LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation or deletion

Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days. During that window, you can reactivate and get everything back. After 30 days, the account is gone for good. Deletion is permanent from the moment you request it — LinkedIn begins removing your information right away, though some data tied to messages other people sent you may stay in their inboxes.

Most people choose deactivation first because it's reversible. If you decide you want your network back, you have a month to change your mind. Deletion makes sense only if you're certain you won't return.

Both options are free and take just a few clicks. Neither requires you to contact LinkedIn support or wait for approval.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile when ready and lasts 30 days before permanent deletion; you can reactivate anytime during that month.
  • Permanent deletion starts right away and cannot be undone, so use it only if you're certain you won't want your account back.
  • You can deactivate or delete from your account settings on desktop or mobile, and the process takes less than a minute.
  • Before you go, read your data if you want a copy of your connections, messages, or profile information.

How to deactivate your account (the reversible option)

On desktop, sign in to LinkedIn, click your profile photo in the top right, and select Settings & privacy. Go to Account preferences and scroll to the bottom. Click Deactivate account. LinkedIn will ask why you're leaving — you can skip this or pick a reason. Confirm your choice, and your profile disappears when ready.

On mobile, tap your profile photo, go to Settings & privacy, then Account preferences, scroll down, and tap Deactivate account. The steps are the same.

Once deactivated, your name and photo vanish from search results and other people's profiles. Your messages stay in their inboxes, but they can't see your profile or send you new messages. You'll stop receiving notifications.

If you change your mind within 30 days, sign back in with your email and password. Your profile, connections, and messages will all return exactly as they were.

How to permanently delete your account

Permanent deletion follows the same path as deactivation but with a different final step. Sign in, go to Settings & privacy > Account preferences, scroll to the bottom, and click Deactivate account. This time, look for a link that says Delete account — it usually appears near the deactivation option or in a separate section labeled Closing your account.

Click Delete account and confirm. LinkedIn will warn you that deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Once you confirm a second time, the deletion process begins. Your profile, messages, connections, and activity history start disappearing from LinkedIn's public systems right away, though complete removal from all their servers can take up to 30 days.

After deletion, you cannot sign back in. If you try to create a new account with the same email address, LinkedIn may recognize it as a previous account and ask you to wait before reactivating.

read your data before you leave

LinkedIn stores your connections, messages, profile information, and activity history. If you want a copy before your account disappears, read it first.

Go to Settings & privacy > Data privacy and look for Get a copy of your data. Click it and select what you want: your profile, connections, messages, or all of it. LinkedIn will prepare a file and email it to you within a few minutes. The file is a ZIP archive containing CSV and JSON files you can open in a spreadsheet or text editor.

This works whether you're deactivating or deleting. Having a copy of your connections is especially useful if you want to stay in touch with people outside LinkedIn — you'll have their names and email addresses.

What happens to your data after you leave

When you deactivate, your profile hides but LinkedIn keeps everything. If you reactivate within 30 days, nothing is lost. After 30 days, deactivation becomes permanent deletion.

When you delete, LinkedIn begins removing your profile, connections list, and activity from their public systems right away. However, messages you sent to other people stay in their inboxes — LinkedIn doesn't delete messages from the recipient's side. Similarly, if someone tagged you in a post or mentioned you in a comment before you left, that mention may remain visible to others, though your name won't link to a profile anymore.

LinkedIn may also keep some data for legal or business reasons — for example, records of transactions or communications required by law. This data is separate from your profile and not visible to other users.

If you want to keep your account but reduce your visibility

Deletion is permanent, but if you're mainly concerned about privacy or unwanted contact, there are less drastic options. You can make your profile private so only your connections see it, turn off notifications, or limit who can message you.

Go to Settings & privacy > Visibility to control who sees your profile and activity. You can also go to Messaging to block specific people or restrict messages to connections only. These changes take effect when ready and don't require you to leave LinkedIn.

If you're being harassed or contacted by someone specific, you can block them directly from their profile. Blocked users can't see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search.

Common reasons people leave and what to do instead

Too many notifications: Go to Settings & privacy > Communications and turn off emails for job recommendations, recruiter messages, or activity updates. You can silence notifications without leaving.

Privacy concerns: Make your profile private, limit who can see your activity, and adjust your data settings. You don't have to delete to be less visible.

Not using it: Deactivate instead of deleting. If you change your mind in a year, your account is still there. Deletion is permanent.

Unwanted recruiter contact: Turn off the "Open to work" signal and adjust your messaging settings to connections only. Recruiters will have a harder time reaching you without you disappearing entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

No. Permanent deletion cannot be undone. If you delete your account, you cannot get it back. Use deactivation first if you're unsure — you have 30 days to change your mind.

What happens to my connections when I leave?

When you deactivate, your connections can't see your profile or message you, but you remain in their connection list. When you delete, you disappear from their connections entirely. Either way, they keep their own connection history and messages you sent them.

Will LinkedIn let me use the same email to create a new account later?

After deletion, LinkedIn may flag your email as a previously deleted account and ask you to wait before creating a new one. The wait period varies, but it's usually a few weeks. Deactivation doesn't have this restriction — you can reactivate anytime within 30 days.

Does deleting my account remove me from job postings I applied to?

Your profile disappears, but your process history may remain with the employer or recruiter who received it. Deleting your LinkedIn account doesn't erase applications you've already submitted elsewhere.

Can I delete my account on mobile?

Yes. The steps are the same on the LinkedIn mobile app: go to your profile photo, Settings & privacy, Account preferences, and scroll to Deactivate account or Delete account.