Where to find and change your primary email

Your primary email on LinkedIn is the address LinkedIn uses to send you notifications, password reset links, and account recovery messages. To change it, log into your LinkedIn account on a computer or phone, then go to your profile photo in the top right corner and select "Settings and privacy." From there, click "Account preferences," then find the "Email addresses" section. You'll see your current primary email listed first.

Click the email address itself or look for an edit option next to it. LinkedIn will ask you to enter a new email address. Type the address you want to use instead, then click "Change" or "Save." LinkedIn sends a confirmation link to the new email address you entered — you must click that link within a set time (usually 24 hours) to complete the change. Until you confirm, your old email remains primary.

Key Takeaways

  • Your primary email is the one LinkedIn uses for notifications and account recovery, and you change it through Settings and privacy > Account preferences > Email addresses.
  • LinkedIn sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it to finish the change — your old email stays primary until you do.
  • You can keep your old email address on your account as a secondary email, or remove it entirely after the change is confirmed.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, contact LinkedIn Support before attempting to change your primary email.

What happens to your old email address

After you confirm your new primary email, LinkedIn gives you the option to keep your old email on file as a secondary email or delete it. Keeping it as secondary means LinkedIn still recognizes it if someone tries to log in with that address, but notifications and official messages go to your new primary email instead. This is useful if you're worried about losing access to your account or if you share your old email with others who might try to sign in.

If you delete the old email entirely, LinkedIn removes it from your account completely. You can still log in using your username or the new primary email, but the old address will no longer work for sign-in. You can add it back later if you change your mind, but you'll have to go through the confirmation process again.

Confirming your new email before the link expires

When you request a primary email change, LinkedIn sends a confirmation email to the new address you provided. Open that email and click the confirmation link — it usually says something like "Confirm your email address" or "Verify this email." The link typically works for 24 hours. If you don't click it within that window, the change doesn't go through and your old email stays primary.

If the confirmation link expires, go back to Settings and privacy > Account preferences > Email addresses and request the change again. LinkedIn will send a new confirmation link to your new email address. If you're having trouble receiving the confirmation email, check your spam or junk folder, or contact LinkedIn Support for help.

If you can't access your old email anymore

If your old primary email no longer works — because you closed that account, lost access to it, or it's no longer active — you may not be able to complete a standard email change. LinkedIn's system sends the confirmation link to your new email, which usually works fine, but some account security features may block the change if LinkedIn can't verify your identity through the old email.

Before you try to change your email, contact LinkedIn Support and explain that your old email is no longer accessible. They can review your account and may be able to verify your identity another way, such as through your phone number or payment history. This step prevents someone else from taking over your account by changing the email without your permission.

Using a work email versus a personal email

Many people start LinkedIn with a work email, then want to switch to a personal email when they change jobs or leave a company. The process is the same regardless of which type of email you're switching to or from. However, if you're using a work email that your employer controls, switching to a personal email before you leave the job is a good idea — that way, your employer can't lock you out of your account by disabling your work email.

If you're switching to a work email, remember that your employer may have access to that mailbox. They could potentially see LinkedIn notifications or password reset emails sent to that address. If privacy is a concern, use a personal email as your primary instead.

What you need to do after the email change is complete

Once you've confirmed your new primary email, your LinkedIn account is fully updated. You don't need to do anything else — LinkedIn automatically sends all future notifications and messages to the new address. If you kept your old email as a secondary address, you can still use it to log in, but notifications won't go there anymore.

If you use LinkedIn's mobile app, you may need to log out and log back in for the app to recognize the email change fully. This isn't always required, but it ensures the app is synced with your account. You don't need to update any other websites or services that are connected to your LinkedIn account — they'll continue to work as before.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Open the app, tap your profile photo, go to Settings and privacy, then Account preferences, then Email addresses. The steps are the same as on a computer, and you'll still receive a confirmation link to the new email address.

What if I don't receive the confirmation email from LinkedIn?

Check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes get filtered there. If it's not there, wait a few minutes and try requesting the change again. If you still don't receive it, contact LinkedIn Support and provide your account details so they can investigate.

Can I have two primary emails on LinkedIn?

No. LinkedIn allows only one primary email at a time. You can have secondary emails on your account, but only one receives notifications and account recovery messages. To switch which email is primary, go to Email addresses and select a different one.

Do I have to remove my old email after changing my primary email?

No. You can keep your old email as a secondary address if you want. It won't receive notifications, but it can still be used to log in. You can remove it anytime by going back to Email addresses and deleting it.

Will changing my primary email affect my LinkedIn connections or profile?

No. Your connections, posts, profile information, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the email address LinkedIn uses to contact you changes.