LinkedIn deletion is permanent and takes 30 days

When you delete your LinkedIn account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. After that 30-day window closes, your profile, messages, connections, and all associated data are removed permanently and cannot be recovered. During those 30 days, your account is deactivated — people cannot find you or message you, but LinkedIn still holds your information in case you want to reactivate.

The deletion process itself takes only a few minutes. You do not need to contact LinkedIn support or provide a reason. You can start the deletion from your account settings on any device with internet access.

Key Takeaways

  • Deleting your account is permanent after 30 days, so read any messages or documents you want to keep before you start the deletion process.
  • You have 30 days to reactivate your account by logging back in — after that window closes, LinkedIn permanently removes all your data.
  • The deletion process takes place in your account settings under "Account preferences" and requires you to confirm your choice twice.
  • If you want to keep your professional information but stop using LinkedIn, deactivating your account is a reversible alternative to deletion.

How to delete your account in five steps

Start by logging into your LinkedIn account on a computer or the mobile app. On a computer, click your profile photo in the top right corner, then select "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu. On the mobile app, tap the profile icon at the bottom, then tap the settings gear icon.

Once you are in settings, look for the section labeled "Account preferences" or "Account management" — the exact name varies slightly depending on whether you are on desktop or mobile. Click or tap "Close account." LinkedIn will show you a warning that explains deletion is permanent after 30 days. Read through the options: you can choose to deactivate (reversible) or delete (permanent after 30 days). Select "Delete account."

LinkedIn will ask you to confirm your password and select a reason for leaving — the reason is optional and does not affect whether your account is deleted. After you submit, you will see a confirmation message. Your account is now deactivated and will be fully deleted in 30 days unless you log back in to cancel the deletion.

What happens to your data during the 30-day window

During the 30 days after you request deletion, your profile is hidden from search results and other users cannot view it or send you messages. However, LinkedIn keeps all your data — your messages, connections, profile information, and any documents you uploaded — stored on their servers. If you log back into your account at any point during this window, your account reactivates when ready and everything returns to normal.

After the 30 days expire, LinkedIn permanently deletes all of this information. You cannot recover messages, connection lists, or any other content once the deletion is final. This is why downloading important information before you request deletion is important.

read your data before deletion

LinkedIn allows you to read a copy of your account data, including your profile information, messages, and connections. To do this, go to "Settings and privacy," then "Data privacy," then "Get a copy of your data." LinkedIn will prepare a file and send it to your email address within a few hours or days, depending on how much data you have.

The file is a compressed folder containing your information in readable formats. You can open it on any computer and save the contents — your message history, connection list, or profile details — before you delete your account. This is especially useful if you want to keep a record of professional contacts or important conversations.

Deactivation versus deletion: which one to choose

Deactivation hides your profile from other users but keeps your account and data intact on LinkedIn's servers. You can reactivate at any time by logging back in, and everything returns exactly as it was. Your profile will not appear in searches, and people cannot message you, but the account still exists.

Deletion removes your account and all associated data permanently after 30 days. You cannot recover anything once the 30-day window closes. Choose deletion if you are certain you will never use LinkedIn again. Choose deactivation if you might want to return in the future or want to keep your options open.

Many people deactivate first to see if they miss the platform, then delete later if they are confident in their decision. You can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you want — there is no penalty or limit.

What to do if you change your mind during the 30 days

If you request deletion but change your mind within the 30-day window, straightforward log back into your LinkedIn account using your email and password. Your account will reactivate when ready, and all your data will be restored. Your connections, messages, profile information, and any documents will be exactly as they were before you requested deletion.

There is no penalty for reactivating, and you can do this as many times as you want during the 30-day period. Once the 30 days have passed, however, reactivation is no longer possible — the account and all its data are permanently gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my LinkedIn account on the mobile app?

Yes. Open the LinkedIn app, tap your profile icon at the bottom, tap the settings gear, find "Account management" or "Close account," and follow the same steps as on desktop. The process is identical, and your account deletion request is processed the same way regardless of which device you use.

What happens to my profile picture and posts after deletion?

During the 30-day deactivation period, your profile picture and posts are hidden from public view, but LinkedIn retains them. After 30 days, when your account is permanently deleted, all posts, photos, and profile content are removed from LinkedIn's servers and cannot be recovered.

Will my connections be notified that I deleted my account?

No. Your connections will straightforward see that your profile is no longer available when they try to visit it. LinkedIn does not send notifications to your connections telling them you deleted your account. They may notice you have disappeared from their network, but there is no automatic message.

Can I delete my account if I have a LinkedIn job posting or recruiter account?

If you have a paid LinkedIn account for recruiting or job posting, you will need to cancel your subscription first before you can delete your account. Contact LinkedIn support through your account settings to cancel any active subscriptions, then proceed with the deletion process.

How long does it take for my account to be completely removed?

LinkedIn removes your account 30 days after you request deletion. The exact timing depends on when you submitted the deletion request, but the company typically completes the removal within that 30-day window. After that date passes, your account and all data are permanently gone.