How to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Account

Understanding LinkedIn Account Deletion vs. Deactivation

LinkedIn offers two different ways to stop using your account: deactivation and deletion. These are fundamentally different processes with different outcomes, and it's important to understand what each one does before you proceed.

When you deactivate your LinkedIn account, your profile becomes hidden from other users. People cannot search for you or view your profile information. However, your data remains stored on LinkedIn's servers. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in with your original email and password. Your connections, messages, and profile information will return exactly as they were. Deactivation is temporary and reversible.

Permanent deletion is different. When you choose to permanently delete your account, LinkedIn begins a process to remove your information from their systems. Your profile disappears from search results and other users' networks. The deletion process takes about 30 days to complete fully. During this 30-day window, you can cancel the deletion request and restore your account. However, once the 30 days pass, the deletion becomes permanent and cannot be reversed.

During the deletion period, your messages and connections are removed, but some information may remain in limited forms. For example, comments you made on other people's posts may still appear with your name, though they will not link to a functioning profile. Some data tied to your activity may also remain in LinkedIn's backup systems for a period of time.

Many people choose deactivation if they simply want a break from the platform but might return later. Permanent deletion is the choice for those who want to completely sever their relationship with LinkedIn and have no intention of returning.

Practical takeaway: Before proceeding, decide whether you want temporary deactivation or permanent deletion. If you're unsure, try deactivation first—you can always delete later, but deletion cannot be undone after 30 days.

Steps to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Account

The process to permanently delete your LinkedIn account is straightforward and can be completed through your account settings. LinkedIn has made this process accessible to all users who wish to leave the platform. Here are the specific steps you need to follow.

First, log into your LinkedIn account using your email address and password. Go to the settings and privacy section by clicking the "Me" icon in the top right corner of the page (on desktop), then select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. On mobile devices, tap the "Me" icon at the bottom of the screen and look for settings options.

Once you're in the Settings and Privacy area, look for the section labeled "Account preferences" or "Account." Within this section, you will find an option that says "Close account" or "Closing your account." Click on this option to proceed.

LinkedIn will present you with information about what happens when you close your account. Read through this information carefully. You'll see options to either deactivate or delete your account. Select the "Delete account" or "Permanently delete" option, not the deactivation option.

You will be asked to confirm your decision. LinkedIn may ask you why you're leaving and offer you options to stay. You can provide feedback if you wish, but it's not required. Click the button to confirm that you want to permanently delete your account.

After you confirm, you will receive an email to the address associated with your LinkedIn account. This email will contain a link or code that you must use to verify your deletion request. Open your email, find the message from LinkedIn, and click the confirmation link or enter the code as directed. This step is essential—without completing email confirmation, your deletion request will not be processed.

Once you confirm via email, your account enters the 30-day deletion period. Your profile will no longer be visible to other users, and you will not be able to log in. The deletion becomes permanent after 30 days have passed.

Practical takeaway: Keep your confirmation email from LinkedIn safe during the 30-day period. If you change your mind, you can use the information in that email to cancel the deletion request before the 30 days expire.

What Happens During the 30-Day Waiting Period

LinkedIn does not delete your account immediately. Instead, the company initiates a 30-day waiting period before the deletion becomes permanent. During this month-long window, several things occur, and you have options if you change your mind.

Your profile becomes completely invisible to other LinkedIn users during this period. If someone tries to search for you by name, they won't find your profile. Your profile URL will not work. Any invitations you sent that haven't been accepted will be automatically withdrawn. Your messages will still be in other people's inboxes, but they will show as being from a deleted account rather than from you by name.

Your connections will see that you've left LinkedIn, and they may receive a notification about this. However, they will not see your profile or be able to view your information. If you had recommendations or endorsements on your profile, those will disappear from the view of others, though they may remain in LinkedIn's internal records.

During the 30-day period, you can still access and use your account if you log in again. This is a safety feature. If you login to your account during the waiting period, the deletion request will be cancelled automatically, and your account will return to normal. All your profile information, connections, and messages will be restored exactly as they were before you requested deletion. You can use your account normally again without any issues.

If you change your mind before the 30 days are up, you don't need to do anything except log back in. However, if you want to be certain that your account will not be deleted, you should actively log in or contact LinkedIn support to confirm cancellation rather than simply waiting.

After the 30 days pass, deletion becomes permanent. You will not be able to recover your account, your profile information, your connections list, or your messages. LinkedIn will remove your data from their active systems. Some backup copies or archived data may exist in LinkedIn's internal systems for legal or security purposes, but your account will not be recoverable through normal means.

Practical takeaway: If you're uncertain about deletion, take advantage of the 30-day period. Log back in if you want to keep your account, or do nothing if you want the deletion to finalize. This waiting period exists so you don't lose access to your account permanently by accident.

Information to Gather Before Deleting Your Account

Before you permanently delete your LinkedIn account, consider what information you may want to preserve. While your account will be deleted, you can request copies of your data from LinkedIn. Taking time to gather or download important information can be valuable depending on your situation.

If you've used LinkedIn to network professionally, you may want to collect contact information for people you want to stay in touch with. Before deleting your account, you can export your connections list. To do this, go to your "Connections" page, look for the option to download or export your connections, and save this list as a file on your computer. This gives you a record of professional contacts with their names and titles, though it may not include personal email addresses or phone numbers.

LinkedIn allows you to request a copy of your personal data through their data download feature. This is separate from account deletion and can be done before or after you request deletion. Go to Settings and Privacy, then look for "Data privacy" options. Select the option to download your information or request a data copy. LinkedIn will compile your profile information, activity history, connections, and messages into a file that you can download. This process may take several days. This information is yours to keep regardless of whether you delete your account.

If you have recommendations or endorsements on your profile that you value, take screenshots of these before deletion. Once your account is deleted, you won't be able to access this information. Similarly, if you've written articles or posts on LinkedIn that you're proud of, save copies of this content to your computer.

Check whether you've used your LinkedIn email address to create accounts on other websites. Some services allow you to sign in using LinkedIn credentials. Before deleting LinkedIn, verify that you have alternative login methods or passwords set up for these other accounts. You don't want to lose access to other services because LinkedIn is no longer available.

If you have messages on LinkedIn that contain important information, screenshots, or data you need to keep, save these before deletion. Once your account is deleted, you will not be able to access your message history.

Practical takeaway