Privacy for creators
What it is
Your channel can be public while you stay private. Every channel is run from a personal account with a phone number; Telegram lets you hide it, choose who can add you to groups or message you, and talk to subscribers through the channel.
How to do it
The menus are the same on iOS, Android and Desktop.
1. Settings › Privacy and Security › Phone Number: under Who can see my phone number? pick Nobody, then under Who can find me by my number? pick My Contacts.
2. Settings › Privacy and Security › Invites: pick My Contacts or Nobody, and add exceptions under Always Allow.
3. Settings › Privacy and Security › Messages: My Contacts and Premium Users or Charge for Messages keeps strangers out; both need Premium.
- Give people `t.me/username`, not your number.
- In your channel's settings, turn on Direct Messages so subscribers write to… In your channel's settings, turn on Direct Messages so subscribers write to the channel, not to you. Keep Sign Messages off (under Administrators) so posts show only the channel's name.
Watch out
- Anyone who already saved your number still sees it.
- With a public username, anyone can find you in search and message you.
- People can also find you through a group you share.
- Don't send your channel link to strangers: after spam reports you may only be able to message people who have your number saved.
With Gem
Gem doesn't change your Telegram privacy settings. Nearby: form requests reach you in @gembot, questions Gem can't answer come to you there to answer once, and Gem messages people only after they allow it, with a Stop button on every message.