LinkedIn: How to Turn Off the Radar (Geolocation) and Mute Notifications for Good

Your phone buzzes. LinkedIn again. Someone viewed your profile, a recruiter sent a message, or—surprise—it's just a reminder to congratulate a connection on their work anniversary. Notifications are the digital equivalent of a tap on the shoulder every five minutes. And geolocation? That's LinkedIn knowing where you are, even when you're not using the app. Creepy, right? Let's fix that.

Why does LinkedIn want my exact location?

LinkedIn uses your location to suggest nearby connections, tailor job recommendations, and show local events. But do you really need the app to know you're at that coffee shop on Main Street? Probably not. The trade-off is battery life and privacy. Plus, if you're job-hunting while at your current job, the last thing you want is your boss seeing you're active near a competitor's office.

How to revoke geolocation permissions on LinkedIn

On iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap LinkedIn.
3. Tap Location.
4. Select Never. (You can also choose "While Using the App" if you want location only when actively using LinkedIn, but for maximum privacy, go with Never.)
5. That's it. LinkedIn no longer knows where you are.

On Android

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap Apps or App Management.
3. Find and tap LinkedIn.
4. Tap Permissions.
5. Tap Location and select Deny.
6. Done. Your location is now your secret.

How to disable push notifications on LinkedIn

On iOS

1. Go to Settings > Notifications.
2. Tap LinkedIn.
3. Toggle off Allow Notifications. Or, if you want to keep some, customize below: disable sounds, badges, and lock screen alerts.
4. For granular control, open the LinkedIn app, tap your profile picture > Settings > Notifications. Here you can turn off specific types like "Job recommendations" or "Mentions."

On Android

1. Open Settings > Apps & notifications > LinkedIn.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. Toggle off All notifications. Or tap each category to disable individually.
4. Inside the LinkedIn app, go to your profile > Settings > Notifications to fine-tune.

Why you should care

Notifications are like that friend who keeps texting "u up?" at 2 AM. They drain your battery and your focus. And location tracking? It's like LinkedIn is following you around with a clipboard. Turning these off doesn't just protect your privacy—it also saves your phone's battery and your sanity. Plus, if you're job-hunting discreetly, you don't want your current employer to see you're active near a rival company's HQ.

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: data privacy laws. LinkedIn is a US-based company, so it follows American regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). Under the CCPA, you have the right to know what data is collected and to opt out of its sale. But here's the kicker: the CCPA doesn't require companies to stop tracking you entirely—just to give you an opt-out. Compared to the European GDPR, which requires explicit consent for most tracking, the American model is more like a "you can ask us to stop, but we might still peek" approach. So while you can revoke permissions on your device, LinkedIn may still collect location data through IP addresses or other means. The best defense? Take control of your device settings and review your LinkedIn privacy settings regularly.

Remember: turning off notifications and location doesn't mean you'll miss out on opportunities. You can still check LinkedIn manually when you want. It's like having a mailbox you open when you feel like it, instead of a postman who rings your doorbell every five minutes. Your phone, your rules.