Logging out of LinkedIn is a simple process that only takes a few clicks once you know where to look. As one of the most popular professional social networking sites, LinkedIn makes it easy to stay connected with your professional network. However, there are times when you may want to log out of your account. This article will walk through exactly how to log out of LinkedIn on both desktop and mobile.
Why Log Out of LinkedIn?
Here are some common reasons you may want to log out of your LinkedIn account:
- Privacy – Logging out prevents others from accessing your LinkedIn account if they use your computer or device.
- Switch Accounts – If you have multiple LinkedIn accounts for different purposes, logging out lets you easily switch between them.
- Temporary Access – You may want to give someone temporary access to your LinkedIn without them staying logged in. Log out when they’re done.
- Public Computers – Always log out of any private account if using a public or shared computer.
- Troubleshooting – Logging out and back in can sometimes resolve technical issues with the site.
Logging out is good practice whenever you are finished using LinkedIn on a particular device. This helps protect your account and personal information. Now let’s look at how to actually log out.
How to Log Out of LinkedIn on Desktop
Logging out of LinkedIn on a desktop web browser is easy to do:
- Go to www.linkedin.com and log in to your account if you aren’t already.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “Sign out” from the dropdown menu.
LinkedIn will confirm you want to sign out. Click “Sign out” again on the confirmation page and you’re done! The homepage will reload and you will now be logged out of your account.
Some things to note about logging out on desktop:
- The “Sign out” option may also be under your name or the cog icon instead of your photo, depending on your version of LinkedIn.
- On some versions there is also a “Log out” link at the very bottom of the page that can be used to sign out.
- Always close your browser window after logging out to ensure no one can access your account.
- If you stay signed in, LinkedIn provides an option to see all your active sessions and log out of specific locations.
Logging Out All Sessions
If you want to log out of LinkedIn on all browsers and devices simultaneously, here are the steps:
- Click on the “Me” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the dropdown menu.
- Choose “Security” on the left menu.
- Scroll down and click “Log out of all sessions”.
- Confirm you want to log out everywhere.
This signs you out instantly on every browser, phone, tablet, or computer you left logged in. It’s a handy way to fully secure your account in one click if needed.
Logging Out on LinkedIn Mobile App
The LinkedIn app makes it just as easy to log out. Here is how to log out of the LinkedIn mobile app:
- Open the LinkedIn app on your iPhone, Android, or other mobile device.
- Tap on your profile picture at the top of your feed.
- Choose “Sign Out” from the menu.
That’s all there is to it! The app will close and you will be logged out. Next time you open LinkedIn you will need to log back in with your email and password.
Some additional tips for logging out on mobile:
- On some versions of the app you may need to tap the “Profile” tab first before seeing the option to sign out.
- If you stay logged in on mobile, you can review and revoke authorized sessions under app settings.
- Closing the app doesn’t log you out automatically. Always sign out fully when finishing a session.
Does LinkedIn Have an Automatic Timeout?
Unlike some sites and apps, LinkedIn does not have a built-in automatic timeout that logs you out after a period of inactivity. You remain logged in indefinitely until you manually sign out of your account.
This means it’s up to you to remember to fully log out once you are done using LinkedIn on any particular device. Don’t rely on it signing you out automatically after a certain amount of time.
Some users recommend enabling auto-lock on your computer or phone to help secure LinkedIn if you walk away from your device while still logged in. This will at least lock access to the account behind your password.
But for full security, getting in the habit of proactively signing out of LinkedIn whenever you finish using it is a best practice.
Conclusion
Logging out of LinkedIn only takes seconds, but is an important security step. Signing out fully prevents unauthorized access to your account and personal data in your absence. Make logging out the last thing you do whenever finishing up a LinkedIn session, especially on public or shared computers.
With the sign out option conveniently located in the top profile menu, you have no excuse not to log off properly. Safeguard your professional profile and connections by always signing out!