How to Delete LinkedIn Account: Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
Learn how to delete your LinkedIn account permanently on desktop and mobile. Complete 2026 guide with real screenshots, deactivation alternatives, and what happens to your data.
Want to delete your LinkedIn account? The process takes about 2 minutes: Go to Settings & Privacy → Account Preferences → Account Management → Close Account. This guide covers deletion on desktop and mobile with real screenshots, plus alternatives like hibernation if you're not ready for permanent deletion.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion is permanent after a 14-day grace period—all connections, messages, and data are erased
- Download your data first before closing your account (Settings → Data Privacy → Get a copy of your data)
- Cancel Premium subscriptions before deleting to avoid continued billing
- Hibernation is an alternative that temporarily hides your profile without losing data
- 14-day reactivation window lets you recover your account if you change your mind
Before You Delete: 5 Essential Steps
According to LinkedIn's official help documentation, take these steps before closing your account:
1. Download Your LinkedIn Data
Your connections, messages, and profile information will be permanently deleted. Save important data first:
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- Click Data Privacy
- Select Get a copy of your data
- Choose what to download and request your archive
LinkedIn will email you when your data export is ready (usually within 24-72 hours).
2. Cancel LinkedIn Premium (If Applicable)
If you have Premium, cancel it first to avoid being charged after deletion. See our complete guide on how to cancel LinkedIn Premium.
3. Inform Your Network
Let important connections know you're leaving and share alternative contact information. Once deleted, you cannot message them through LinkedIn.
4. Save Important Conversations
Export any critical messages or information from your LinkedIn inbox before deletion.
5. Remove Linked Apps
Disconnect any third-party apps or services that use LinkedIn for authentication.
How to Delete LinkedIn Account on Desktop
Follow these steps to permanently delete your LinkedIn account using a web browser:
Step 1: Click Your Profile Picture
Log in to LinkedIn and click your profile photo or the "Me" icon in the top-right corner of the navigation bar.
Step 2: Select Settings & Privacy
From the dropdown menu, select "Settings & Privacy" to access your account settings.
Step 3: Navigate to Account Management
In the left sidebar, click on "Account Preferences", then find and click on "Account Management".
Step 4: Click Close Account
Scroll down and click "Close Account". LinkedIn will ask you to select a reason for leaving.
Step 5: Enter Password and Confirm
Enter your LinkedIn password to verify your identity, then click "Close Account" to finalize the deletion.
Important: Your account enters a 14-day deactivation period. You can reactivate during this time by logging back in.
How to Delete LinkedIn Account on Mobile (iOS & Android)
The mobile app process is similar but with slightly different navigation:
Step 1: Open LinkedIn and Tap Your Profile
Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the menu.
Step 2: Access Settings
Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right corner of the menu to access your account settings.
Step 3: Go to Account Preferences
Scroll down and tap on "Account Preferences" to view account management options.
Step 4: Tap Close Account
In the Account Preferences section, scroll to the bottom and tap "Close Account".
Step 5: Select a Reason
LinkedIn will ask why you're closing your account. Select a reason from the list and tap "Next".
Step 6: Enter Password and Confirm
Enter your LinkedIn password when prompted and tap "Done" to finalize the deletion.
Your account is now scheduled for deletion with a 14-day grace period.
What Happens When You Delete Your LinkedIn Account?
According to LinkedIn's account closure policy, here's what to expect:
Immediately After Deletion
| What Happens | Details |
|---|---|
| Profile hidden | Your profile becomes invisible to other users |
| Search removal | You won't appear in LinkedIn search results |
| Connection loss | Connections can no longer see or contact you |
| Group removal | You're removed from all LinkedIn Groups |
After 14-Day Grace Period
| What's Deleted | Permanent? |
|---|---|
| Profile information | Yes - completely erased |
| Connections | Yes - all removed |
| Messages | Yes - inbox cleared |
| Endorsements & Recommendations | Yes - permanently lost |
| LinkedIn Learning progress | Yes - course history deleted |
| Job applications | Yes - application history removed |
What May Remain Temporarily
- Search engine cache: Google may still show your profile briefly until cache updates
- Other users' data: Messages you sent to others remain in their inbox
- Company page contributions: Content on company pages may persist
Alternative: How to Deactivate LinkedIn (Hibernate)
Not ready for permanent deletion? LinkedIn offers Hibernation Mode as a temporary solution.
What Is LinkedIn Hibernation?
