How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account Permanently: A Complete, Step-by-Step Guide

How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account Permanently: A Complete, Step-by-Step Guide

I totally get it. The decision to delete your LinkedIn account is not one that most people make lightly. Maybe your inbox is constantly flooded with connection requests from people you have never met, or your feed is a stream of content that feels more performative than professional. Perhaps you are leaving the corporate world, starting your own business, or simply seeking a digital detox. Or, you might be worried about your privacy and how your data is being used.

Whatever your reason, it is a valid one. I have been there myself. A few years ago, I found myself spending too much time passively scrolling through LinkedIn, comparing my career path to others, and feeling a low level of anxiety every time I opened the app. It was no longer a tool that served me. It had become a source of noise. The decision to step away was empowering, but I remember the process of actually deleting the account felt confusing and a little scary. I worried, “What if I need this later? What will I lose?”

This guide is the one I wish I had back then. It is designed to walk you through the entire process, not just the mechanical clicks, but the important considerations before and after. We will cover how to back up your valuable data, the exact steps to delete your account on both your computer and your phone, and what you can realistically expect to happen once your account is gone. My goal is to make this process feel calm, controlled, and informed. You are in the driver’s seat. Let us make sure you have a clear map for the road ahead.

Before You Delete: Your Essential Pre-Deletion Checklist

This is the most critical part of the entire process. Once you click that final button, there is no undo option. LinkedIn is very clear about this. The deletion is permanent. So, before we get to the “how,” let us talk about the “what.” What do you need to secure before you pull the plug?

Think of your LinkedIn account as a digital filing cabinet for your professional life. You would not throw a physical filing cabinet into a shredder without taking out the important documents first. Your LinkedIn profile contains similar important documents.

Here is your essential pre-deletion checklist:

1. Export Your Connections: This is your professional network. These are the people you have met at conferences, former colleagues, clients, and mentors. Losing this list can feel like losing a digital Rolodex. Luckily, LinkedIn allows you to download it as a file.

2. Save Your Recommendations and Endorsements: These are social proofs of your skills and work ethic. They represent the goodwill others have shown you. Once your account is deleted, these glowing reviews disappear forever. You should save them somewhere else, like in a personal document or on your private computer.

3. Download Your Profile Data: LinkedIn allows you to request a full archive of your data. This includes your profile information, your messages, and your activity on the platform. It is a comprehensive backup.

4. Update Your Contact Information Elsewhere: If you use your LinkedIn profile as a public contact point on other websites, like your personal blog or a portfolio site, make sure to replace it with an email address or another method of contact.

5. Remove LinkedIn Permissions from Other Apps: You may have used “Sign in with LinkedIn” for other services. Go to those services and change your login method before you delete your account, or you might get locked out.

Taking these steps might take you twenty minutes, but it will save you from a world of regret later. It turns a permanent, potentially stressful decision into a simple data migration. You are not losing your professional history. You are just moving it to a safer place.

How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account on a Desktop Computer

The process on a desktop web browser is the most straightforward method. I always recommend doing this on a computer if you can, as the screen is larger and the menus are easier to navigate. Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Sign In and Go to Your Settings & Privacy
First, open your web browser and go to the LinkedIn website. Log in to your account. Once you are on your main feed, look at the top right corner of the screen. You will see a small picture of your profile icon. Click on that. A dropdown menu will appear. From that menu, select Settings & Privacy. This is the control center for your entire account.

Step 2: Navigate to the Account Closure Section
You will now be on the “Settings & Privacy” page. On the left hand side, you will see a sidebar with different categories like “Sign in & security,” “Visibility,” and “Data privacy.” Look for the category that says “Account preferences.” Click on that to expand it. Under this “Account preferences” section, you will see an option that says “Account management.” Click on that. Here, you will finally see the option you are looking for: “Close account.” Go ahead and click on “Close account.”

Step 3: Follow the On-Screen Instructions and Verify Your Identity
LinkedIn will not let you delete your account with a single click. They want to be sure it is really you. The system will now guide you through a few screens.

First, it will ask you to select a reason for closing your account. You will see a list of options like “I am not using my account often,” “I am getting too many emails,” “I have another account,” or “I am concerned about my privacy.” You must select one to proceed. Be honest, or just pick the one that fits best. This is for their internal feedback.

Next, LinkedIn will present you with some important information about what closing your account means. It will remind you that your profile, connections, and all recommendations will be permanently deleted. It will also ask you to confirm your password. This is the final security check. You will need to type your LinkedIn password into the box to prove that you are the legitimate owner of the account.

Step 4: The Final Confirmation
After you enter your password, the final step will be to click the button that says “Close account.” It might be a blue button or a red button, depending on when you are reading this. This is the point of no return. Once you click this, the process is set in motion.

