How to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Profile: Step-by-Step Guide

Thinking about wiping your LinkedIn profile off the internet? Maybe you're switching careers, tired of recruiters, or just want less social media noise. Whatever your reason, figuring out how to delete profile from LinkedIn isn't always straightforward. Trust me, I've helped folks do this, and there are traps people fall into. Let's break it down without the jargon.

First big shocker? LinkedIn makes it kinda hard to find the actual delete button. It's like they're hoping you'll change your mind. And honestly, sometimes people *do* regret it later. We'll cover how to avoid that pitfall too.

Deletion vs. Closure: Don't Mix These Up!

Before you nuke anything, you gotta understand the difference. This is where most people get tripped up.

Closing Your Account (Temporary): This hides your profile. Poof! Gone from searches. But... your data sits on LinkedIn's servers. You can log back in within 30 days and reactivate like nothing happened. It's like putting stuff in storage.
Deleting Your Account (Permanent): This is the real deal. You're telling LinkedIn to erase your profile permanently and scrub your personal data (mostly – more on that later). Once confirmed, there's no magical undo button after the grace period. It's gone-gone.

A friend thought she 'deleted' hers when she actually just closed it. Six months later, an old colleague found her profile when she thought she was invisible. Big surprise!

Feature	Closing Your LinkedIn Account	Deleting Your LinkedIn Account
Profile Visibility	Instantly hidden from view	Permanently removed
Time Limit to Reactivate	Up to 30 days	Impossible after confirmation
Data Deletion	Data retained by LinkedIn	Data scheduled for deletion (see caveats)
Recommendations/Endorsements	Restored upon reactivation	Permanently lost
Best For	Taking a break, temporary privacy	Leaving LinkedIn permanently, GDPR requests

So, if your goal is truly to delete profile from LinkedIn forever, make sure you're choosing the deletion path, not just closure.

Step-by-Step: How to Permanently Delete Your LinkedIn Profile

Okay, let's get practical. How do you actually do this? The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a computer or your phone. I'll walk you through both.

Deleting on Desktop (Web Browser)

This is generally the easiest way. Grab your laptop.

Click your profile picture (tiny one in the top right corner). A menu drops down.
Choose "Settings & Privacy". It's near the bottom.
Go to the "Account preferences" tab on the left sidebar. Sometimes it feels buried.
Look for "Account management" and click "Close account". Yeah, it says "close," but this is where deletion starts. Sneaky.
You'll see options. LinkedIn asks why you're leaving. Pick whatever fits best (or just pick one).
CRITICAL STEP: Next, you'll see two choices:
- "I want to close my account temporarily..." (This is just closure)
- "I want to permanently delete my account..." (This is the real delete profile from LinkedIn option)
Select the second one: "I want to permanently delete my account..."
Enter your password. They make you confirm it's really you.
Click "Close Account" or "Delete Account" (the button wording might vary slightly).

Heads Up: Even after clicking delete, LinkedIn gives you a small window (sometimes up to 14 days, but often less) to cancel deletion if you log back in quickly. Don't log in if you're serious! Logging in cancels the deletion request.

Deleting on the LinkedIn Mobile App (iOS/Android)

It's possible, but honestly, the app hides it better. Why? Maybe they figure you're less likely to delete impulsively on a tiny screen?

Tap your profile picture (top left corner of the app).
Tap on the gear icon ("Settings") usually near the top right of your profile screen.
Scroll WAY down to "Account preferences". Seriously, it's far down.
Tap "Account management" then find "Close account".
Follow the prompts just like on desktop: Choose a reason, then MAKE SURE you select the option for permanent removal ("I want to permanently delete my account..."), enter password, confirm.

I tried finding this on the app once. It took forever! It feels deliberately tucked away. LinkedIn really doesn't want to lose users easily.

What Actually Happens After You Hit Delete?

You clicked the button. Now what? Here's the timeline:

Immediately: Your profile vanishes. People can't find you.
Grace Period (Up to 14 days): If you log in during this time, LinkedIn cancels the deletion. It's their safety net (for them, not really for you).
After Grace Period: The permanent deletion process starts. LinkedIn says it can take up to 30 days for your data to be fully wiped from their systems.

What Data Gets Deleted? (And What Sticks Around)

This is crucial. Don't assume *everything* disappears forever. It doesn't work like that legally or technically.

