Delete individual messages one at a time from your inbox

Open LinkedIn and go to your inbox by clicking the messaging icon (speech bubble) at the top of the page. Find the conversation containing the message you want to delete. Click on that conversation to open it, then locate the specific message. Hover your mouse over the message until a three-dot menu appears to the right of it.

Click the three dots and select "Delete" from the menu that appears. The message will be removed from your inbox when ready. This method works on both desktop and the LinkedIn mobile app, though on mobile you may need to swipe left on the message first to reveal the delete option.

Deleting a single message does not delete the entire conversation — only that one message disappears. The conversation thread remains in your inbox with the other messages still visible. If you want to remove all trace of a conversation, you will need to delete the entire thread instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Individual messages are deleted by hovering over them, clicking the three-dot menu, and selecting delete — this removes only that one message, not the whole conversation.
  • To remove an entire conversation from your inbox, right-click the conversation name and choose delete, or use the checkbox method to select multiple conversations at once.
  • Deleted messages and conversations are gone permanently and cannot be recovered, so double-check before confirming the deletion.
  • Deleting a message from your side does not delete it from the other person's inbox — they will still see the message on their end.
  • LinkedIn does not offer an "unsend" feature that removes messages before the recipient reads them, unlike some other messaging platforms.

Delete an entire conversation from your inbox

If you want to remove a whole conversation rather than individual messages, go to your inbox and locate the conversation you want to delete. On desktop, right-click on the conversation name in your message list. A menu will appear with the option to delete — click it and the entire conversation will be removed from your inbox.

On the LinkedIn mobile app, find the conversation, swipe left on it, and tap the trash icon that appears. The conversation and all its messages will be deleted from your inbox. As with single messages, this action is permanent and cannot be undone.

Delete multiple conversations at once using checkboxes

If you have several conversations you want to remove, you can select them all and delete them together. In your inbox on desktop, look for small checkboxes to the left of each conversation name. Click the checkbox next to each conversation you want to delete — they will highlight as selected.

Once you have checked all the conversations you want to remove, look for a delete button or trash icon that appears at the top of your message list. Click it to delete all selected conversations at once. This is faster than deleting conversations one by one if you are cleaning up your inbox.

Understand what happens when you delete messages

When you delete a message or conversation from your inbox, it disappears only from your view. The other person in the conversation still sees the message in their inbox — deletion is one-way. If you sent something you regret, deleting it from your side will not remove it from the recipient's screen.

LinkedIn does not have an "unsend" or "recall" feature that removes messages before someone reads them. Once a message is delivered, it stays in the recipient's inbox unless they delete it themselves. If you need to correct something you said, your best option is to send a follow-up message clarifying or apologizing.

Deleted messages cannot be recovered. LinkedIn does not keep a trash folder or recovery option for deleted messages and conversations. Before you confirm a deletion, make sure you are not removing something you might need later — such as contact information, a job opportunity detail, or an important date someone mentioned.

Archive conversations instead of deleting them

If you are not sure whether you want to permanently delete a conversation, consider archiving it instead. Archived conversations are hidden from your main inbox but are not deleted. You can still search for them and restore them if you need them later.

To archive a conversation on desktop, right-click it and look for an "Archive" option instead of delete. On mobile, swipe left on the conversation and tap the archive icon (usually a box or folder symbol). Archived conversations will no longer clutter your active inbox, but you can bring them back by searching for the person's name or using your archive folder if LinkedIn provides one.

Protect your privacy by deleting sensitive conversations

If a conversation contains personal information, financial details, or anything sensitive, deleting it from your inbox is a reasonable privacy step. However, remember that the other person still has access to the conversation on their end. If you are concerned about sensitive information being shared, the safest approach is to avoid putting it in messages in the first place.

For conversations with recruiters, hiring managers, or professional contacts, consider archiving rather than deleting. You may want to refer back to details about a job opportunity, salary discussion, or interview feedback months later. Deleting these conversations means you lose that record permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a message after someone has already read it?

Yes, you can delete messages at any time — before or after the recipient reads them. However, deleting a message from your inbox does not remove it from their inbox. They will still see the message on their end even if you delete it from yours.

What is the difference between deleting and archiving a conversation?

Deleting removes a conversation permanently and it cannot be recovered. Archiving hides a conversation from your main inbox but keeps it in a separate archive folder where you can search for it and restore it later. Archive a conversation if you want to clean up your inbox but might need the information again.

If I delete a conversation, will the other person know?

No, the other person will not be notified that you deleted the conversation from your inbox. They will still see the conversation in their own inbox. Deleting is a private action that only affects what you see.

Can I recover a message I deleted by mistake?

No, LinkedIn does not offer a way to recover deleted messages. Once you confirm the deletion, the message is gone permanently. If you need the information from that message, you would have to ask the other person to share it again.

Does LinkedIn keep a backup of my deleted messages?

LinkedIn does not provide users with access to deleted messages through the app or website. If you need a record of your conversations for legal or professional reasons, consider taking screenshots or exporting messages before deleting them.