You might see a confirmation message on the screen, and you will likely be logged out immediately. The deletion is not always instantaneous. LinkedIn states that it can take some time for your data to be fully removed from all their systems, but from your perspective, the account is now gone.

How to Delete Your LinkedIn Account on a Mobile Phone (iOS and Android)

Maybe you primarily use LinkedIn on your phone, or you simply prefer the convenience. The process on the LinkedIn mobile app is very similar to the desktop version, but the navigation is slightly different because of the smaller screen.

Step 1: Open the App and Go to Your Profile
Find the LinkedIn app on your phone and tap to open it. Make sure you are logged in. Once you are on your main feed, tap on your profile picture in the top left corner of the screen. This will take you to your “Profile” page.

Step 2: Access the Settings Menu
On your Profile page, look for the “Settings” icon. It usually looks like a little gear or a cogwheel. On most versions of the app, this icon is located in the top right corner of the screen. Tap on it.

Step 3: Find the Account Management Section
You are now in the Settings menu. You will see a long list of options. Scroll down through this list. You are looking for a section called “Account preferences.” Tap on it to expand the options inside. Within “Account preferences,” keep scrolling until you see “Account management.” Tap on that. Now, you should see the option “Close account.” Tap on “Close account.”

Step 4: Complete the Verification and Closure Steps
Just like on the desktop, the app will now walk you through the same series of steps. It will ask you to select a reason for leaving. Then, it will show you the warning about what you are about to lose permanently. Finally, it will ask you to enter your password for verification.

After you type in your password, you will see the final “Close account” button. Tap it to permanently shut down your LinkedIn account via the mobile app. You will be logged out, and the account will be scheduled for deletion.

What Happens After You Delete Your LinkedIn Account?

This is a very common question. The moment you confirm the deletion, a few things happen in sequence.

Immediately:

• Your profile becomes invisible. No one can search for you or view your profile.

• You are logged out of the LinkedIn website and app on all devices.

• All your connections will lose you from their network. They will not get a notification saying you left. You will just disappear from their connection list.

Within a Few Weeks:

• LinkedIn begins the process of purging your data from its active systems and backup servers. They state that this process is usually completed within 30 days.

• Your messages in other people’s inboxes will remain, but they will appear as being from a “LinkedIn Member.” Your name and photo will be removed from them.

It is crucial to understand that you cannot recover a deleted account. If you change your mind a week or a month later, you cannot call customer support and ask them to restore it. You will have to create a brand new account from scratch. This is why the pre-deletion checklist is so important. It ensures that even if you have a change of heart, you have not truly lost the valuable parts of your professional history.

Conclusion: Is Deleting Your LinkedIn Account the Right Move for You?

Deciding to delete your LinkedIn account is a personal choice that depends entirely on your career goals and your relationship with digital platforms. For some people, LinkedIn is an indispensable tool for finding jobs, building a business, or staying connected to their industry. For others, it is a source of distraction, anxiety, or privacy concerns.

The process of deleting your account, as we have seen, is technically simple. The real work is in the decision making and the preparation. By backing up your data, you are not burning a bridge. You are simply choosing to store your professional assets in a different, more private vault.

If you have completed the pre deletion checklist and you feel a sense of relief at the idea of closing your account, then it is probably the right decision for you at this moment in your life. The professional world is bigger than any single platform. Your skills, your experience, and your real world network are what truly matter. LinkedIn is just one way to display them. Taking control of your digital presence, even if that means stepping away from a major platform, is a powerful and proactive step.

You have the knowledge. You have the steps. The decision, and the button, are yours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between closing and deactivating a LinkedIn account?
LinkedIn uses the term “closing” to mean permanent deletion. There is no official “deactivation” feature that allows you to temporarily hide your profile and reactivate it later with all data intact. When you close your account, it is a permanent action.

2. Can I recover my LinkedIn account after I delete it?
No, you cannot. Once you confirm the account closure, the process is irreversible. LinkedIn does not allow for the recovery of deleted accounts. If you wish to use LinkedIn again, you will have to create a completely new profile.

3. How long does it take for a LinkedIn account to be fully deleted?
While your profile becomes invisible immediately, LinkedIn states that it may take up to 30 days for all your data to be completely purged from their systems and backup files.

4. What happens to my messages after I delete my account?
The messages you sent to other people will remain in their inboxes. However, your name and photo will be removed, and the messages will appear as being sent from a “LinkedIn Member.”

5. Should I download my data before deleting LinkedIn?
Yes, it is highly recommended. Downloading your data archive (including connections, messages, and profile information) is the only way to preserve your recommendations, your network, and your activity history after your account is gone.

6. Why can’t I find the option to close my account?
The option is located in Settings & Privacy > Account preferences > Account management > Close account. If you are using a mobile device, you must tap through these menus. If you still cannot find it, try accessing LinkedIn from a desktop computer for a more straightforward navigation experience.