- Go to Settings & Privacy, then Account Management to delete your LinkedIn account.
- Cancel your LinkedIn Premium subscription before deleting your account.
- You have 14 days to reopen your account after deletion.
- Uploaded content and profile information will be permanently deleted.
- Check the Help Center for support with account information and privacy.
Looking to ditch your LinkedIn account for good? Whether you’re done with networking or simply want a fresh start, deleting your LinkedIn account permanently is pretty simple. Here’s a quick, easy-to-follow guide on how to delete your LinkedIn account from both desktop and mobile. Let’s break it down.
Important Things to Know Before You Delete Your LinkedIn Account
Before you hit that “delete” button, there are a few things you should consider about closing your LinkedIn account. Here’s a quick overview of the impact on your account, privacy, and alternative options.
Impact on Your LinkedIn Account and Professional Network
- All connections are gone: Deleting your LinkedIn account means all your connections—business contacts, coworkers, and recommendations—will vanish.
- No more endorsements: If you’ve built a reputation through endorsements and recommendations, these will disappear permanently.
- Professional presence: Say goodbye to your online resume and LinkedIn profile that might have attracted job opportunities.
Privacy and Data on LinkedIn When you delete your LinkedIn account, here’s what happens to your data:
- Your profile picture, posts, and comments will be permanently deleted.
- Any group memberships and endorsements you received will also disappear.
- LinkedIn may retain some of your info for legal reasons, but most of your personal data will be gone.
Alternatives to Deletion Not 100% sure you want to go through with it? Here are two other options:
- Hibernate Your LinkedIn Account: Temporarily deactivate your profile without losing your connections.
- Deactivate Instead of Delete: This allows you to come back later without starting from scratch.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account
Here’s how to permanently delete your LinkedIn account on both desktop and mobile. Follow these steps for a smooth exit from LinkedIn.
How to Permanently Delete a LinkedIn Account on Desktop
- Login to LinkedIn: Start by logging into your LinkedIn account from your desktop.
- Settings & Privacy: Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner. Go to Settings & Privacy.
- Account Management: Scroll down to Account Management and select “Close your LinkedIn account.”
- Select a Reason: LinkedIn will ask why you’re leaving. Pick a reason from the list.
- Confirm Deletion: Enter your password and hit Delete LinkedIn Account. You’ll receive a confirmation that your account will be permanently deleted within 14 days.
How to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Account on Mobile App (iOS & Android)
Here’s how to delete a LinkedIn account from your phone:
- Open the LinkedIn App: Sign in to the LinkedIn mobile app.
- Profile Icon: Tap on your profile picture in the upper-left corner.
- Settings: Scroll down to Settings & Privacy.
- Account Preferences: Under Account Preferences, find and tap Close Account.
- Choose a Reason & Confirm: Pick your reason for leaving and confirm by entering your password.
How to Close a LinkedIn Premium Subscription
Before deleting your account, you’ll need to cancel any active LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. Here’s how:
- Account Settings: Navigate to Manage Premium Account in your settings.
- Cancel Subscription: Select Cancel Premium Subscription.
- Delete Account: Once you’ve canceled, follow the steps above to permanently delete your LinkedIn account.
How to Reactivate Your LinkedIn Account After Deletion
Did you hit delete and have second thoughts? No worries—you can still reactivate your LinkedIn account within 14 days after deletion.
Reopening a Closed LinkedIn Account
- Time Limit: You have a 14-day window to recover your LinkedIn account after deletion.
- What You Lose: While most of your data will be restored, some items like endorsements or group memberships may be lost permanently.
How to Reactivate Your LinkedIn Account
- Login: Just sign back into LinkedIn with your email and password.
- Follow the Prompts: LinkedIn will guide you through reactivating your account. Easy as that!
Key Differences Between Deletion and Hibernation
| Feature | Permanent Deletion | Hibernation |
|---|---|---|
| Connections Lost? | Yes | No |
| Data Deleted? | Yes (mostly) | No |
| Profile Visibility? | No | No |
| Can You Reactivate? | Yes (within 14 days) | Yes (anytime) |
| Endorsements Lost? | Yes | No |
Does Deleting Your LinkedIn Account Improve Online Safety?
