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How to Delete LinkedIn Account Professionally

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

By Ramsha RiazPublished 7 months ago 4 min read
How to Delete LinkedIn Account Professionally
Photo by Ujesh Krishnan on Unsplash

Quick Checklist to Delete LinkedIn

Step Task

✔️ Log in or recover access

✔️ Go to Account Preferences

✔️ Click “Close Account”

✔️ Confirm deletion

✔️ Download your data (optional)

Are you no longer using LinkedIn or just want to take a break from professional networking? Whether you're simplifying your digital presence or shifting focus, knowing how to delete LinkedIn account is essential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process to delete your LinkedIn profile permanently, the impact it has, alternative options like deactivation, and answer the most common user questions.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be equipped to close your LinkedIn profile securely and confidently.

Related: How to delete Resume Form Linkedin

Why Do People Delete LinkedIn?

Before jumping into the process, here’s why some users choose to delete their LinkedIn profile permanently:

They’re no longer job hunting

Privacy concerns or data fatigue

Too many spam messages or recruiters

Shifting to other platforms

Retiring or changing careers

In some cases, people just want to deactivate LinkedIn temporarily. But if you’re sure about it, let’s go through the steps.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account on iPhone

Want to know how to delete LinkedIn account on iPhone? The process is straightforward:

Open the LinkedIn app.

Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.

Go to Settings → Account Preferences.

Scroll to Account Management.

Tap Close Account and follow the instructions.

This method works for iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. You can also use the same steps on Android.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account Without Email

You can still delete your LinkedIn account even if you don’t have access to the email address associated with it. Here's how:

Go to the LinkedIn login page.

Click on “Forgot password?”

Use your registered phone number or another email if previously added.

Once logged in, follow the standard steps to delete your LinkedIn profile.

If you can’t recover the account, contact LinkedIn Support Center and verify your identity. Once verified, they’ll help you with the LinkedIn account deletion process.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account Without Password

Lost your password? No worries. Here’s how to delete your LinkedIn account without password:

On the LinkedIn login page, click “Forgot password?”

Reset your password using your registered email or phone.

Once you regain access, go to Settings & Privacy → Account Preferences → Close Account.

If you can’t reset your password or don’t have access to the recovery options, you must submit a support request to LinkedIn’s Help Center with ID verification.

How to Delete LinkedIn Account: Full Process

Here’s the standard desktop method to permanently delete your LinkedIn account:

Log into your LinkedIn profile.

Click Me > Settings & Privacy.

Select Account Preferences.

Scroll down to Account Management → Close Account.

Follow prompts, select a reason, and confirm with your password.

Make sure to download your data before closing. Once deleted, LinkedIn data cannot be recovered.

What Happens When I Delete My LinkedIn Account?

This is one of the most important FAQs. Here's what to expect:

Your profile becomes invisible immediately.

All connections, messages, and endorsements are erased.

You will lose access to job applications and profile insights.

Your profile may still appear on Google for a few weeks until it’s deindexed.

You cannot reactivate after 14 days.

Within 14 days, you can reactivate the account—but your endorsements and group memberships may be gone.

FAQs

1. How do I delete my LinkedIn account permanently?

Go to Settings & Privacy → Account Preferences → Account Management → Close Account. Follow the instructions to confirm.

2. How to delete LinkedIn account without email?

Use your phone number or alternate email to reset your login. If access is lost, submit ID to LinkedIn Support.

3. How to delete LinkedIn account on iPhone?

Open the app → Tap profile icon → Settings → Account Preferences → Close Account → Follow prompts.

4. What happens when I delete my LinkedIn account?

Your data is removed, profile is hidden, and you lose all activity. Google may take time to remove cached pages.

5. Can I delete LinkedIn account without password?

Yes. Reset it first. If recovery fails, use LinkedIn Help Center with identity verification.

6. Is deleting LinkedIn permanent?

Yes, after 14 days. Consider deactivating or hiding your profile if unsure.

7. Can I remove my LinkedIn profile from Google without deleting the account?

Yes. Go to Visibility Settings → Toggle off “Allow search engines to show profile”.

Deleting LinkedIn Profile vs. Deactivating

Deleting LinkedIn Profile

Permanent

Data lost

Cannot undo after 14 days

Deactivating or Making Invisible

Keeps data

You can return anytime

Great for short breaks

If you simply want privacy, adjust your LinkedIn settings and privacy controls rather than deleting.

Tips Before Deleting LinkedIn

Download your data archive

Cancel any LinkedIn Premium or LinkedIn Learning subscriptions

Notify contacts if necessary

Back up any content you posted

To get a copy of your LinkedIn data, go to:

Settings & Privacy → Data Privacy → Get a copy of your data

Remove LinkedIn from Google Without Deleting

If you want to remove your LinkedIn from search engines only:

Go to Settings & Privacy

Click Visibility → Profile visibility off search engines

Toggle off and save

This will hide your LinkedIn from Google, Bing, and Yahoo without deleting your account.

Final Thoughts on Deleting LinkedIn

Knowing how to delete LinkedIn account gives you full control over your digital footprint. Whether you’re exiting for privacy, focus, or retirement, you now have the tools to do it confidently—whether you use desktop, mobile, or have lost login details.

Just remember:

Consider deactivating first

Back up your data

Understand what happens post-deletion

Use LinkedIn’s Help Center if you're stuck

how to

About the Creator

Ramsha Riaz

Ramsha Riaz is a tech and career content writer specializing in AI, job trends, resume writing, and LinkedIn optimization. He shares actionable advice and insights to help professionals stay updated.

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