LinkedIn’s messaging feature allows you to directly communicate with other members of the professional networking platform. The messaging icon is what gives you quick access to send and receive messages. However, depending on what device and interface you are using, the messaging icon may not always be easy to find.
On LinkedIn’s desktop website, the messaging icon is located in the top navigation bar, on the far right side. It appears as an enclosed speech bubble and will display a number to indicate how many unread messages you have. Simply click on the icon to view your messages and send new ones.
On LinkedIn’s mobile app, the placement of the messaging icon depends on which version and platform you are using.
Messaging Icon on LinkedIn Mobile App for iOS
If you are using LinkedIn’s iOS app on an iPhone or iPad, the messaging icon can be found in a couple of places:
- At the bottom navigation bar: There is a speech bubble icon on the far left of the bottom bar. Tapping it will take you directly to your messages.
- On the Home feed: Swipe right on your Home feed to reveal the sidebar menu. The messaging icon will be near the top of this menu.
The bottom navigation bar provides quick access to messages from anywhere in the app. However, if you don’t see the icon there, swipe in from the left side of your screen to make the sidebar appear. The messaging icon should be visible there.
Messaging Icon on LinkedIn Mobile App for Android
On Android devices, the LinkedIn messaging icon can be found in the following locations within the app:
- At the bottom navigation bar: There is a speech bubble icon on the far left of the bottom bar. Tapping it opens your messages.
- In the side menu: Tap on the 3-line “hamburger” menu icon at the top left corner. The messaging icon will be on the top section of the side menu.
As with iOS, the bottom navigation bar provides the quickest access. But if you don’t see the icon there, open the side menu by tapping the hamburger icon. The messaging icon will be one of the first few options.
Messaging on LinkedIn Mobile Website
If you access LinkedIn through your mobile device’s browser instead of the app, the messaging icon can be found in the following locations:
- Top navigation bar (desktop view): If viewing the desktop site, the messaging icon will be on the far right of the top nav bar, like on the desktop.
- Side menu (mobile view): If viewing the mobile site, tap on the hamburger menu icon to open the side menu. The messaging icon will be on the upper portion of this menu.
The mobile site automatically adapts to your screen size. So if your browser is not in desktop view, you’ll need to open the side menu to find the icon.
Messaging on LinkedIn Lite App
LinkedIn Lite is a stripped down version of LinkedIn’s mobile app, designed for areas with poor internet connectivity. On LinkedIn Lite for both iOS and Android, the messaging icon is found in the bottom navigation bar as a speech bubble icon on the far left.
Tapping on it will directly open your LinkedIn messages where you can view and send messages just like the regular app.
How to Use the LinkedIn Messaging Feature
Now that you know where to find the LinkedIn messaging icon, here is a brief overview of how to use LinkedIn messaging:
- Tap on the messaging icon to open your messages list. You will see past conversations as well as notifications for new messages.
- To start a new message, tap on the pencil icon in the top right. This will open a screen to enter the recipient’s name.
- You can only message other LinkedIn members who you are connected with, except for 1st degree connections who can also message you.
- Enter your message text and tap send. You can add emojis and attach files.
- You will receive notifications for new incoming messages. Tap on a conversation to view the full history and continue messaging.
- On desktop, you can also start new messages directly from a member’s profile.
LinkedIn messaging is useful for having private 1-on-1 conversations with your professional connections. It’s a quick way to get answers, feedback or advice from your network.
Troubleshooting if You Can’t Find the Messaging Icon
In some cases, you may not see the messaging icon where you expect it to be. Here are some things to check:
- Update the app – Make sure you’re running the latest version of the LinkedIn app. Updates sometimes change icon placement.
- Refresh the page/app – The icon might fail to load properly, so try refreshing.
- Check your internet connection – The messaging icon may not show if you have a poor internet connection.
- Log out and log back in – Sometimes logging out and back into your LinkedIn account fixes glitchy problems.
- Clear the app cache/data – For Android devices, try clearing the LinkedIn app’s cache and data to refresh things.
- Contact LinkedIn support – If you still can’t access messaging, you may need to contact LinkedIn support for further help.
In most cases, the LinkedIn messaging icon appears in the bottom or side navigation menus of the mobile apps and websites. Taking a few troubleshooting steps can often resolve any issues accessing messaging. With the ability to directly communicate with your professional network, LinkedIn messaging is a useful productivity feature for any user once you know where to find it.