LinkedIn gives you two ways out: deactivation or permanent deletion

Deactivation hides your profile from view but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days. If you log back in during that window, everything returns. Permanent deletion removes your profile, connections, and messages from LinkedIn's systems after 30 days — but LinkedIn keeps some data for legal and safety reasons, and anything you posted that others shared or downloaded stays in their copies.

Most people choose deactivation if they might return to LinkedIn later, or permanent deletion if they want a clean break. The steps differ slightly, and the timing matters if you change your mind.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your account recoverable for 30 days; permanent deletion takes 30 days to complete and cannot be undone.
  • Before you delete, read your data from LinkedIn's settings — this includes your connections list, messages, and profile information in case you need it later.
  • Deactivation leaves your recommendations and endorsements visible to others until the 30-day window closes; permanent deletion removes them from LinkedIn's site.
  • If you have a LinkedIn app on your phone, sign out or delete the app separately — account deletion does not automatically log you out of the mobile app.

How to deactivate your LinkedIn account

Deactivation is the gentler option. Go to your LinkedIn profile, click the "Me" icon in the top right, select "Settings and privacy," then "Account preferences." Scroll down to "Account management" and click "Deactivate account." LinkedIn will ask why you are leaving and offer you the chance to read your data. You can skip this, but downloading takes two minutes and gives you a backup of your connections and messages.

Once you confirm deactivation, your profile disappears from search results and other people's feeds within hours. Your name no longer appears on anyone's connection list. You can reactivate by logging back in at any point during the 30-day window — your profile returns exactly as it was. After 30 days, LinkedIn moves your account to permanent deletion automatically.

How to permanently delete your LinkedIn account

If you want deletion to start when ready rather than waiting for the 30-day deactivation window, you can request permanent deletion directly. Go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account preferences," and look for "Close account." This option appears only if your account is already deactivated or if you choose to deactivate during the process. LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your email address and password.

Once you request permanent deletion, the 30-day countdown begins. During this time, your profile is hidden but your data still exists on LinkedIn's servers. If you log in, your account reactivates and the deletion request cancels. After 30 days pass with no login, LinkedIn removes your profile, messages, and connection data from their active systems.

read your data before you go

LinkedIn stores your connections list, message history, profile information, and any documents you uploaded. Once your account is deleted, you cannot retrieve these from LinkedIn. Downloading takes a few minutes and gives you a record you own.

To read your data, go to "Settings and privacy," then "Data privacy." Click "Get a copy of your data." LinkedIn sends a file to your email within a few hours — usually much faster. The file includes your connections (with their email addresses if they shared them), your message history, your profile details, and any articles or posts you published. Save this file somewhere you can find it later, like a folder on your computer or cloud storage.

What happens to your messages and recommendations

When you deactivate, your messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they cannot reply to you or see your profile if they click your name. Recommendations you gave to others remain visible on their profiles with your name attached, even after deletion. Recommendations others gave you disappear from LinkedIn's site once your account is gone, but those people still have copies if they saved them.

If you want to remove recommendations before you leave, you can delete them from your profile one at a time. Go to your profile, scroll to the recommendations section, and click the three dots next to each one. This does not erase them from the person who wrote them, but it removes them from your public profile.

Sign out of the LinkedIn app on your phone

Deleting your account does not automatically log you out of the LinkedIn mobile app. Open the app, tap your profile photo, scroll down, and tap "Sign out." If you do not sign out first, the app may continue to show your cached profile information even after your account is deleted, and you might accidentally log back in and cancel the deletion.

After you sign out, you can delete the app itself from your phone if you want. This is optional — the app straightforward will not work once your account is gone.

What LinkedIn keeps after deletion

LinkedIn retains some information even after permanent deletion. This includes records of transactions (if you paid for a premium subscription), data needed to comply with laws, and information related to safety or fraud investigations. If you reported someone or were reported, that record stays in LinkedIn's system. LinkedIn also cannot delete information you posted that other people downloaded, shared, or screenshotted — those copies belong to them.

If you are concerned about a specific piece of information — a photo, a post, a message — delete it from your profile before you deactivate. This removes it from LinkedIn's public view and from most backups, though it does not may provide deletion from every copy someone else made.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my account after the 30 days are up?

No. Once the 30-day window closes, permanent deletion is final. LinkedIn does not restore accounts after that point. If you think you might want to return, deactivate instead of requesting permanent deletion — you have the full 30 days to change your mind by logging back in.

Will deleting LinkedIn affect my other accounts?

Deleting LinkedIn does not affect Facebook, Google, or any other account. If you used your LinkedIn login to sign into other services or apps, you will need to use a different login method after deletion. Check any apps that say "Sign in with LinkedIn" and switch them to a password or another login option before you delete.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete?

Go to LinkedIn's login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter your email address and follow the reset link. Once you reset your password, you can log in and proceed with deactivation or deletion. If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact LinkedIn's support through their help center.

Does LinkedIn delete my data from their backups?

LinkedIn keeps backups of deleted accounts for a limited time for security and legal reasons. These backups are not accessible to you or the public, but they exist. If you are concerned about data privacy, deletion is still your best option — it removes your profile from active systems and from search results.

Can I delete my account if I have a pending job process through LinkedIn?

Yes, but the employer may not be able to contact you through LinkedIn after deletion. If you have active job applications, consider waiting until they are resolved or contact the employer directly with your email address. Once your account is deleted, the employer can still see the process you submitted, but they cannot message you through LinkedIn.