your account can still be reactivated.
- After 30 days, your account, profile photo, messages, and all connections are permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
- If you want to keep your professional history but stop using LinkedIn, deactivating your account is faster and reversible at any time.
Step-by-step deletion process
Start by logging into your LinkedIn account on a web browser (the mobile app does not have a direct deletion option). Click your profile photo in the top right corner and select "Settings & Privacy" from the dropdown menu. This opens your account settings page.
On the left sidebar, click "Account Preferences." Scroll down to the Account section and look for the option that says "Close account." Click it. LinkedIn will show you a confirmation screen explaining that your account will be deleted after 30 days and that you can reactivate it during that period. Enter your password to confirm your identity, then select a reason for closing your account from the dropdown menu (the reasons include "I'm not finding value," "I'm concerned about privacy," or "Other"). Click "Continue" and then "Close account" on the final confirmation screen.
Once you complete these steps, LinkedIn sends a confirmation email to your registered email address. Your profile immediately becomes invisible to other users, but you will still be able to log in during the 30-day window if you change your mind.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
During the 30 days after you request deletion, your LinkedIn profile is hidden from search results and other users cannot view your connections or messages. However, you retain full access to your account. If you log back in, you will see a banner at the top of your page stating that your account is scheduled for deletion and offering a button to cancel the deletion.
LinkedIn does not delete your data immediately because some information may be cached on other servers or in backups. The 30-day period gives the company time to remove your data from all systems. It also gives you a safety window in case you delete your account by mistake or change your mind about leaving the platform.
If you decide to reactivate your account during this period, click the cancellation button on the banner or go back to Settings & Privacy and select "Reactivate account." Your profile, connections, and messages will return to their previous state, and your account will be fully active again.
Difference between deleting and deactivating your account
LinkedIn offers two separate options: account deletion and account deactivation. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes all your data. Deactivation is temporary and reversible at any time. When you deactivate your account, your profile becomes invisible to other users, but LinkedIn keeps your data on file. You can reactivate a deactivated account months or years later without losing anything.
Deactivation is faster than deletion because it takes effect immediately with no waiting period. If you think you might return to LinkedIn in the future, deactivation is the safer choice. To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings & Privacy, click Account Preferences, scroll to the Account section, and select "Deactivate account." You will not need to wait 30 days to complete the process.
What data LinkedIn removes when you delete your account
When your 30-day waiting period ends, LinkedIn removes your profile photo, headline, work history, education, skills, endorsements, and connections list. Your messages are deleted, though LinkedIn notes that messages you sent to other users may remain in their inboxes (you cannot control this). Any posts, articles, or comments you made on the platform are also removed from public view.
LinkedIn does retain some information for legal and business reasons, such as transaction records if you paid for a premium subscription or ads. The company may also keep anonymized data for research purposes. However, your personal profile and identifying information are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered through LinkedIn's support team.
Canceling deletion before the 30 days end
To cancel your deletion request, log into your LinkedIn account during the 30-day waiting period. A banner will appear at the top of your page with a button labeled "Reactivate account" or "Cancel deletion." Click this button. LinkedIn will ask you to confirm that you want to keep your account. Once you confirm, your profile becomes visible again and your account returns to normal.
You can cancel the deletion as many times as you want during the 30-day window. There is no limit to how many times you can request deletion and then cancel it. However, once the 30 days pass without you logging in to cancel, the deletion becomes permanent and irreversible.
What to do before you delete your account
Before you request deletion, download a copy of your data if you want to keep a record of your profile. To do this, go to Settings & Privacy, click Data privacy, and select "Get a copy of your data." LinkedIn will prepare a file containing your profile information, connections, and messages. You will receive an email with a link to download this file within a few hours.
You should also notify your professional contacts that you are leaving LinkedIn if you want to stay in touch with them. Consider sending direct messages to important connections with your email address or other contact information. If you have recommendations or endorsements you want to preserve, take screenshots of them before deletion, since they will not be included in your data download.
If you use LinkedIn for job searching or have a LinkedIn URL in your resume or website, update those materials before you delete your account. Once your account is gone, any links to your profile will return a "page not found" error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my LinkedIn account from the mobile app?
No, LinkedIn does not offer account deletion through its mobile app. You must use a web browser to access Settings & Privacy and complete the deletion process. However, you can reactivate a deactivated or deleted account through the mobile app if you change your mind during the 30-day waiting period.
What happens to my LinkedIn messages after I delete my account?
Messages you received will be deleted from your inbox. Messages you sent to other users will remain in their inboxes, but they will show as coming from a deleted account with no profile link. Other users will not be able to click through to your profile or see your information.
Will deleting my LinkedIn account affect my job or background checks?
Deleting your account will not affect existing employment or past background checks. However, future employers or background check companies will not be able to view your LinkedIn profile if they search for you. If your current job requires you to maintain a LinkedIn presence, check your employment agreement before deleting your account.
Can LinkedIn support recover my account after the 30 days are up?
No, LinkedIn support cannot recover your account after the 30-day deletion period ends. The deletion is permanent and irreversible. If you need your account back after 30 days, you will have to create a new LinkedIn profile from scratch.
Do I need to cancel my LinkedIn Premium subscription before deleting my account?
No, you do not need to cancel your subscription separately. When you delete your account, your LinkedIn Premium subscription automatically ends. However, if you have been charged for a subscription in the current billing cycle, you may want to contact LinkedIn support about a refund before you request deletion.