LinkedIn allows you to export your messages and conversations for backup or recordkeeping purposes. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to export your LinkedIn messages:
On Desktop
If you are using LinkedIn on a desktop browser, here are the steps to export your messages:
- Go to LinkedIn.com and log into your account.
- Click on the “Me” icon at the top right and select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown.
- On the left sidebar, click on “Data privacy.”
- Under “Get a copy of your data,” click on “Request archive.”
- You will see a pop-up titled “Create archive of your data.” Select the data you want to export – make sure “Messages” is checked.
- Click “Request archive.” LinkedIn will start compiling your data.
- You will receive an email from LinkedIn when your archive is ready to download. This usually takes about 24-48 hours.
- When ready, go back to LinkedIn Settings and click “Download archive.” This will download a ZIP file to your computer.
- Locate the ZIP file downloads and unzip it.
- In the extracted folder, go to the “LinkedIn-Messages” folder. This contains your message history in HTML files.
On Mobile
If you are accessing LinkedIn on your phone or tablet, here are the steps to export messages:
- Open the LinkedIn app and tap on your profile picture.
- Tap on “Settings.”
- Tap on “Get a copy of your data.”
- Tap on “Request archive.”
- On the “Create archive of your data” screen, select the data you want to export. Make sure “Messages” is enabled.
- Tap “Request archive.”
- You will get an email when your data is ready to download, usually within 24-48 hours.
- Go back to the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture > Settings > Get a copy of your data.
- Tap “Download archive.” This will download the ZIP file to your phone.
- Locate the downloaded ZIP file and unzip it.
- Go to the “LinkedIn-Messages” folder – this contains your messages in HTML format.
What is included in the LinkedIn messages export?
When you export your LinkedIn messages, here are some key things to note about what’s included:
- All 1:1 conversations and group conversations you have participated in.
- Full message history including both your sent and received messages.
- Messages are exported in HTML format, with each conversation in a separate HTML file.
- Attachments or files exchanged are not included in the export.
- Message timestamps are included.
- Conversations are sorted from newest to oldest.
Why export LinkedIn messages?
Here are some common reasons you may want to download your LinkedIn message history:
- Data backup – Exporting provides a backup of conversations in case your account is ever deactivated.
- Job search records – Keep a record of job-related messages with recruiters and hiring managers.
- Legal reasons – Have evidence of conversations if needed for any legal proceedings.
- Analytics – Analyze your messaging patterns and statistics.
- Offline access – Read conversations even without an internet connection.
Tips for exporting LinkedIn messages
To ensure you get all the LinkedIn messages you need, keep these tips in mind:
- Export messages before deleting any conversations to have a complete history.
- Regularly export your messages for up-to-date backups.
- When making an export request, check all data types just in case you need them later.
- Save the exported ZIP files to multiple locations to prevent data loss.
- Store exported message archives securely if they contain sensitive information.
- Consider deleting conversations that are no longer relevant so future exports are simpler.
Limitations of LinkedIn message export
While exporting LinkedIn messages is useful, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- Only your own sent and received messages are included, not those of other people in conversations.
- Attachments and media are not included.
- HTML formatting can make large exports difficult to search and analyze.
- Deleted messages no longer appear after being removed from your account.
- Exports only include messages from your current account, not past accounts.
- Messages are exported individually per conversation, not combined.
Despite these limitations, exporting LinkedIn messages provides a way to maintain records of your key professional conversations and interactions.