Telegram Privacy Settings: A Complete Configuration Guide

Telegram Privacy Overview

Telegram is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, with over 900 million monthly active users. It offers features that many other platforms lack — large group chats, channels, bots, and extensive customization. However, Telegram's default privacy settings are not as protective as many users assume.

A critical distinction that many Telegram users do not understand is the difference between Telegram's standard chats and its Secret Chats. This distinction has significant privacy implications, and properly configuring your account requires understanding both the platform's capabilities and its limitations.

This guide walks through every privacy-relevant setting in Telegram and explains what each one does, helping you make informed decisions about your configuration.

Secret Chats vs. Regular Chats

This is the single most important privacy consideration for Telegram users.

Regular (Cloud) Chats

Standard Telegram conversations use client-server encryption. Messages are encrypted between your device and Telegram's servers, and between the servers and the recipient's device. However, Telegram holds the encryption keys and can technically access message content on their servers.

Cloud chats are stored on Telegram's servers, which is why you can access your messages from multiple devices simultaneously. This convenience comes at a privacy cost — your messages exist on infrastructure you do not control.

Group chats, channels, and bot interactions all use cloud chat encryption. There is no Secret Chat option for groups.

Secret Chats

Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption, meaning only you and the recipient can read the messages. Telegram's servers relay the encrypted data but cannot decrypt it. Secret Chats exist only on the two devices involved in the conversation and do not sync to other devices.

Secret Chats also support self-destructing messages with customizable timers, do not allow forwarding, and notify you if the recipient takes a screenshot (on supported platforms).

To start a Secret Chat, tap the user's name, then select "Start Secret Chat" from the menu. For sensitive conversations, always use this option.

Configuring Privacy Settings Step by Step

Navigate to Settings, then Privacy and Security to access all privacy controls.

Phone Number Visibility

By default, Telegram can expose your phone number to other users. Configure this setting carefully:

• Who can see my phone number: Set to "Nobody" to prevent anyone from seeing your number through Telegram.
• Who can find me by my number: Set to "My Contacts" to prevent strangers who have your number from finding your Telegram account.

This is one of the most important settings to change from the default, especially if you use Telegram in public groups where your profile is visible to strangers.

Last Seen and Online Status

Your "last seen" timestamp tells others when you most recently used Telegram. This information can be used to monitor your activity patterns.

• Who can see my last seen: Set to "Nobody" or "My Contacts" depending on your preference.

Note that if you hide your last seen, you also cannot see the last seen of users who would not be able to see yours.

Profile Photo

Your profile photo is visible to anyone by default, including people who find you in public groups.

• Who can see my profile photo: Set to "My Contacts" to limit visibility to people you know.

Forwarded Messages

When someone forwards your message, Telegram can link the forwarded message back to your profile. This means anyone who sees the forwarded message could click through to your account.

• Who can add a link to my account when forwarding my messages: Set to "Nobody" to prevent forwarded messages from linking back to your profile.

Calls

Telegram supports voice and video calls. Configure who can call you and whether calls use peer-to-peer connections (which can reveal your IP address).

• Who can call me: Set based on your preference.
• Peer-to-peer: Set to "Nobody" or "My Contacts" to prevent your IP address from being exposed during calls with strangers. When peer-to-peer is disabled, calls are routed through Telegram's servers.

Groups and Channels

By default, anyone can add you to groups and channels without your permission. This is commonly abused by spammers.

• Who can add me to group chats: Set to "My Contacts" to prevent strangers from adding you to groups.

Two-Step Verification

Two-step verification adds a password requirement on top of the SMS code when logging into Telegram on a new device. This is critical because SMS codes can be intercepted through SIM swapping attacks.

To enable: Go to Settings, Privacy and Security, Two-Step Verification. Set a strong password and a recovery email. If you need help generating a secure password, use our Password Generator to create one.

Without two-step verification, anyone who intercepts your SMS code (through SIM swapping, SS7 attacks, or social engineering your carrier) can take over your Telegram account and access all your cloud chat history.

Auto-Delete Messages

Telegram allows you to set a global auto-delete timer for all new chats. Messages will automatically be deleted after the chosen period (1 day, 1 week, or 1 month).

Navigate to Settings, Privacy and Security, Auto-Delete Messages to configure this. You can also set individual timers for specific conversations by tapping the chat header.

Auto-delete reduces the amount of historical data stored on Telegram's servers and on your devices. It does not apply retroactively to existing messages.

Active Sessions Management

Telegram lets you view and terminate all active sessions — devices and applications where your account is currently logged in.

Go to Settings, Privacy and Security, Active Sessions. Review the list regularly and terminate any sessions you do not recognize. This is especially important if you have ever logged into Telegram on a shared or public computer.

You can also enable a setting to automatically terminate inactive sessions after a specified period (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months).

Passcode Lock

Enable a separate passcode lock for the Telegram app to prevent someone with physical access to your unlocked phone from reading your messages. Go to Settings, Privacy and Security, Passcode Lock. Choose a PIN or biometric lock. You can also configure the app to auto-lock after a period of inactivity.

Taking the time to configure each of these settings transforms Telegram from a convenience-first messenger into a much more privacy-respecting communication tool. Review these settings periodically, as Telegram frequently adds new privacy options with updates.