Where to find and change your primary email
Your primary email on LinkedIn is the address LinkedIn uses to send you notifications, password reset links, and account recovery messages. To change it, sign into your LinkedIn account on a computer (the mobile app does not have this option), then go to your profile photo in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy.
From there, click Sign in and security on the left side. You will see a section called Email addresses with a list of all emails connected to your account. The one marked as primary will have a checkmark or a label saying "Primary". Click the three dots next to the email you want to make primary, then select Make primary.
LinkedIn will send a confirmation message to your new primary email address. You do not need to verify it again if the email is already on your account — the change takes effect once you confirm it in that message.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change your primary email from a computer, not from the LinkedIn mobile app or phone browser.
- Your primary email must already be added to your LinkedIn account before you can make it primary.
- LinkedIn sends a confirmation message to the new primary email, and you must click the link in that message for the change to go through.
- If you want to use an email that is not yet on your account, add it first under Email addresses, then make it primary.
Adding a new email address before making it primary
If the email you want to use as your primary is not already connected to your LinkedIn account, you need to add it first. In the same Email addresses section under Sign in and security, look for a button or link that says Add email or + Add email address.
Type in the new email address and click Add. LinkedIn will send a verification message to that address. Open your email, find the message from LinkedIn, and click the verification link. Once verified, the new email will appear in your list of addresses, and you can then make it primary using the steps above.
This two-step process exists because LinkedIn wants to confirm you actually own the email address before letting you use it for account recovery or notifications.
What happens to your old primary email
When you change your primary email, your old one stays on your account unless you remove it. This is useful if you want to keep access to your account through multiple email addresses. LinkedIn will continue to recognize your old email if you use it to sign in, but notifications and official messages will go to your new primary address.
If you want to remove the old email entirely, go back to the Email addresses section, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. You cannot remove an email if it is currently your primary, so make sure you have set a new primary first.
Troubleshooting if the change does not go through
If you clicked Make primary but did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes LinkedIn's messages end up there. Wait a few minutes and check again, as the message can take a moment to arrive.
If you still do not see it, sign out of LinkedIn completely, then sign back in. Sometimes the change has already gone through even if the confirmation message was delayed. Check your Settings and privacy again to see if the primary email has updated.
If the email you are trying to make primary shows an error or will not let you select it, it may not be fully verified yet. Go back to Email addresses and look for a Verify button next to that address. Click it and complete the verification process in your email inbox before trying again.
Why you might want to change your primary email
People usually change their primary email when they switch jobs and get a new company email, leave a job and lose access to a work email, or straightforward want to use a personal email instead of a professional one. Changing it keeps your LinkedIn notifications going to an address you actually check.
If your old email address is no longer active or you no longer have access to it, changing your primary email is important for account security. It ensures LinkedIn can reach you if there is suspicious activity on your account or if you need to reset your password.
Keeping your account find when changing email
After you change your primary email, take a moment to review your Sign in and security settings. Make sure the phone number on file is current, and check your Login history to see if there are any sign-ins you do not recognize.
If you are changing your email because an old one is compromised or you no longer have access to it, consider changing your LinkedIn password as well. Go to Password in the same Sign in and security section and create a new one that is different from passwords you use elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my primary email on the LinkedIn app?
No, you must use a computer or desktop browser. Open LinkedIn.com, sign in, and follow the steps in your settings. The mobile app does not have the option to change your primary email.
What if I do not have access to my old primary email anymore?
You can still change it. Add your new email address to your account, verify it, and make it primary. You do not need to keep the old email on your account — once you have set a new primary, you can remove the old one entirely.
Will changing my primary email affect my LinkedIn connections or profile?
No, your connections, profile, and all your LinkedIn activity stay exactly the same. Only the email address LinkedIn uses to contact you changes. Your connections will not be notified of the change.
How long does it take for the change to take effect?
Once you click the confirmation link in the email LinkedIn sends you, the change is when ready. Your new primary email will start receiving notifications right away.
Can I have more than one primary email?
No, you can only have one primary email at a time. You can add multiple email addresses to your account, but only one will be marked as primary and used for notifications and account recovery.