LinkedIn deletion is permanent and cannot be undone once the 30-day waiting period ends
When you delete your LinkedIn account, the company gives you 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, your profile is hidden from public view and search results, but LinkedIn keeps your data. After 30 days pass, LinkedIn removes your account and all associated information from their servers. You cannot recover the account, your messages, your connections list, or any content you posted after deletion is final.
Deletion is different from deactivation. A deactivated account can be reactivated at any time by logging back in. A deleted account cannot. If you think you might want to return to LinkedIn later, deactivation is the safer choice. If you are certain you want to leave permanently, deletion is the right path.
Key Takeaways
- Deletion takes 30 days to become permanent, and you can cancel the deletion request at any time during that window by logging back into your account.
- After the 30-day period ends, LinkedIn removes your profile, messages, connections, and all posted content permanently from their systems.
- To start the deletion process, go to Settings & Privacy, select Account, then find the "Close account" option under the Account section.
- LinkedIn will ask you why you are leaving; your answer does not affect whether deletion proceeds, but it helps LinkedIn understand user concerns.
- If you only want to hide your profile temporarily or take a break, deactivation is reversible and may be a better option than deletion.
Steps to delete your account
Start by signing into LinkedIn on a web browser (not the mobile app). Go to the top right corner where your profile photo appears and click it. Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
On the Settings page, click the Account tab on the left side. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Account management. Under that section, you will find a link that says Close account. Click it.
LinkedIn will show you a page explaining what happens when you delete your account. Read through the information. At the bottom, you will see a checkbox that says something like "I understand that my account and data will be deleted." Check that box, then click the button to proceed with closure.
You will be asked to confirm your password. Enter it and submit. LinkedIn will send a confirmation email to the address associated with your account. Check your email and click the link in that message to finalize the deletion request. Your account is now in the 30-day deletion window.
What happens during the 30-day waiting period
For 30 days after you request deletion, your LinkedIn profile is no longer visible to other users. It will not appear in search results, and people cannot view your profile page or send you messages. However, LinkedIn retains your data on their servers during this time.
You can still log into your account during the 30-day period. If you change your mind, simply sign in with your email and password. Your profile will reactivate immediately, and the deletion request will be cancelled. Your connections, messages, and all content will be restored exactly as they were.
If you do not log in during the 30 days, the deletion becomes permanent on day 31. After that point, there is no way to recover your account or any of its contents.
Why LinkedIn asks for a reason before deletion
Before your deletion request is finalized, LinkedIn presents a list of reasons why people leave the platform. Options typically include "I do not use LinkedIn," "I have privacy concerns," "I found a job," or "Other." You are not required to select a reason, but LinkedIn encourages you to choose one.
Your answer does not change whether your account is deleted or affect the timeline. LinkedIn uses this feedback to identify patterns in why users leave. If many people cite privacy concerns, for example, LinkedIn may adjust their privacy settings. If you have specific feedback, selecting the closest reason can help, but it is optional.
Deactivation as an alternative to deletion
If you are unsure about permanent deletion, deactivation hides your profile without removing your data. When you deactivate, your profile disappears from search results and other users cannot view it or contact you. Your name will no longer appear on other people's connection lists.
Deactivation is reversible. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in. All your data, connections, and messages remain intact. To deactivate instead of delete, go to Settings & Privacy, select Account, and look for the Deactivate account option (separate from Close account). Choose deactivation if you want to step away temporarily or are not certain about leaving permanently.
What happens to your data after deletion
Once the 30-day period ends, LinkedIn deletes your profile, all messages you sent and received, your connections list, and any content you posted. This includes posts, articles, comments, and recommendations. LinkedIn also removes your data from their backup systems within a reasonable timeframe, though they may retain some information for legal or security reasons.
Third-party services that connected to your LinkedIn account (like job boards or resume builders that pulled data from your profile) will no longer have access to your LinkedIn information. However, if you previously downloaded your data or if those services saved copies before deletion, they may still have records. Deletion only removes your account from LinkedIn itself.
If you are concerned about your data before deletion, you can download a copy of your information. Go to Settings & Privacy, select Data privacy, and look for the option to download your personal data. LinkedIn will compile a file with your profile information, connections, and messages that you can save to your computer.
If you cannot find the delete option
The delete account option only appears on the desktop version of LinkedIn's website. If you are using the mobile app, you must switch to a web browser to access the deletion settings. Open LinkedIn.com on your phone's browser, sign in, and follow the steps above.
If you are signed into a work account managed by your employer, you may not have permission to delete it yourself. Contact your company's LinkedIn administrator or HR department to request account closure. They may need to remove you from the organization's LinkedIn workspace before you can delete your personal account.
If you have tried the steps above and still cannot locate the Close account option, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, then sign back in. Sometimes outdated cached data prevents the settings page from loading correctly. If the problem persists, you can contact LinkedIn Support through their help center, though response times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my deletion request after I have submitted it?
Yes, during the 30-day waiting period. Simply log into your LinkedIn account using your email and password. Your profile will immediately reactivate and the deletion request will be cancelled. After 30 days have passed, cancellation is no longer possible.
Will my connections be notified that I deleted my account?
No, LinkedIn does not send notifications to your connections when you delete your account. Your profile will simply disappear from their view. They may notice you are no longer in their connections list if they check, but they will not receive an automatic message.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to cancel deletion?
You can reset your password using the "Forgot password?" link on LinkedIn's login page. Enter your email address and LinkedIn will send you a password reset link. Once you reset your password and log in, you can cancel the deletion request. If you cannot access the email associated with your account, contact LinkedIn Support for help.
Does deleting my LinkedIn account remove me from job search sites that use LinkedIn data?
Deleting LinkedIn removes your profile from LinkedIn itself, but job boards and other services that previously pulled your information may still have cached copies. You may need to contact those services separately to remove your information from their platforms.
Can someone else delete my LinkedIn account if they have my password?
Yes, if someone has your login credentials, they can delete your account. To prevent this, use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication in your LinkedIn security settings. If you suspect someone has accessed your account, change your password immediately and review your account activity.