"I'm taking a break from my phone, emails and all social media for a while," he wrote on Instagram at the time.
"I've had such an amazing ride over the last 5 years but I find myself seeing the world through a screen and not my eyes so I'm taking this opportunity of me not having to be anywhere or do anything to travel the world and see everything I missed.
"To my family and friends, if you love me you will understand me buggering off for a bit, to my fans, the 3rd album is on its way and is the best thing I have made thus far. See you all next autumn, and thank you for being amazing. Ed x".
Sheeran kept a relatively low profile in 2016 but made headlines last month when Princess Beatrice accidentally cut his face with a sword during a celebrity-filled party.
But as the Princess said "arise Sir James", she is believed to have misjudged the weight of the blade and had no idea Sheeran was standing right behind her.
Sheeran, who was at the party with girlfriend Cherry Seaborn, was taken to hospital for treatment to a gash under his eye.
