You can connect your LinkedIn account to PhantomBuster by entering your LinkedIn email and password: no session cookie or browser extension needed. PhantomBuster signs in for you, you complete any verification LinkedIn asks for, and your account is connected. The one thing to remember: you have about 3 minutes to complete any verification step. If it expires, you're returned to the sign-in form and can try again.
Before you start
- LinkedIn, not PhantomBuster, decides whether to ask you to verify. Even if you've turned off two-step verification (or never set it up), LinkedIn may still ask you to confirm the sign-in with an email code or an app notification. This is LinkedIn's own security behavior, so don't disable 2FA hoping to skip it.
- Keep your phone and email inbox nearby. Verification codes and app notifications expire after about 3 minutes.
- Your credentials aren't stored. As the connect screen notes: "We'll use these credentials once to sign in to LinkedIn and generate a secure connection. They are not stored."
Connect your account
- In your Phantom setup, at the Connect to LinkedIn step, open Connect a LinkedIn account.
- Choose Connect with email and password.
- Enter your LinkedIn email and LinkedIn password. Use a custom proxy (optional, but recommended): the connect screen includes a "Use a custom HTTP proxy" section (Address, Username, Password). You can leave it empty and connect without one. If you do add a proxy, use a stable one that matches your usual location, it helps the sign-in go through smoothly and keeps the connection stable afterwards. See How to Use a Proxy with PhantomBuster. Then click Connect.
- You'll see a "Signing in to LinkedIn…" loading state.
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Complete the verification if LinkedIn asks for one (see What verication looks like).
- Once verification passes, or if LinkedIn skips it, your LinkedIn account is added and your Phantom is ready to run.
What verification looks like
Depending on your LinkedIn account, one of these will appear:
- A code sent by email. LinkedIn emails you a code: enter it in the modal and submit.
- A code sent by SMS. If your 2FA is set to Phone Number (SMS), the code arrives by text: enter it and submit.
- An authenticator-app code. The "Two-factor code required" modal appears: enter the code from your authenticator app and submit.
- A notification in the LinkedIn app. The "Approve the sign-in on your phone" modal appears. Open the LinkedIn app and tap Yes; the connection completes on its own. Prefer a text instead? Click Verify using SMS (works only if SMS is set up as a 2FA method in your LinkedIn settings).
You can follow this step-by-step tutorial:
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need my session cookie or the browser extension?
No, this method signs you in with your email and password. However, the session cookie and extension methods still work.
Is it safe to enter my LinkedIn password?
Your credentials are used once to sign in and generate the connection, and are not stored.
Why is LinkedIn asking me to verify even though I turned off 2FA?
LinkedIn decides when to ask for verification, independently of your 2FA setting. Disabling 2FA does not guarantee a verification-free sign-in.
Should I turn off two-factor authentication (2FA)? What if I use Sales Navigator?
We recommend turning 2FA off before connecting. The exception is Sales Navigator, which requires 2FA to stay on. Keep it enabled and complete the verification for your Sales Navigator Phantoms to run smoothly.
Should I disable the browser extension when connecting with my email and password?
Yes, turn the browser extension off before you connect, so it doesn't interfere with the credentials sign-in.
Why did LinkedIn email me about a sign-in from a new device or location?
Our Phantoms sign in from our own servers, so LinkedIn may email you about a login from a location that isn't your usual one. Your connection isn't affected and no actions is needed from you side.
I connected with my email and password but my account still gets disconnected or restricted, why?
Disconnections happen when LinkedIn's safety systems react to your activity: too many actions, multiple Phantoms running on one account, or a sudden spike after a quiet stretch. Reconnecting gets you running again, but you'll need to lower your activity to stop it recurring. See How to Fix "Disconnected by LinkedIn" and Other Account Disconnection Errors.
How long do I have to complete verification?
Within 3 minutes. If it expires, you're returned to the sign-in form to try again.
Do I need a proxy to connect with email and password?
No, a proxy is optional, and the connection works without one. We do recommend it for this login method: a proxy that matches your usual location makes the connection more stable. See How to Use a Proxy with PhantomBuster.
I'm getting an error while connecting, what does it mean?
See How to Fix Errors When Connecting LinkedIn with Your Email and Password.
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