If you’re considering taking a break from LinkedIn or want to manage your online presence, deactivating your account is a straightforward process. Whether you’re focused on privacy, streamlining your professional profiles, or simply need a digital detox, this guide will provide you with all the necessary steps to deactivate your LinkedIn account effectively. We will walk you through deactivating your account temporarily, deleting it permanently, and also cover essential steps like backing up your data beforehand.
Temporarily Deactivating Your LinkedIn Account: The Hibernate Option
LinkedIn’s temporary deactivation feature, often referred to as “hibernating” your account, allows you to step away from the platform without permanently deleting your profile. This option hides your profile from public view while preserving your data and connections for when you decide to return. Here’s how to deactivate your LinkedIn profile temporarily across different devices:
Deactivating on a Desktop Computer
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy: Once logged into your LinkedIn account on your desktop, click on your profile picture located at the top right corner of the page. From the dropdown menu that appears, select “Settings & Privacy.”
-
Access Account Management: On the “Settings & Privacy” page, look for the “Account preferences” section, usually found on the left-hand menu. Within this section, locate and click on “Account management.”
-
Initiate Hibernate Account: Under “Account management,” you will find the option to “Hibernate account.” Click on this option to start the temporary deactivation process.
- Provide Reason and Confirm: LinkedIn will ask you to select a reason for temporarily deactivating your account. Choose the most relevant option from the list and click “Next.” For security purposes, you will be prompted to enter your password. After entering your password, click “Hibernate account” to finalize the temporary deactivation.
Deactivating on Android Devices
- Open the LinkedIn App: Launch the LinkedIn app on your Android smartphone or tablet.
-
Access Settings via Profile Menu: Tap on your profile picture, usually located in the top left corner of the app interface, to open the side menu. Scroll down this menu and select “Settings.”
-
Navigate to Account Preferences: Within the “Settings” menu, tap on “Account preferences.”
-
Hibernate Account Option: Scroll down to the “Account management” section and tap on “Hibernate account.”
-
Confirmation and Password: You may be asked to provide a reason for deactivating. Select an option and tap “Next.” Enter your LinkedIn password when prompted and then tap “Hibernate account” to complete the temporary deactivation on your Android device.
Deactivating on iPhones
-
Launch the LinkedIn iOS App: Open the LinkedIn application on your iPhone.
-
Go to Settings: Tap on “Settings,” typically found at the bottom of your screen in the app’s navigation menu.
-
Account Preferences: In the “Settings” menu, select “Account preferences.”
-
Hibernate Account: Under the “Account management” section, tap on “Hibernate account.”
-
Finalize Deactivation: Tap “Next,” enter your password for verification, and then tap “Hibernate account” to temporarily deactivate your LinkedIn profile from your iPhone.
Permanently Deleting Your LinkedIn Account
If you’re certain about leaving LinkedIn for good, you can permanently delete your account. It’s crucial to understand that this action is irreversible. Deleting your account will erase all your profile data, connections, endorsements, and recommendations permanently. Here’s how to permanently delete your LinkedIn account:
Deleting Your Account on Desktop
-
Access Settings & Privacy: Log in to your LinkedIn account on your desktop browser. Click on your profile icon at the top right corner and select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
-
Navigate to Account Management: In the left-hand menu, select “Account preferences” and then go to “Account management.”
-
Close Account Option: Under “Account management,” find and select the “Close account” option.
-
Specify Reason and Confirm Deletion: LinkedIn will ask you to specify why you are closing your account. Select a reason and click “Continue.” You will then be asked to re-enter your password for security verification. Finally, click “Close account” to permanently delete your LinkedIn profile.
Deleting Your Account on Android
-
Open LinkedIn App and Access Menu: Open the LinkedIn app on your Android device and log in. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner to open the menu.
-
Go to Settings and Account Preferences: Select “Settings” from the menu, and then choose “Account preferences.”
-
Close Account: Scroll down and select the “Close account” option.
-
Confirm and Enter Password: Tap “Continue,” select a reason for closing your account, enter your password, and tap “Done” to permanently delete your account from your Android device.
Deleting Your Account on iPhone
-
Launch LinkedIn App and Go to Settings: Open the LinkedIn app on your iPhone and log in. Tap your profile picture at the top left and select “Settings.”
-
Account Preferences and Close Account: Choose “Account preferences,” and under “Account management,” tap “Close account.”
-
Final Confirmation: Tap “Continue,” select a reason for closing, enter your password, and tap “Done” to permanently delete your LinkedIn profile from your iPhone.
Backing Up Your LinkedIn Data Before Deletion
Before you proceed with deleting your LinkedIn account, it’s highly recommended to back up your data. LinkedIn allows you to request an archive of your account information. Here’s how:
-
Go to Data Privacy Settings: Log in to your LinkedIn profile, click on “Settings & Privacy,” and select “Data privacy” from the left menu.
-
Request Data Archive: Under “How LinkedIn uses your data,” find and select “Get a copy of your data.”
-
Choose Data to Archive and Request: Decide whether you want to download your entire data archive or specific data types. Click the “Request archive” button to start the backup process. LinkedIn will notify you when your data archive is ready for download.
Frequently Asked Questions about LinkedIn Account Deactivation and Deletion
How long does permanent deletion of a LinkedIn account take?
The permanent deletion process can take between 7 to 30 days. Even after deletion, some indexed information might still appear in search engine results for a while.
Can I reactivate a deactivated LinkedIn profile?
Yes, if you have temporarily deactivated (hibernated) your account, you can reactivate it simply by logging back in with your email and password.
Can I reactivate a deleted LinkedIn profile?
If you deleted your LinkedIn account less than 14 days ago, you might be able to reactivate it. Go to the LinkedIn login page, enter your email and password, and follow the prompts to reactivate. However, reactivation after 14 days might not be possible, and your data may be permanently lost.
How to deactivate a LinkedIn company page?
To deactivate a company page, go to the admin view of your company page, select “Admin tools,” and choose the “Deactivate page” option. Confirm your decision to deactivate the page.
What Happens After Deleting Your LinkedIn Account?
Once you delete your LinkedIn account:
- Data Removal: Your profile, connections, endorsements, and recommendations are permanently removed from LinkedIn.
- Irreversible Action: You cannot recover your data or profile once the deletion process is complete (except possibly within the 14-day reactivation window).
- Search Engine Cache: Search engines may still display cached snippets of your profile for some time until their indexes are updated.
- Network Impact: Deleting your account will sever your connections on LinkedIn. Consider informing your important contacts beforehand if you wish to maintain those relationships outside of LinkedIn.
Conclusion
Whether you choose to temporarily deactivate or permanently delete your LinkedIn account, understanding the steps and consequences is crucial. This guide provides you with a comprehensive walkthrough to manage your LinkedIn presence effectively. Remember to consider backing up your data and informing your network before making permanent changes to your LinkedIn profile.
