LinkedIn is a popular professional social networking platform used by over 722 million members worldwide as of April 2022. Many LinkedIn users wonder if they can link their Microsoft account to their LinkedIn profile to streamline login and account management.
The short answer is yes, you can use a Microsoft account for LinkedIn. LinkedIn is owned by Microsoft, so integrating the two accounts is straightforward. Linking your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts allows for single sign-on access and unified account management.
In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of linking your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts, how to connect the two accounts, and any potential drawbacks or issues to be aware of.
Benefits of Linking Microsoft and LinkedIn Accounts
There are several advantages to connecting your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts:
- Single sign-on access – You can use your Microsoft login credentials to access both LinkedIn and other Microsoft services like Outlook, OneDrive, etc. You don’t need separate usernames and passwords.
- Unified account management – You can manage your LinkedIn profile and account settings through your Microsoft account dashboard.
- Access to Microsoft services – Linking accounts allows you to utilize Microsoft tools and integrations with LinkedIn like importing Outlook contacts.
- Enhanced security – Microsoft’s account security features like multi-factor authentication apply to both accounts.
- Microsoft rewards integration – If you’re enrolled in Microsoft Rewards, you can earn points for LinkedIn activities.
- Fewer passwords to remember – Having one less set of login credentials to keep track of can be convenient.
Overall, integrating your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts makes accessing both platforms faster and easier with single sign-on access, unified account control, and the ability to utilize shared tools and features.
How to Link Microsoft Account with LinkedIn
Connecting your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes.
On Desktop
Here are step-by-step instructions for linking accounts on a desktop web browser:
- Go to LinkedIn.com and log into your account.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select Settings & Privacy from the dropdown menu.
- Click on the Account preferences tab at the top of the page.
- Under the “Account management” section, click Manage with Microsoft.
- You will be redirected to a Microsoft login page. Enter your Microsoft account credentials.
- Review the permissions being granted and click Yes to link accounts.
Once completed, you will be able to log into LinkedIn using your Microsoft username and password.
On Mobile
To connect your accounts on the LinkedIn mobile app for iOS or Android:
- Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile icon in the top left.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Manage with Microsoft.
- Enter your Microsoft account details and click Sign In.
- Review the permissions being granted and tap Yes to link accounts.
You can now sign into the LinkedIn mobile app using your Microsoft account.
Potential Issues When Linking Accounts
While connecting your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts is typically straightforward, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Outage impacts – If either Microsoft or LinkedIn services are experiencing an outage, it may temporarily impact single sign-on access until resolved.
- Login errors – In rare cases, you may encounter login errors if the account linking process doesn’t fully complete. Trying again usually resolves this.
- Microsoft account requirements – To link with your Microsoft account, you need to have a Microsoft account set up already with credentials to access it.
- Access revoking – Either service can revoke account access to the other for security reasons per their terms of use.
As long as you have a Microsoft account in good standing, the account linking process is typically quick and seamless. Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions closely.
Checking Link Status
If you want to confirm your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts are properly connected, it’s easy to check the link status:
On Desktop
- Go to the LinkedIn Settings & Privacy page.
- Under “Account management” you should see a Manage with Microsoft button.
- If the button says “Unlink account” the accounts are connected.
- If it says “Manage with Microsoft” the accounts are not linked.
On Mobile
- Open the LinkedIn app and go to Settings.
- If you see the option to Unlink Microsoft Account, the accounts are connected.
- If you only see Manage with Microsoft, they are not connected.
Following these steps allows you to quickly check the association status between your Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts.
Unlinking Accounts
If you want to disconnect your Microsoft account from LinkedIn, you can unlink the accounts:
On Desktop
- Go to the LinkedIn Settings & Privacy page.
- Under “Account management” click Unlink account.
- Confirm you want to unlink the accounts when prompted.
On Mobile
- Open the LinkedIn app and go to Settings.
- Tap Unlink Microsoft Account.
- Confirm you want to unlink the accounts.
Once unlinked, you will have to sign into each platform using separate credentials. You can repeat the account linking process in the future if desired.
Using LinkedIn Without Microsoft Account
It’s important to note that linking your Microsoft account with LinkedIn is optional. You can continue using your LinkedIn profile and account independently without connecting it to a Microsoft account.
The only key limitations are:
- You’ll have a separate LinkedIn login versus Microsoft services.
- You won’t be able to utilize Microsoft integrations with LinkedIn.
- You can’t manage LinkedIn through the Microsoft dashboard.
But core LinkedIn functionality does not require a Microsoft account connection. If you prefer keeping the accounts and logins separate, that is completely fine.
LinkedIn-Microsoft Account Integration FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about integrating LinkedIn with a Microsoft account:
Does linking share my data between LinkedIn and Microsoft?
Linking accounts does not automatically share data or content between the platforms. Your Microsoft and LinkedIn profiles, contacts, documents, etc. will remain separate unless you manually choose to share or sync information between them.
Can I link multiple LinkedIn accounts to a Microsoft account?
No, you can only link one LinkedIn account to an individual Microsoft account.
Does Microsoft need my LinkedIn password to link accounts?
No, you sign into Microsoft with your Microsoft credentials. You do not need to provide your LinkedIn password.
What if I already use my Microsoft email for LinkedIn login?
If your LinkedIn username is already your Microsoft email, your accounts are technically linked behind-the-scenes. But you still need to go through the formal linking process to enable single sign-on access.
Can I link my work/school Microsoft account?
You can only link a personal Microsoft account. Work or school Microsoft accounts cannot currently be connected to LinkedIn.
What if I can’t login after linking accounts?
Make sure you are using your Microsoft login credentials. If signed into the wrong account, unlink and relink the accounts. If issues persist, contact Microsoft or LinkedIn support.
Summary
Linking your Microsoft account with LinkedIn provides single sign-on convenience, unified account management, access to Microsoft integrations, and stronger security. The linking process is quick and easy to complete in your LinkedIn account settings on desktop or mobile apps.
Be aware linking Microsoft and LinkedIn accounts does not automatically share data or content between the platforms. You still need to manually sync or export information you wish to transfer over. Overall, connecting accounts makes accessing both Microsoft and LinkedIn faster while allowing you to take advantage of deeper integration features.
Conclusion
Connecting your Microsoft account with LinkedIn is an optional convenience that allows seamless access to both platforms under one login. It enables unified account management, tighter security, and access to Microsoft integrations. The linking process takes just a few minutes and can be completed in LinkedIn’s account settings on desktop or mobile.
Linking the accounts does not automatically share data between the platforms – manual syncs and exports are still required for that. And it’s also fine to continue using LinkedIn independently without a Microsoft account link if preferred.
Overall, linking accounts provides a streamlined experience but remains optional. The choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences for managing access to Microsoft and LinkedIn services.