How to Remove Synced and Imported Contacts from LinkedIn

You can remove contacts previously imported from your phone or email account through LinkedIn's data and privacy settings. You should also switch off contact syncing on every connected device or account to prevent the contacts from being uploaded again.

Removing imported contacts does not automatically remove people who are already LinkedIn connections.

How to remove imported contacts on desktop

1. Sign in to LinkedIn.
2. Click My Network.
3. Open Connections or Manage my network.
4. Look for Contacts or Manage synced contacts.
5. Review the imported contacts.
6. Select individual contacts or use an available remove-all option.
7. Confirm the deletion.

LinkedIn may also place these controls under Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Syncing options.

How to stop LinkedIn contact syncing

Deleting imported contacts is only the first step. To prevent re-importing:

1. Open Settings & Privacy.
2. Select Data privacy.
3. Open Syncing options or a similarly named section.
4. Turn off contact syncing for your phone, Google account, Microsoft account or other connected source.
5. Repeat the process on every device where LinkedIn is installed.

On mobile, also review the operating system's permission for LinkedIn to access Contacts.

How to remove LinkedIn's contact permission on iPhone

1. Open the iPhone Settings app.
2. Scroll to LinkedIn or open Privacy & Security > Contacts.
3. Turn off LinkedIn's Contacts permission.
4. Return to LinkedIn and remove any previously synced contacts from the account settings.

Revoking phone access does not necessarily delete contacts that were already uploaded.

How to remove contact access on Android

1. Open Android Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Choose LinkedIn.
4. Open Permissions.
5. Set Contacts to Don't allow.
6. Delete previously imported contacts from LinkedIn's own settings.

The exact Android menu varies by device manufacturer.

Does deleting imported contacts remove connections?

No. Imported contacts and LinkedIn connections are different.

• An imported contact may never have become a connection.
• A connection remains connected until you remove them.
• Deleting contacts does not withdraw pending invitations automatically.
• Removing a connection does not necessarily delete the person's contact data from your phone.

To cancel pending requests, follow how to withdraw sent LinkedIn invitations.

Why LinkedIn syncs contacts

Contact syncing is used to suggest people you may know, identify existing members in your address book and make invitations easier to send.

Privacy concerns can arise because an address book may contain:

• Personal and work email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Former clients
• Medical, legal or financial contacts
• People who did not expect their details to be uploaded

Sync only the contacts necessary for your networking goals.

Can LinkedIn send invitations automatically?

LinkedIn may encourage you to invite contacts, but you should review every screen carefully before approving invitations. Do not assume that removing imported contacts will cancel invitations already sent.

Check your Sent invitations after a large import.

Why deleted contacts may return

Contacts can reappear when:

• Syncing remains enabled on another phone
• A Google or Microsoft account is still connected
• LinkedIn still has Contacts permission
• You imported the address book again
• The person appears as a LinkedIn connection rather than an imported contact

Disable all syncing sources before repeating the deletion.

How to remove a LinkedIn connection

1. Open My Network > Connections.
2. Find the person.
3. Open the menu beside their name.
4. Choose Remove connection.
5. Confirm.

You can also open the member's profile and use the connection-management menu. Removing a connection is separate from blocking.

Contact privacy checklist

• Turn off automatic contact syncing
• Revoke LinkedIn's phone contact permission
• Remove imported contacts already stored
• Review pending invitations
• Disconnect old email accounts
• Remove unnecessary LinkedIn connections
• Review profile discovery by email and phone number
• Download your LinkedIn data to understand what is stored

Frequently asked questions

Will contacts know I deleted them from LinkedIn?

Deleting an imported contact from your private account data does not normally notify that person.

Does removing synced contacts delete my phone contacts?

No. It removes LinkedIn's imported copy, not entries stored in your phone's address book.

Can I delete all imported contacts at once?

LinkedIn may provide a remove-all option, but availability can vary by interface and account.

Why do I still see People You May Know?

Suggestions can use more than synced contacts, including shared connections, workplaces, schools and activity.

Can I keep syncing off permanently?

Yes, but review the setting after reinstalling the app, changing devices or reconnecting an email account.

Final answer

Delete imported contacts through LinkedIn's contact or syncing settings, then disable syncing and revoke the app's Contacts permission. Existing connections and invitations must be managed separately.