how to delete linkedIn account

Deleting your LinkedIn account can feel like a big decision, especially if you have used the platform for years to build connections, apply for jobs, or promote your work. Some people delete LinkedIn because they want more privacy, fewer notifications, or a clean digital footprint. Others close their account because they created an extra profile, changed careers, or simply do not want their name to appear in search results anymore. Whatever your reason is, the process is straightforward, but you should still do a few things before you permanently close your account.

When you delete (close) a LinkedIn account, your public profile disappears, your connections are removed, and you lose access to your messages and recommendations. In other words, it is not like uninstalling the app; it is a real account closure. If you used a service to verify your account or create it with a secondary number (for example, if you used smsonline to receive sms online), you should be extra careful to make sure you can still log in and confirm your identity before starting the deletion process.

This guide explains everything in a clean and practical way: what to do before deleting, how to close your account on desktop and mobile, what happens after deletion, and how to fix common problems that stop users from closing their account.

Before You Delete: Important Things to Do First

Before you close your LinkedIn account, take a moment to protect anything you might need later. Many users delete their profiles quickly, then later realize they lost access to valuable information like connection lists, old messages, job application history, or profile data they could have used in a resume.

• Download your LinkedIn data

LinkedIn allows you to download a copy of your data. This can include your profile info, connections, messages, and more. If you have used LinkedIn for job hunting or networking, your messages can be extremely valuable, because they may include contacts, offers, or conversation history with recruiters. Downloading your data is especially useful if you want to rebuild your profile later or move your information to another platform.

• Save important contacts

Once the account is closed, you cannot view your connections. Even if you think you will not need them, it is safer to save key contacts outside LinkedIn. You can manually save emails and phone numbers or export your connections if the export option is available to you. If you have a small network, even just writing down the top 20 contacts you care about can be enough.

• Cancel Premium subscriptions

If you have LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter features active, cancel them before closing your account. This helps prevent billing problems, and it also reduces the chance that LinkedIn blocks the closure process until the subscription is inactive. If you subscribed through Apple App Store or Google Play, you may need to cancel from those stores instead of LinkedIn settings.

• Check “Sign in with LinkedIn” accounts

Some apps and websites allow you to sign in using LinkedIn. If you used LinkedIn as a login method, you should update those accounts to use an email and password or a different sign-in method before deletion. Otherwise, you may lose access to those services after your LinkedIn account disappears.

• Consider hibernating instead of deleting

LinkedIn also offers a “Hibernate account” option. Hibernation hides your profile and removes your visibility, but it keeps your account and data so you can return later by logging in. If you are deleting LinkedIn because you are overwhelmed, taking a break, or focusing on work, hibernation might be the better choice.

How to Delete a LinkedIn Account on Desktop (Web)

Deleting LinkedIn from a computer is usually the easiest method because the settings menu is clearer and more complete. Follow these steps carefully:

• Log in to LinkedIn in your browser.
• Click your profile photo (top menu) to open the dropdown.
• Select Settings & Privacy.
• In the left menu, choose Account preferences.
• Scroll until you find the account management section.
• Click Close account.
• Choose a reason for closing your account (LinkedIn asks this to collect feedback).
• Enter your password to confirm your identity.
• Click the final Close account button.

After you confirm, LinkedIn starts closing your account. In most cases, your profile disappears quickly, but some parts of your data may take longer to fully remove from LinkedIn systems and search engines.

How to Delete a LinkedIn Account on Mobile (Android/iPhone)

You can also close your LinkedIn account using the mobile app. The steps are similar, but the menu layout may look different depending on your device and app version.

• Open the LinkedIn app and sign in.
• Tap your profile picture in the top left corner.
• Tap Settings.
• Open Account preferences.
• Scroll down and find Close account.
• Select your reason for leaving.
• Confirm by entering your password or completing any security prompts.
• Tap Close account to finish.

If you cannot find the “Close account” option, update the LinkedIn app to the latest version. LinkedIn sometimes changes menu labels, but the closure option is still available in account settings.

What Happens After You Delete Your LinkedIn Account?

After deletion, your LinkedIn profile is removed from the platform. That means your name, headline, work history, profile photo, and public activity are no longer visible. Your connections list is also removed, which is important because LinkedIn is built around networks. This is one of the biggest differences between deleting and hibernating: with deletion, your network is gone.

Your recommendations and endorsements also disappear. If you had strong reviews from managers or colleagues, those will not be recoverable once the account is closed. The same thing happens with your skills and endorsements list.

Messages are another important point. Your conversation threads may no longer be accessible to you. In some cases, other people may still see parts of the conversation they had with you, but your profile will not be clickable. Depending on LinkedIn’s current behavior, your name might appear as “LinkedIn Member” or as a limited label. This is normal for many social networks that store conversation history for recipients.

Common Problems When Deleting LinkedIn (And How to Fix Them)

Problem 1: You forgot your password

If you do not remember your password, use the “Forgot password” option on the LinkedIn login screen. LinkedIn will send a reset link to your email. If you no longer have access to the email, you may need to recover your email account first, because LinkedIn account closure usually requires confirmation.

Problem 2: LinkedIn asks for phone verification but you do not have the number

This happens often if the account was created using a temporary number or if you changed your phone. If you used a service to receive sms online or a verification method like smsonline , you might not have long-term access to that number. In that case, try these solutions:

Check if LinkedIn offers email verification instead.

Use LinkedIn’s account recovery options.

If you still have access to the number or service used to receive the SMS, complete verification first, then close the account immediately.

Problem 3: Active Premium subscription blocks closure

Sometimes LinkedIn will not allow you to close the account until Premium is canceled. Cancel your subscription, confirm it is inactive, then return to the “Close account” page and try again.

Problem 4: You used LinkedIn to sign in elsewhere

If you used LinkedIn login for another service, update those accounts first. Otherwise, you may be locked out of other platforms after LinkedIn deletion.

Delete vs Hibernate: Which One Should You Choose?

If you are fully sure you never want to return to LinkedIn, deleting is the cleanest solution. It removes your presence and reduces your exposure online. It is a good choice if you do not want recruiters, clients, or strangers to find you.

If you are unsure, hibernate instead. Hibernation gives you privacy and a break without destroying your profile and network. Many users choose hibernation during exams, busy work periods, or personal breaks, and then return later when they want to job hunt again.