How to remove unknown devices from LinkedIn
If you notice unfamiliar phones, browsers, or locations in your LinkedIn account, act quickly to secure your profile and sessions.
This guide explains how LinkedIn device access works, how to remove unknown devices from LinkedIn, and what to do if you suspect unauthorized access.
What “unknown devices” means on LinkedIn
LinkedIn does not typically label sessions as “unknown devices” in a consumer-facing dashboard the way some other platforms do.
Instead, you may see active sessions, login locations, approximate IP-based locations, browser names, or device types associated with your account activity.
An unknown device is any session you do not recognize.
That may include a laptop you no longer use, a public computer, a phone that was lost, or a sign-in from a location where you have never logged in.
Because LinkedIn is connected to your professional identity, suspicious access can expose contacts, messages, profile data, and account settings.
How to check LinkedIn sessions and devices
Before removing anything, review your account access carefully.
LinkedIn provides security settings where you can see devices or sessions associated with your account and manage where you are signed in.
- Open LinkedIn and sign in on a trusted device.
- Go to your profile icon and open Settings & Privacy.
- Select the Sign in & security area.
- Review available options for active sessions, devices, or recent sign-ins.
- Compare the device type, browser, operating system, and location details against your own history.
If a session is unfamiliar, treat it as suspicious even if the location is only slightly different.
VPN use, mobile carrier routing, and browser privacy tools can make locations appear inconsistent, so focus on patterns and whether you actually used that device.
How to remove unknown devices from LinkedIn
The exact interface may vary by app version and region, but the goal is the same: end all unrecognized sessions and force a new login on trusted devices only.
- In Settings & Privacy, go to Sign in & security.
- Find the section that lists active sessions or devices.
- Look for an option to sign out, remove, or log out of a specific device.
- If LinkedIn offers a “sign out of all sessions” option, use it if you suspect compromise.
- After signing out, log back in only on devices you control.
If the platform does not show a direct per-device removal button, changing your password usually forces other sessions to expire.
That is often the fastest way to eliminate unauthorized access.
What to do if you cannot find a remove option
Some LinkedIn accounts do not expose detailed device controls in the app, and menu labels can differ between desktop and mobile.
If you cannot identify a specific sign-out control, use the security actions that achieve the same result.
- Change your password immediately from a trusted device.
- Enable two-step verification if it is available for your account.
- Review connected email addresses and phone numbers for changes.
- Check third-party app access and revoke anything you do not recognize.
- Sign out of all devices if LinkedIn provides that control.
These steps matter because an attacker may keep access even after one session is closed if they already have your password or a linked authentication method.
How to secure your LinkedIn account after removing a device
Removing a device is only part of the fix.
If a stranger had access, you should harden the entire account so they cannot return.
Change your password to a unique one
Create a strong password that you do not use anywhere else.
A password manager such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or LastPass can help generate and store unique credentials securely.
Avoid reuse from email, banking, or social platforms.
Turn on two-step verification
Two-step verification adds an extra layer of protection beyond your password.
Use an authenticator app or secure verification method if available, since SMS codes can be less secure than app-based codes.
Review your email account first
Your email inbox is often the recovery path for LinkedIn.
If someone controls your email, they may reset your LinkedIn password again.
Check for suspicious forwarding rules, recovery changes, and sign-ins in your email provider before assuming LinkedIn is safe.
Check your profile and contact details
Inspect your name, headline, work history, email addresses, phone number, and public profile URL.
Attackers sometimes make subtle changes to make an account harder to reclaim or impersonate you to connections and recruiters.
Signs your LinkedIn account may have been compromised
Unknown devices are one warning sign, but not the only one.
Watch for these indicators of unauthorized activity:
- Messages sent that you do not remember writing
- New connections you did not approve
- Profile edits you did not make
- Login alerts from unfamiliar cities or countries
- Password reset emails you did not request
- Posts, comments, or reactions you do not recognize
If any of these appear alongside an unknown session, assume the account is at risk and secure it right away.
How to prevent unknown devices from appearing again
Once you have cleared the suspicious access, prevention becomes the priority.
A few habits significantly reduce the chance of repeat incidents.
- Use a unique password for LinkedIn and your email account.
- Log out after using shared computers in offices, labs, hotels, or libraries.
- Avoid saving passwords on public devices.
- Keep browsers and mobile apps updated to reduce security vulnerabilities.
- Monitor sign-in alerts regularly so you can catch problems early.
- Revoke unused third-party connections that can act as hidden access points.
For people who use LinkedIn heavily for recruiting, sales, or job hunting, consider setting a recurring monthly check of your account security settings.
A short review is often enough to catch a problem before it spreads.
When to contact LinkedIn support
If you cannot regain control, or if suspicious activity continues after you change credentials, contact LinkedIn support through the help center.
Provide clear details, including the date you noticed the issue, the devices you do recognize, and any security emails LinkedIn sent you.
You should also contact support if your account has been locked, if your email address has been changed, or if an attacker has altered your profile in a way that could affect professional reputation.
In severe cases, you may need to recover the account through identity verification.
Best practices for ongoing LinkedIn account security
LinkedIn is often tied to your resume, network, and business reputation, which makes account hygiene important.
Regularly review your login history, keep your email secure, and remove unused sessions whenever you access LinkedIn from a shared or temporary device.
If you manage a company page, a recruiter account, or a sales team profile, use role-based access and make sure former employees are removed promptly.
Shared credentials create unnecessary risk and make unknown-device detection harder.