Yes, you can change the main email address on your LinkedIn account

LinkedIn lets you change the email address tied to your account, but the process depends on whether you want to keep using the same account or switch to a different one entirely. If you have access to your current email, you can update it directly in your account settings. If you no longer have access to the email you signed up with, the steps are different and take longer.

The email address on your LinkedIn account is what you use to log in and what LinkedIn uses to send you messages and notifications. Changing it does not affect your profile, connections, or work history — only the login credentials and contact method.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your primary email address through LinkedIn settings if you still have access to your current email.
  • LinkedIn requires you to verify the new email address before the change takes effect, which involves clicking a link sent to that address.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you will need to contact LinkedIn support and provide identity verification.
  • Changing your email does not delete your account, connections, or profile history.
  • You can add secondary email addresses to your account without removing the primary one.

How to change your email if you still have access to the old one

Open LinkedIn and go to your settings. Click the "Account" tab on the left side, then look for "Email addresses." You will see your current primary email listed. Click "Add email address" or the edit icon next to your existing email.

Type the new email address you want to use. LinkedIn will send a verification link to that new address. Check your inbox (including spam or promotions folders) and click the link within the time limit. Once you verify it, you can set it as your primary email. Your old email will be removed from the account.

The whole process usually takes a few minutes if you have when ready access to the new email inbox. If you do not receive the verification email, wait a few minutes and check again, or ask LinkedIn to resend it.

What to do if you no longer have access to your old email

If the email address you signed up with no longer works — because you closed that account, lost access to it, or it was compromised — you cannot change it through the normal settings route. Instead, you need to contact LinkedIn support directly.

Go to LinkedIn's help center and select "I forgot my password" or "I can't log in." Choose the option that says you no longer have access to your email address. LinkedIn will ask you to verify your identity using other information, such as your phone number, a recovery email you added later, or answers to security questions you set up.

Once LinkedIn confirms who you are, they can update your account email without requiring verification from the old address. This process can take several business days because LinkedIn reviews these requests manually to prevent account takeovers.

Adding a secondary email without removing your primary one

You do not have to remove your old email to add a new one. LinkedIn lets you keep multiple email addresses on the same account. Go to "Email addresses" in your settings and click "Add email address." Enter the new address, verify it the same way, and it will be added to your account.

You can then choose which one is your primary — the one LinkedIn uses to send notifications and the one you use to log in. The others stay on file as secondary addresses. This is useful if you are switching email providers but want to keep both active for a while.

What happens to your account after you change the email

Changing your email address does not affect anything else on your LinkedIn profile. Your connections stay the same, your work history and recommendations remain visible, and your messages are not deleted. The only thing that changes is how you log in and where LinkedIn sends notifications.

If you have LinkedIn set to send you weekly digests or job alerts, those will go to your new email address. Make sure you have access to the new email before you complete the change, or you may miss important messages from your network.

Troubleshooting common problems

If you do not receive the verification email, check your spam folder first. LinkedIn emails sometimes get filtered. If it is not there, go back to your settings and ask LinkedIn to send the verification link again. There is usually a "Resend" button.

If you are locked out of your account and cannot access your email, use LinkedIn's account recovery tool. You will be asked to confirm your identity using your phone number, a backup email, or security questions. This is slower than the standard email change but is designed to get you back in safely.

If you see an error saying the email is already in use, that email address is tied to another LinkedIn account. You cannot use the same email for two accounts. You would need to remove it from the other account first, or use a different email address for this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing my email address affect my LinkedIn password?

No. Your password stays the same. You will use your new email address and the same password to log in going forward. If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that separately in your settings.

Can I change my email address on the LinkedIn mobile app?

Yes. Open the app, tap your profile picture, go to "Settings & privacy," then "Account," then "Email addresses." The steps are the same as on the website. Make sure you have access to the new email address before you start.

What if I want to use my work email instead of my personal email?

You can add your work email as a secondary address or set it as your primary. If you add it as secondary, LinkedIn will use your primary email for login and notifications, but both addresses will be on file. You can change which one is primary anytime in your settings.

How long does it take to verify a new email address?

Usually a few minutes. The verification link arrives almost when ready. If you do not see it within five minutes, check your spam folder or ask LinkedIn to resend it. If you are changing your email because you lost access to the old one, the process takes several business days.

Can I change my email address if my account is suspended or restricted?

If your account is suspended, you will not be able to access settings to change your email. You would need to contact LinkedIn support to resolve the suspension first. If your account is restricted but still accessible, you can usually change your email normally.