Data Type	Deleted?	Notes
Your Public Profile (Name, Photo, Summary, Experience, etc.)	Yes	The core stuff people see vanishes quickly.
Connections List	Yes	Your network ties are severed.
Messages (1:1 InMail/Chats)	Yes (From your side)	The messages disappear from YOUR view. The recipient still has their copy unless they delete it.
Group Posts & Comments	No (Usually)	Your posts often remain but show as "LinkedIn Member". Comments might convert to "Deleted Member". Annoying, right?
Billing Information (If Premium)	Yes	But transaction records for payments remain for legal/financial compliance (not in your profile).
Usage Logs & Some Backend Data	No (Fully)	LinkedIn (and most platforms) retain anonymized logs and some data for legal/compliance reasons for longer periods (think years, not months). They can't tie it back to you easily, but pieces exist.

So, if you posted something embarrassing in a group years ago, deleting your profile won't magically erase that post. It just detaches it from your name. Something to think about before hitting delete.

The key takeaway? When you delete profile from LinkedIn, you're removing your identity and active footprint, but digital echoes might linger in group discussions and backend logs.

Things You MUST Do BEFORE Deleting (No Excuses!)

Rushing into deletion leads to regret. Every time. Protect yourself first.

Download Your Data Archive: This is non-negotiable. Your contacts, messages, posts, profile info – it's valuable! Go to Settings & Privacy > Data Privacy > "How LinkedIn uses your data" > "Get a copy of your data". Choose what you want (I recommend "Full Archive") and request it. It takes time (hours or days). Wait for the email, THEN download the zip file. Keep it safe. You might need those connections later.
Remove Connections You Want to Keep: Seriously, grab those email addresses from key people *before* you download the archive or lose access. That archive might have emails, but it's messy.
Cancel LinkedIn Premium/Subscriptions: Deleting your account doesn't automatically cancel paid subscriptions! You'll keep getting charged. Go to Settings & Privacy > Subscriptions, manage, and cancel *before* deleting. This is a common nightmare.
Check Linked Apps & Services: Did you log into other sites (like news portals or learning platforms) using "Sign in with LinkedIn"? Deleting your LinkedIn account might break those logins. Make sure you have alternative login methods set up for those services first.
Forward Important Messages: Any crucial InMails or chats? Forward them to your personal email or save screenshots.
Consider Recommendations: Those glowing recommendations? Gone forever once you delete profile from LinkedIn. If they matter, ask the recommenders for a copy via email *before* you delete.

Pro Tip: Set a reminder for 2 days *after* you request your data archive. LinkedIn often takes its time generating it. Don't delete until you have that file safely downloaded and opened.

Oops, I Changed My Mind! Can I Get My LinkedIn Back?

The panic sets in: "Did I just ruin my career?" Maybe you deleted impulsively. Here's the reality check:

During the Grace Period (Up to 14 days): This is your **only** lifeline. Simply log back into LinkedIn using your email and password *before the grace period ends*. Your account will reactivate automatically. Phew. Your data should be intact.
After Permanent Deletion: Game over. LinkedIn is crystal clear: "Once you confirm permanent deletion, your account closure cannot be canceled, reversed, undone, or recovered." Those recommendations, connections, messages – gone forever. You cannot recover a deleted LinkedIn account.

The only option then is to start fresh. Create a brand new profile from scratch. You'll lose all your history, connections, and credibility built over time. It's a harsh reset.

I talked to someone who panicked-deleted during a job hunt frustration. They realized a week later how vital LinkedIn was for their industry. They were past the grace period. Starting over was brutal. Don't be that person.

Why Does LinkedIn Make Deletion So Hard? (My Take)

It's not really about *you*. It's about their metrics and business:

User Count is King: Big, shiny user numbers attract advertisers and investors. Every deleted account makes that number slightly less shiny.
The "Maybe You'll Be Back" Hope: By making closure easy and deletion harder, and adding a grace period, they bank on people having second thoughts. Many do. They win.
Data Goldmine: Even anonymized, your activity data (what jobs you looked at, skills listed, industries browsed) is valuable for their algorithms and advertising models. Losing active profiles reduces that data flow.
Network Effects: Your connections make the platform more valuable for others. Removing you weakens the network slightly for your contacts.

It's a business, plain and simple. Protecting your data and privacy sometimes means pushing through their friction.

