LinkedIn account deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your LinkedIn account, the company keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind. After those 30 days, your profile, connections, messages, and all associated information are removed from LinkedIn's servers. You cannot recover a deleted account after this window closes, so take time to read anything you need first.

LinkedIn does not charge a monthly fee for a basic account, but if you have a paid subscription (Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter), canceling that subscription is separate from deleting your account. You can cancel a subscription and keep your free account active, or you can delete the entire account. This guide covers full account deletion.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your LinkedIn account is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone, so read your data first if you need it.
  • The deletion process happens in your account settings under "Account preferences" and requires you to confirm your choice.
  • If you have a paid subscription, you must cancel that separately before or after deleting your account.
  • During the 30-day waiting period, you can reactivate your account by logging back in, which stops the deletion process.
  • LinkedIn will send a confirmation email when you request deletion and another when the 30 days have passed.

read your data before you delete

LinkedIn stores your profile information, connection list, messages, and any documents you uploaded. If you want to keep a copy of any of this, read it before you start the deletion process. Once the 30-day window closes, this information is gone.

To read your data, go to your LinkedIn profile and click the "Me" icon in the top right corner. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Data privacy." Under "Get a copy of your data," click "Request archive." LinkedIn will prepare a file and email it to you within a few hours. This file contains your profile, connections, and message history in a format you can open on your computer.

How to delete your account through settings

Open LinkedIn in a web browser (the mobile app does not have a delete option). Click the "Me" icon in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy."

On the left side of the screen, click "Account preferences." Scroll down until you see "Close account" near the bottom of the page. Click on it. LinkedIn will show you a warning that explains the 30-day waiting period and what will be deleted. Read through this carefully.

Click the button that says "Continue with account closure" or similar wording (the exact text varies by region). LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your reason for leaving and may offer you options to pause your account instead. If you are certain you want to delete, select the option that confirms deletion and click the final confirmation button.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your profile becomes invisible to other LinkedIn users when ready. Your connections cannot see your profile, search results will not show you, and your messages will not be delivered. However, your account still exists on LinkedIn's servers during these 30 days.

If you change your mind, you can stop the deletion by logging back into your account with your email and password. This will cancel the deletion process, and your account will return to normal. You will not lose any data. If you do log back in, you will need to request deletion again if you still want to close the account.

After 30 days pass, LinkedIn sends a final confirmation email. At this point, your account and all its data are permanently removed and cannot be recovered under any circumstances.

Canceling a LinkedIn paid subscription separately

If you pay for LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter, you need to cancel that subscription to stop being charged. Deleting your account does not automatically cancel a paid subscription — you must do this separately, or you may continue to be billed.

To cancel a subscription, click the "Me" icon and go to "Settings and privacy." Select "Account preferences," then scroll to "Subscriptions." You will see any active paid plans listed. Click "Manage" next to the subscription you want to cancel. LinkedIn will show you the cancellation options and may offer you a discount to stay. If you want to proceed, click the button to cancel the subscription.

Your paid access ends when ready, though you may retain some features until your current billing cycle ends. You will receive a confirmation email. After this, you can delete your account if you wish, or keep your free account active.

If you want to pause instead of delete

LinkedIn offers an option to deactivate your account temporarily instead of deleting it permanently. When you deactivate, your profile becomes hidden from other users, but your account and data remain on LinkedIn's servers. You can reactivate at any time by logging back in.

To deactivate instead of delete, go to "Settings and privacy," then "Account preferences," and look for "Deactivate account" (this appears on the same page as the delete option). Deactivation is useful if you think you might return to LinkedIn later but want to step away now. Unlike deletion, deactivation does not have a waiting period — you can reactivate when ready if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting common deletion problems

If you cannot find the delete option, make sure you are using a web browser, not the mobile app. LinkedIn only allows account deletion through the website. Also check that you are logged into the correct account — if you have multiple LinkedIn profiles, you can only delete the one you are currently signed into.

If you see a message saying you cannot delete your account, it may be because you have an active paid subscription that needs to be canceled first. Cancel the subscription, wait a few hours, then try the deletion process again. If you still have trouble, contact LinkedIn's support through the help center at linkedin.com/help.

If you accidentally started the deletion process and want to stop it, log back into your account before the 30 days end. Your account will reactivate, and the deletion request will be canceled. You will not lose any data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my LinkedIn account on my phone?

No, the LinkedIn mobile app does not have a delete account option. You must use a web browser on a computer or tablet. Open LinkedIn.com, log in, and follow the deletion steps through your account settings.

What happens to my messages after I delete my account?

Your messages are deleted from LinkedIn's servers after the 30-day waiting period ends. However, the people you messaged may still see your old messages in their inboxes — deleting your account does not erase messages from other users' accounts.

Will deleting my LinkedIn account affect my job or background checks?

Deleting your account removes your profile from LinkedIn, but it does not erase information that employers or background check companies already have. If someone saved your profile information before you deleted it, they can still access that saved copy.

Can I use the same email address for a new LinkedIn account after deletion?

You can create a new account with the same email address, but LinkedIn recommends waiting until after the 30-day deletion period ends to avoid confusion. Once the 30 days pass and your old account is fully removed, you can sign up again with that email.

Do I need to cancel my subscription before deleting my account?

You do not have to cancel your subscription before deleting your account, but you should. If you delete your account without canceling a paid subscription first, you may continue to be charged. Cancel the subscription first, then delete the account to avoid unexpected charges.