How to Connect LinkedIn Accounts to PhantomBuster: Yours or Someone Else’s

This guide explains how to connect a LinkedIn or Sales Navigator account to PhantomBuster, whether it’s your own, a teammate’s, or an external contributor’s. You’ll learn which method to use depending on your situation, what information is required, and how to manage multiple accounts in your workspace.

Connect your own LinkedIn account

Option 1: Use the PhantomBuster browser extension (recommended)

The extension lets PhantomBuster detect your LinkedIn session automatically, so there's no need to copy cookies or type anything manually.

→ To install the extension and connect your session, follow the steps in our detailed extension guide.
It covers:

• Supported browsers and install links
• How session detection works
• What the extension can do on LinkedIn (lead capture, CRM export, etc.)

Once installed, the extension works silently in the background. As long as you're logged into your social media platform in that browser, your session stays active and PhantomBuster can keep automations running smoothly.

Option 2: Connect manually with a session cookie and user agent

Use this method if you're using an unsupported browser, if the extension isn't working, or if you prefer a direct setup.

This tutorial is tailored for Chrome users:

You’ll need:

• Your LinkedIn session cookie (li_at)

• Your user agent string (copied from the same browser)

Steps:

1. Open a window and log into your LinkedIn account.

2. Open Developer Tools: Right-click and select Inspect.
   

3. From the Developer Tools panel, select Application. 
   
   

4. Look under Storage > Cookies dropdown > Cookies, find the li_at cookie and copy its Value.
   

5. In a new tab, search “What’s my user agent” on Google and copy the full string.

   

6. Log in to your PhantomBuster workspace.

7. Whether you're setting up a new Phantom or updating an existing one, open the Phantom setup. At the Connect to LinkedIn step, click Add new LinkedIn account.
   

8. Paste the li_at cookie and user agent, then click Save. 
   
   

You’re now ready to finalize your setup and launch your Phantom.

Connect a teammate’s LinkedIn account: workspace member

If the account belongs to someone in your PhantomBuster workspace:

1. Log in to your PhantomBuster workspace and hover over your name in the top-right corner.

2. Make sure the correct workspace is selected, then go to Users & accounts under the Workspace section.
   

3. Click + Add user, and send them an invite.
   

4. They log into PhantomBuster with their own credentials and connect their LinkedIn account using either the extension (recommended) or manual setup.

5. Once connected, their account will appear as an option in the Phantom setup.
   

There’s no need for them to adjust any workspace settings, the session becomes available automatically.

Connect someone else’s LinkedIn account: external contributor

If the account belongs to someone outside your PhantomBuster workspace, you can connect it in two ways:

Option 1: Use a magic link, no login required

This lets your contributors securely share their LinkedIn session without giving them access to your workspace.

Step 1: Generate, copy and share the magic link

1. Log in to your PhantomBuster workspace and hover over your name in the top-right corner.

2. Make sure the correct workspace is selected, then go to Users & accounts under the Workspace section.

3. Click Add LinkedIn account.

4. Copy the link and share it with your contact (valid for 24 hours only).

Step 2: Your contact shares their LinkedIn session

1. Your contact opens the link and clicks Connect my LinkedIn account.
   

2. If they’re using Chrome or Firefox, they can install the PhantomBuster browser extension which will detect their LinkedIn session automatically when they open the link. They can then click I agree to share access to complete the process.
   

3. Their LinkedIn session is now shared and available for use in your workspace. If they need to revoke access later, they can refer to the How to Disconnect a LinkedIn Account From a Workspace guide.
   

Their session will now appear in your workspace. They won’t have access to your Phantoms or data,  only the LinkedIn session will be shared.

Option 2: Connect manually with a session cookie and a user agent

You can manually connect your contributor's account using:

• Their LinkedIn session cookie (li_at)

• Their user agent string 

You can collect these from your contributor and paste them into the Connect to LinkedIn step in the Phantom setup.

Refer to the manual connection steps above to complete the setup.

Where your connected LinkedIn accounts live

You can manage all your connected LinkedIn sessions from the Users & accounts section of your workspace.

Here, you can:

• View all connected LinkedIn accounts.

• Reconnect expired sessions (via new magic links).

• Disconnect accounts no longer in use.

This central view makes it easy to manage multiple reps, clients, or personas from one place.