Answers to Your Burning Questions (FAQs)

Q: What's the difference between deactivating and deleting LinkedIn? A: Deactivating (closing) is temporary hibernation. Your profile hides, but you can log back in within 30 days to restore it fully. Deleting is permanent erasure. After confirmation and the grace period, your profile and core data are scheduled for removal. Trying to figure out how to delete profile from LinkedIn means you want the permanent option, not deactivation. Q: How long does it take LinkedIn to permanently delete my account? A: The process starts immediately after the grace period (up to 14 days from your deletion request, provided you don't log in). LinkedIn states it can take up to 30 days for your data to be fully removed from all their systems. Your profile disappears instantly upon deletion request, but backend cleanup takes longer. Q: Will people know I deleted my LinkedIn profile? A: Your connections won't get a notification saying "John Doe deleted their profile!". Your profile simply vanishes from their connections list and search results. If they try to visit your old profile URL, they'll get a "Profile Not Found" error. Group posts you made might show "LinkedIn Member" instead of your name. So, they might figure it out, but there's no formal alert. Q: Can I delete my LinkedIn profile but keep my company page? A: No. Your personal profile is the key to everything. If you are the sole admin/owner of a company page and you permanently delete your personal profile, that company page will become orphaned and inaccessible. You *must* assign another admin (with an active LinkedIn profile) to the company page *before* deleting your personal account. Otherwise, kiss that page goodbye too. Q: I forgot my password! Can I still delete my LinkedIn account? A: Unfortunately, you need your password to confirm the deletion request. LinkedIn requires it as a security step. Your options are:

Use the "Forgot password?" link to reset your password first.
If you cannot reset the password (lost access to the email too), you might be stuck. LinkedIn support generally cannot delete an account for you without verifying you are the owner, which usually requires access to the email or other verification tied to the account.

It's a hassle. Get your password sorted first if you want to delete profile from LinkedIn. Q: Is there any way to recover a LinkedIn account after permanent deletion? A: No. LinkedIn's policy is absolute: "After your account is permanently deleted, you won't be able to reactivate it, and we won't be able to recover any data." This is why downloading your archive BEFORE deleting is critical. Once it's gone past the grace period, it's unrecoverable. Q: Will deleting LinkedIn stop emails and notifications? A: Yes, once your account is deleted and the process completes, you should stop receiving LinkedIn emails and notifications. However, it might take a few days for all systems to update. If emails persist after, say, a week, check your email spam settings or unsubscribe links in those emails (though they should cease automatically). Q: Does LinkedIn actually delete all my data? A: Legally and technically, "all" is nuanced. They delete your profile data, connections, messages, etc., making it inaccessible and disassociated from you. However, like most large platforms, they retain certain anonymized logs and aggregated data for legal compliance, security, and service improvement for longer periods (years). They cannot easily link this back to *you* as an individual after deletion. Your personally identifiable information (PII) is removed per their policy when you request to delete your LinkedIn account.

Thinking Twice? Alternatives to Full Deletion

Maybe permanent deletion feels too drastic. That's okay! Here are less nuclear options:

Massively Simplify Your Profile: Delete your photo, wipe out your summary and experience descriptions, remove skills. Leave just your name. Makes you almost invisible.
Adjust Privacy Settings Aggressively:
- Go "Private Mode": Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Profile viewing options > Select "Private mode".
- Hide Your Connections List: Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Connections > "No" to "Make your connections list visible to your connections".
- Turn Off "Share profile updates": Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Share profile updates > Off.
- Set All Activity Broadcasts to Off.
Close (Deactivate) Instead of Delete: Remember the difference? Closing hides you for up to 30 days. You can always reactivate. It's a good test run before full deletion.
Unsubscribe from ALL Emails: Go to Settings & Privacy > Communications > Email frequency. Turn EVERYTHING off or set to "No Email". Check "Job seeking preferences" too. Stop the inbox flood.

Sometimes, just making yourself invisible and silent achieves the peace you want without burning the bridge entirely. You might need that bridge later.

Deciding to delete profile from LinkedIn is a big step. It's not just about clicking a button; it's about understanding what vanishes forever and what might linger. It's about protecting contacts and data you might need later. It requires a clear head and some prep work.

If you've read this far, you're serious. So, do the prep: download your archive, save those contacts, cancel subscriptions. Then, if you're sure, follow those steps carefully – choose PERMANENT deletion, not just closure, confirm with your password, and resist the urge to log back in during the grace period. Your profile will be gone.

But hey, if halfway through downloading your data you realize maybe you just needed a break? That's cool too. Scale back your presence, mute the noise. LinkedIn's a tool. Use it (or not) on your terms.