Before you start
- The Telegram app on your phone or computer
Method 1 Hide your number
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Step 1: Open privacy settings
Open Settings > Privacy and Security and tap Phone Number.
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Step 2: Choose Nobody
Under Who can see my phone number, choose Nobody. You can add exceptions for people who should still see it.
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Step 3: Limit who can find you
Under Who can find me by my number, choose My Contacts, so only people who already have your number saved can find you with it.
Method 2 Use a username instead
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Step 1: Create a username
Go to Settings, tap your profile or Username, and choose a unique name (at least 5 characters, letters, numbers and underscores).
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Step 2: Share it
People can find you by searching @username or opening t.me/username, without seeing your number.
Method 3 Lock down the rest of your privacy settings
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Step 1: Last seen and online
In Privacy and Security > Last Seen & Online, choose who can see when you’re active.
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Step 2: Profile photo and bio
Limit Profile Photos and Bio to My Contacts.
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Step 3: Groups and calls
Set Invites (who can add you to groups) and Calls to My Contacts to block spam groups and calls from strangers.
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Step 4: Turn on two-step verification
In Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification, set a password so nobody can sign in with just an SMS code.
Troubleshooting
Someone in a group still sees my number
Check that the setting is Nobody, not My Contacts. If they have your number saved, they’ll still see it; you can’t hide it from them.
My chosen username is taken
Add numbers or underscores, or try a different word. Some short names are reserved.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Telegram without a phone number?
You need a phone number to sign up, but with these settings nobody else has to see it.
Does hiding my number hide my online status?
No. Change that separately in Last Seen & Online.
Summary
In Settings > Privacy and Security > Phone Number, set Who can see my phone number to Nobody and Who can find me by my number to My Contacts. Add a username for people to contact you, and turn on Two-Step Verification.
