Removing a contact from LinkedIn takes two minutes and does not notify them

To delete a contact on LinkedIn, open your network, find the person's profile, and click the three-dot menu next to their name. Select "Remove connection" and confirm. The person will not receive a notification that you removed them, though they may notice you are no longer in their network if they check.

LinkedIn keeps a record that you were once connected — the connection does not disappear from either person's history. If you remove someone and later want to reconnect, you can send a new request as though you had never been connected before.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a connection is permanent until you send a new request, but the other person is not notified of the removal.
  • You can remove a connection from their profile page, from your connections list, or from a message thread.
  • Removing someone does not delete messages you have already exchanged — those remain in your inbox unless you delete the conversation separately.
  • If someone removes you, you will not see a notification, but you can tell by checking whether you can still view their full profile.

How to remove a connection from your connections list

The fastest way to remove multiple contacts is through your connections list. Click the "My network" icon at the top of your LinkedIn home page, then select "Connections." Scroll through or use the search box to find the person you want to remove.

Hover over their name and a three-dot menu will appear. Click it and select "Remove connection." A confirmation box will pop up asking if you are sure — click "Remove" again. The connection is now deleted from both your networks.

How to remove a connection from their profile

If you are already viewing someone's profile, you can remove them without going to your connections list. Look for the three-dot menu icon next to the "Message" button near the top of their profile. Click it and select "Remove connection," then confirm.

On mobile, the three-dot menu is usually in the top right corner of the profile. Tap it, scroll down, and select "Remove connection." The steps are the same — you will see a confirmation before the connection is deleted.

What happens to your messages after you remove someone

Removing a connection does not automatically delete your message history with that person. Your past conversations stay in your inbox unless you delete them separately. To remove a message thread, open your inbox, find the conversation, and look for a delete or trash icon (usually three dots or a trash can).

The other person can still see the messages you sent them, even after you remove the connection. If you want to delete a specific message you sent, you can edit or delete individual messages within the conversation before removing the connection.

How to tell if someone has removed you

LinkedIn does not send a notification when someone removes you from their network. You can check by visiting their profile — if you were connected before and can no longer see their full profile or their "Remove connection" button, they have likely removed you.

Another way to check is to search for their name in your connections list. If they no longer appear, the connection has been removed. You can also look at your message history — if you can no longer click on their name to view their profile, the connection is gone.

Removing connections on the LinkedIn mobile app

The process on the LinkedIn app is nearly identical to the desktop version. Open the app, tap "My network," then tap "Connections." Find the person and tap the three-dot menu next to their name. Select "Remove connection" and confirm.

You can also remove someone from their profile by tapping the three-dot menu at the top right of their profile page. The confirmation step is the same on mobile as on desktop.

What to do if you accidentally remove someone

If you remove someone by mistake, you can send them a new connection request. Go to their profile, click "Connect," and add a note explaining that you removed them accidentally. They will see your request as a new connection, not as a reinstatement of the old one.

There is no way to undo a removal when ready, so sending a new request is the only option. Including a brief message increases the chance they will accept, especially if the removal was recent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I removed them?

No, LinkedIn does not send a notification when you remove a connection. They will only know if they check your profile and notice you are no longer in their network, or if they try to message you and see that you are no longer connected.

Can I remove someone without them seeing it in their activity feed?

Yes. Removing a connection does not show up in anyone's activity feed or notification history. The removal is private and only visible if the other person actively checks their connections or tries to view your profile.

Does removing a connection delete our message history?

No. Your messages remain in your inbox after you remove the connection. You must delete the conversation separately if you want to remove the message history. The other person can still see the messages you sent them.

Can I remove someone and then reconnect when ready?

Yes, but it looks unusual. You can send a new request right away, though the other person may wonder why you removed and reconnected so quickly. If you change your mind about removing someone, it is better to do it before they notice.

What if I want to remove someone but keep messaging them?

You cannot message someone on LinkedIn after you remove the connection unless they message you first. If you want to stay in touch without being connected, you would need to use another platform like email or a different messaging service.