Hibernation temporarily deactivates your account without deleting data:
| Feature | Hibernation | Deletion |
|---|---|---|
| Profile visibility | Hidden | Permanently removed |
| Data preservation | All data saved | All data deleted |
| Reactivation | Log in anytime | 14 days only |
| Connections | Preserved | Lost forever |
| Messages | Preserved | Deleted |
How to Hibernate Your LinkedIn Account
- Go to Settings & Privacy
- Click Account Preferences
- Select Account Management
- Click Hibernate Account
- Select a reason and confirm
To reactivate, simply log back into your account at any time.
When to Choose Hibernation Over Deletion
Choose Hibernation if you:
- Need a break from LinkedIn but may return
- Want to preserve your connections and history
- Are concerned about data security temporarily
- Plan to use LinkedIn again in the future
Choose Deletion if you:
- Are certain you won't use LinkedIn again
- Want all your data permanently removed
- Have privacy concerns requiring full erasure
- Are closing a duplicate account
How to Reactivate a Deleted LinkedIn Account
Changed your mind? You have 14 days to recover your account:
- Go to linkedin.com
- Sign in with your email and password
- LinkedIn will prompt you to reactivate
- Click "Reactivate" to restore your account
What's Restored:
- Your profile and connections
- Messages and conversation history
- Most account settings
What May Not Be Restored:
- Group memberships
- Some endorsements
- LinkedIn Learning progress
After 14 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Managing Duplicate LinkedIn Accounts
Have multiple LinkedIn accounts? According to LinkedIn's Terms of Service, you can only have one account. Here's how to handle duplicates:
Option 1: Delete the Duplicate
Follow the deletion steps above for the account you want to remove.
Option 2: Merge Accounts
LinkedIn doesn't offer automatic merging, but you can:
- Decide which account to keep (usually the one with more connections)
- Export data from the duplicate account
- Manually add important connections to your primary account
- Delete the duplicate account
Why People Delete Their LinkedIn Accounts
Common reasons for account deletion include:
| Reason | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Privacy concerns | 35% |
| Too much spam/messages | 28% |
| Not using the platform | 22% |
| Career change/retirement | 10% |
| Platform fatigue | 5% |
Source: Industry surveys, 2025-2026
Privacy and Security Concerns
If privacy is your main concern, consider these alternatives before deletion:
- Adjust privacy settings to limit profile visibility
- Use LinkedIn Private Mode when browsing
- Remove sensitive information from your profile
- Disable contact sync to prevent data sharing
A Better Alternative: Strategic LinkedIn Management
Before deleting, consider whether you're leaving opportunities on the table. LinkedIn remains the #1 platform for professional networking, with over 1 billion users.
Instead of deletion, you might:
- Optimize your profile for better opportunities
- Set boundaries with messaging preferences
- Use automation wisely for engagement without burnout
- Build inbound authority so the right people come to you
How ConnectSafely.ai Can Help
If LinkedIn feels overwhelming but valuable, ConnectSafely.ai offers a middle ground:
- Strategic engagement without manual effort
- Authority building that attracts the right connections
- Platform-compliant automation that's safe and effective
- $39/month to transform LinkedIn from a chore to an asset
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I permanently delete my LinkedIn account?
Go to Settings & Privacy → Account Preferences → Account Management → Close Account. Enter your password to confirm. Your account enters a 14-day grace period before permanent deletion.
Can I reactivate my LinkedIn after deleting it?
Yes, within 14 days. Simply log back into your account and LinkedIn will prompt you to reactivate. After 14 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
What happens to my data when I delete LinkedIn?
All data is permanently deleted after the 14-day grace period, including your profile, connections, messages, endorsements, and LinkedIn Learning progress. Download your data before deleting.
How do I deactivate LinkedIn temporarily?
Use Hibernation Mode instead of deletion. Go to Settings & Privacy → Account Preferences → Account Management → Hibernate Account. Your data is preserved and you can reactivate anytime.
Can I delete my LinkedIn account on my phone?
Yes. Open the LinkedIn app → tap your profile picture → Settings → Account Preferences → Close Account. The process is similar to desktop with the same 14-day grace period.
Will deleting LinkedIn remove me from Google search?
Your profile will no longer be indexed by LinkedIn, but cached versions may appear in Google temporarily. Use Google's removal request tool if needed.
How do I delete a LinkedIn account without the password?
You'll need to reset your password first. Click "Forgot password" on the login page, verify your identity via email or phone, then proceed with account deletion.
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