LinkedIn gives you two options: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently
If you want to remove your LinkedIn presence entirely, you have two paths. Deactivation hides your profile for 30 days but keeps your data on LinkedIn's servers — you can reactivate anytime during that window. Deletion is permanent: after 30 days, your profile, messages, and connections are gone for good. LinkedIn does not offer a middle ground where your profile stays visible but inactive.
Most people choose deactivation first because it is reversible. You might want your account back if a recruiter reaches out, or if you decide to job-hunt later. Deletion makes sense only if you are certain you will not need LinkedIn again, or if you want your data completely removed from their systems.
The 30-day waiting period applies to both options. During those 30 days, your profile is hidden from search and from other users, but you can still log in and change your mind. After 30 days pass, deactivation becomes permanent, and deletion becomes irreversible.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your profile when ready but keeps your data; you can reactivate within 30 days by logging back in.
- Deletion removes your profile, messages, and connections permanently after 30 days; you cannot undo it after that period ends.
- To deactivate, go to Settings & Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate Account — no email confirmation required.
- To delete, go to Settings & Privacy, then Data Privacy, then Request to delete your account — LinkedIn will send a confirmation email you must click within 24 hours.
- During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is hidden but you can still log in and cancel the request.
How to deactivate your account (temporary removal)
Deactivation is the faster, reversible option. Log into LinkedIn on a web browser — the mobile app does not have this option. Go to your profile photo in the top right corner and select Settings & Privacy. Click Settings, then find Account in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to Deactivate Account and click it. LinkedIn will ask why you are leaving and offer options like "I am not finding value" or "I prefer to use other platforms." You do not have to answer, but LinkedIn uses these responses to improve the platform. Click Deactivate to confirm. Your profile disappears when ready, and you will be logged out.
Your data stays on LinkedIn's servers for 30 days. If you log back in during this window, your account reactivates and your profile becomes visible again. After 30 days of inactivity, deactivation becomes permanent — but your data may still exist in LinkedIn's backups.
How to delete your account (permanent removal)
Deletion is slower because LinkedIn requires email confirmation, but it removes more of your data. Log into LinkedIn on a web browser. Go to your profile photo, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings. In the left sidebar, click Data Privacy instead of Account.
Look for How LinkedIn uses your data and click Get a copy of your data. This takes you to a page with options. Scroll down and select Request to delete your account. LinkedIn will ask for your password to confirm it is really you, then show a warning that deletion is permanent. Click Delete Account.
Check your email — LinkedIn sends a confirmation link within minutes. You must click that link within 24 hours, or the deletion request expires and you have to start over. After you click the link, your profile is hidden when ready, but LinkedIn keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. After 30 days, your account, messages, and connections are deleted.
What happens to your data during the 30-day window
During the 30-day waiting period, your profile is invisible to other users and does not appear in search results. Your connections cannot see you, and recruiters cannot find you. However, you can still log in and undo the request — just sign in with your email and password, and your account reactivates.
LinkedIn may still have copies of your data in backups or archives that take longer to delete. The 30-day window covers the active systems where your profile lives. If you are concerned about data that LinkedIn collected before you joined — like information from third-party data brokers — deletion does not remove that. You would need to contact those companies separately.
What happens after the 30 days end
Once 30 days pass, deactivation and deletion both become permanent. You cannot reactivate a deactivated account, and you cannot recover a deleted one. If you deactivated and want to rejoin LinkedIn later, you would have to create a new account from scratch.
Your old email address may or may not be available for a new account when ready — LinkedIn sometimes holds deactivated email addresses for a period. If you try to sign up with the same email and get an error, wait a few days and try again, or use a different email address.
Reasons to deactivate instead of delete
Deactivation is the safer choice if you are unsure. You might deactivate because you are taking a break from job searching, or because you want to step back from social media for a while. If a recruiter reaches out in six months and you want to reconnect, you can log back in and your profile is restored with all your history intact.
Deactivation also protects you if you made a mistake. If you clicked the wrong button or changed your mind minutes later, you can undo it when ready. Deletion requires a 24-hour email confirmation, so it is harder to do by accident, but once those 30 days are up, there is no recovery.
Reasons to delete instead of deactivate
Delete if you are certain you will not use LinkedIn again. Some people delete because they object to how LinkedIn handles data, or because they do not want their profile searchable even in a hidden state. Deletion removes more of your presence from LinkedIn's systems than deactivation does.
Delete also if you are concerned about your data being sold or shared. LinkedIn sells anonymized data to third parties and uses your information to train recommendation algorithms. Deletion does not erase what LinkedIn already sold or shared, but it stops them from collecting more about you going forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read my data before I delete my account?
Yes. Before you delete, go to Settings & Privacy, then Data Privacy, then select Get a copy of your data. LinkedIn will email you a file with your profile, connections, messages, and activity. This takes a few days. You can read this file even after you request deletion, as long as you do it within the 30-day window.
What if I deactivate but want to reactivate after 30 days?
You cannot reactivate after 30 days have passed. If you deactivated and did not log back in during that window, your account is gone. You would have to create a new LinkedIn account with the same or a different email address. Your old connections and history will not transfer over.
Will LinkedIn delete my data from backups and archives?
LinkedIn deletes your active profile data after 30 days, but may keep copies in backups for longer for legal and security reasons. The 30-day window covers the systems where your profile is searchable and visible. If you want to know exactly what LinkedIn keeps, you can contact their support team, though they may not give you a specific timeline.
Can I delete my account if I have a pending job process through LinkedIn?
Yes, but the employer may not be able to see your profile after deletion. If you have applied for a job and want to stay in the running, consider deactivating instead, or wait until you hear back before you delete. Once your account is gone, the employer cannot contact you through LinkedIn.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Go to LinkedIn's login page and click Forgot password. Enter your email address and LinkedIn will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password, log in and follow the deletion steps. If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, contact LinkedIn support — they can help you regain access or delete the account for you.