How to Delete a LinkedIn Account Permanently

Quick Tips

• Before deleting your LinkedIn account, download a copy of your data from the Settings & Privacy section.
• To quickly delete your LinkedIn account, go to Settings & privacy > Account preferences > close account > follow the instructions.
• Consider temporarily deactivating your account if you are unsure about permanent deletion.

Things to Know Before Deleting Your LinkedIn Account

Before you delete your LinkedIn account, you should know a few things. If you close your account, you can recover it within the grace period of 14 days, but once the time limit is exceeded, you will lose;

• Your connections or networks.
• Your LinkedIn Premium membership and any groups you own.
• Pending invitations, endorsements, and recommendations you have received.
• The people or companies you are following.
• Group memberships.
• Your account will disappear from the LinkedIn website and eventually from search engines like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.

If the things mentioned above bother you, you can put your account in hibernation.

How to Download LinkedIn Data Before Deleting Your Account

It is ideal to download a copy of your data before deleting your account permanently. Note that the data will not include the details such as People you may know or Who’s viewed your profile.

Note: You cannot download your LinkedIn account data from mobile devices (Android/iOS). You must use a desktop or laptop to do so.

Step 1: Go to LinkedIn and log in with your credentials.

Step 2: Click on your profile icon (Me) at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.

Step 3: From the drop-down, select Settings & Privacy.

Step 4: Go to Data privacy from the left pane.

Step 5: In the right pane, click on Get a copy of your data under How LinkedIn uses your data.

Step 6: Select any of the two options; 

• The first option lets you download all the details LinkedIn has collected about your profile and activity so far.  
• The second option enables you to choose the data files you want. You can check the boxes you would like to receive. 

Step 7: Once you have selected which data you wish to export, click on Request archive. 

LinkedIn will email you within 10 minutes to two days, depending on the type of data you requested. In the email, you’ll get a link to download the information you’ve asked for. The data will be available for download for 72 hours. 

Once you have downloaded your LinkedIn account data, proceed to delete your LinkedIn account.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account

Method 1: Using a Browser

Step 1: Go to LinkedIn and log in with your credentials.

Step 2: Click on your profile picture > select Settings & Privacy from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: Scroll down to Account Management and click on Close account.

Note: By default, when you click on Settings & Privacy, you will land in the Account Management section. If you didn’t, click on the Account Management section before moving to Step 3.

Step 4: You will be shown what you will lose when you delete your LinkedIn account. Click Continue.

Step 5: Select the reason for closing your account > click Next.

Step 6: Finally, enter your password to verify your account > check the Unsubscribe me from LinkedIn email communications, including invitations box > click Done.

That’s it! Your LinkedIn account will be deleted. Now, what if you want to delete your LinkedIn account from your mobile device using the LinkedIn app? Keep reading.

Method 2: Using the Android or iOS App

Step 1: Open the LinkedIn app on Android/iOS > tap on the profile icon at the top left.

Step 2: Go to Settings.

Step 3: Now, choose Account preferences.

Step 4: Then, scroll down to Account management > tap on Close account.

Step 5: You will be shown what you will lose when you close your LinkedIn account. Tap Continue.

Step 6: Select the reason for closing your account > tap Next.

Step 7: Finally, type your password to verify your account > check the Unsubscribe me from LinkedIn email communications, including invitations box > tap Done.

FAQs