Learn how to delete LinkedIn account with our simple step-by-step guide, complete with screenshots to make the process painless.
We’ll help you cleanly break free from the professional networking platform without any hassle.
Can you delete a LinkedIn account?
Yes, you can delete your LinkedIn account completely. The platform provides a straightforward process to permanently remove your profile and all associated data.
LinkedIn gives you full control over your account’s destiny, allowing you to walk away (or come back!) whenever you choose.
Related article: Is LinkedIn Premium Worth It? Here’s What to Consider Before You Buy
How do you delete a LinkedIn account permanently?
To delete your LinkedIn account permanently, start by clicking on your profile icon and selecting “Settings & Privacy.” From there, navigate to “Account preferences,” scroll down to “Account management,” and select “Close account.”
LinkedIn will ask for your password and reason for leaving before finalizing the deletion. The entire process takes just a few minutes to complete.
How to delete LinkedIn account on desktop
If you’re ready to permanently remove your LinkedIn presence, you can delete your account directly from the desktop version:
Step 1:
Click on your profile icon in the top right corner of the LinkedIn homepage, then select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
Step 2:
In the left-hand menu, go to “Account Preferences”, scroll down to the “Account Management” section, and click “Close account.”
Step 3:
Click the “Continue” button to begin the account closure process.
Step 4:
Select the reason you’re closing your account from the list of options and click “Next.”
Step 5:
Enter your LinkedIn password to confirm your identity, then click “Done” to permanently delete your account.
That’s it! You’ve successfully deleted your LinkedIn account on desktop, and you will no longer appear in searches or be visible to other users.
How to delete LinkedIn account on mobile
You can easily delete your LinkedIn account using the mobile app as well. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1:
Tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the LinkedIn app, then select “Settings” from the menu.
Step 2:
In the Settings menu, tap “Account preferences.”
Step 3:
Scroll down and tap “Close account” under the Account Management section.
Step 4:
Tap “Continue” to start the deletion process.
Step 5:
Choose a reason for closing your account, then tap “Next.”
Step 6:
Enter your LinkedIn password for confirmation, then tap “Done.”
That’s it! You’ve successfully deleted your LinkedIn account through the mobile app and are now officially off the platform.
Can you deactivate your LinkedIn account instead of deleting permanently?
LinkedIn doesn’t offer a true “deactivation” feature like some platforms (e.g., Instagram or Facebook).
However, you can achieve a similar effect by making your profile invisible or hibernating your account, depending on what you’re trying to do. Here’s how to do this:
Related article: How to Add Your Resume to LinkedIn in Just a Few Clicks
How to make LinkedIn profile invisible
This doesn’t delete your account but makes you practically invisible to others.
Step 1:
Click on your profile icon and select “Settings & Privacy.”
Step 2:
Under “Visibility,” choose “Edit your public profile.”
Step 3:
On the right side, toggle “Your profile’s public visibility” to Off.
Your LinkedIn profile is now hidden from the public and most members. It’s the closest thing to “deactivating” without deleting your account.
How to hibernate LinkedIn account
LinkedIn has rolled out a hibernation feature to some users, letting them temporarily deactivate their account.
Step 1:
Go to Settings & Privacy from your profile.
Step 2:
Under “Account preferences,” scroll to “Account management” and tap “Hibernate account.”
Step 3:
Follow the prompts, select a reason, and confirm your hibernation request.
Your account is now hibernated. Your profile is hidden, and you won’t receive notifications until you reactivate it by signing back in.
Can I recover my LinkedIn account after deleting it?
Yes, you can recover your LinkedIn account, but only within 14 days of deletion.
During this grace period, LinkedIn saves your data and allows you to reactivate everything by simply logging back in with your credentials.
After the 14-day window closes, your account and all its data are permanently deleted with no option for recovery.
How to reactivate LinkedIn account
Changed your mind after deleting your LinkedIn account? No problem.
LinkedIn gives you a short window to reactivate it through a special link in your email. Here’s how to get back online quickly:
Step 1:
Check your email inbox for a message from LinkedIn. You should see an email with the subject line about account closure.
Step 2:
Open the email and click the “Reactivate my account” link provided.
Step 3:
You’ll be redirected to the LinkedIn website. There, click the “Yes, Reactivate” button to restore your account.
Your LinkedIn account has been successfully reactivated, and all your profile info should be restored. It may take a minute for these changes to take effect.
FAQ
Will deleting LinkedIn delete my connections?
Yes, deleting your LinkedIn account will remove all your connections.
Once your account is deleted, your network disappears along with all your profile information and activity history.
If you decide to return to LinkedIn in the future, you’ll need to rebuild your connections from scratch.
What happens when you delete your LinkedIn account?
When you delete your LinkedIn account, all your profile information, connections, messages, endorsements, and recommendations are removed from the platform.
Your data will no longer be visible to other LinkedIn users or searchable on the site. LinkedIn will also stop sending you emails and notifications once the deletion process is complete.
How long does it take for a LinkedIn account to be deleted?
LinkedIn takes about 24 hours to begin processing your account deletion request.
However, the platform keeps your data recoverable for 14 days after you request deletion.
After this two-week grace period ends, your account and all associated data are permanently deleted from LinkedIn’s servers.
Is it a good idea to delete a LinkedIn account?
Whether deleting a LinkedIn account is a good idea depends entirely on your personal and professional needs.
If you’re overwhelmed by notifications, concerned about privacy, or simply don’t use the platform, deletion might make sense.
However, if you’re actively job searching or work in an industry where networking is important, keeping your profile might be more beneficial.
Do I need to cancel Premium before deleting LinkedIn?
Yes, you should cancel your LinkedIn Premium subscription before deleting your account.
If you don’t cancel Premium first, you may continue to be billed even after your account is deleted.
LinkedIn makes it easy to cancel your subscription in the “Subscriptions & payments” section of your account settings.
Why can’t I close my account in LinkedIn?
There are several common reasons why you might have trouble closing your LinkedIn account, including having an active Premium subscription, being the sole admin of a Company Page, or technical glitches with the site.
If you’ve tried the standard deletion process but keep hitting roadblocks, LinkedIn’s support team can help resolve these issues.
For additional assistance, visit LinkedIn’s official support page at https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin.