When you decide to delete your LinkedIn account, it’s not just about leaving the platform—it’s about protecting your sensitive information. Let’s dive into how deleting your account impacts your data and what this means for your online safety.
How Deleting a LinkedIn Account Impacts Your Data
- Permanently Removed Information: Once you close your LinkedIn account, all your personal information, including your profile picture, recommendations, and endorsements, are permanently removed.
- Privacy Benefits: By removing your LinkedIn profile, you’re essentially reducing your digital footprint. This means less exposure to data breaches, phishing attempts, or unwanted attention.
- What’s Retained: Some info, like messages or group memberships, might linger on LinkedIn’s servers for legal reasons. However, your account data will largely be wiped out.
Why It’s Important to Close Your LinkedIn Account if You No Longer Use It
If you’ve moved on from LinkedIn but left your profile active, you could still be exposing personal data unnecessarily. Here’s why you should delete your LinkedIn account if you’re not using it anymore:
- Unused Accounts = Vulnerability: Hackers often target inactive profiles. Closing your account can prevent unauthorized access to your data.
- Privacy Management: Once you close your LinkedIn account, it ensures that your professional and personal information isn’t floating around on a platform you’re no longer using.
Managing Duplicate LinkedIn Accounts and Merging Profiles
Sometimes people end up with more than one LinkedIn account—maybe you forgot you had one, or you created a second one by accident. Let’s look at how to handle this.
What to Do if You Want to Delete Duplicate LinkedIn Accounts
Here’s a quick guide to merging or deleting duplicate accounts:
- Login to the Account You Want to Close: First, sign into the LinkedIn account you don’t want to keep.
- Access Account Management: Go to Settings & Privacy, then select Account Management.
- Close Account: Choose Close Your LinkedIn Account and follow the prompts to delete the account.
- Merge Accounts: If you’d rather merge your accounts, LinkedIn provides an option to combine profiles without losing connections.
Managing Your LinkedIn Data After Deletion
- Data Permanently Removed: Once you delete your account, your data on LinkedIn will be mostly erased. You won’t have access to your messages, posts, or connections.
- LinkedIn Groups and Memberships: Any groups you’ve joined or content you’ve shared in these groups will also be deleted. If you’re a part of a LinkedIn group that’s important to you, consider saving any relevant content before deleting.
- Reopen Your Account: Remember, you have 14 days to reopen your account if you change your mind.
Conclusion :
Deleting your LinkedIn account is a big decision, but with this comprehensive guide, you should now have a clear understanding of the steps involved and the potential consequences.
- Permanently delete your LinkedIn account to protect your privacy if you no longer use it.
- Consider hibernating your account if you’re not ready for full deletion.
- Manage any duplicate accounts by merging or deleting them to keep your online presence streamlined.
- If needed, you can always reactivate your LinkedIn account within 14 days of closing it.
When it comes to your privacy and online safety, it’s essential to understand all your options before making a move. Follow this guide, protect your information, and make the best decision for your professional life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I delete my LinkedIn account using the desktop version?
Go to Settings & Privacy, navigate to Account Management, select Close Your LinkedIn Account, and confirm by entering your password.
2. How do I access the account closure settings on mobile?
Open the LinkedIn app, tap your profile icon in the top right corner, select Settings, scroll to Account Management, and choose Close Account.
3. How do I cancel my LinkedIn Premium before deleting my account?
Go to Account Settings, select Manage Premium Subscription, cancel it, and then delete your account.
4. Will I receive a notification after deleting my LinkedIn account?
Yes, LinkedIn sends a notification after you initiate account closure, and you have 14 days to reopen your account.
6. Can I recover my LinkedIn account after deletion?
You can reopen your account within 14 days by logging back in. After that, the account is deleted permanently.
7. Where can I find help with LinkedIn account management?
Visit LinkedIn’s Help Center for assistance with account management, password reset, and deleting your profile.
