How to Use Telegram Privately (Hiding Your Phone Number and Setting Up Usernames)

Why Telegram?

It lets people message you through a username, so you never need to share your number. Menus change between versions, so check the labels on your own app.

Step 1: Create a username

Settings, Edit Profile, Username. Pick something that isn't your name or used elsewhere. People can message you through it without seeing your number.

Step 2: Hide your phone number

Settings, Privacy and Security, Phone Number. Set "Who can see my phone number" to Nobody. Set "Who can find me by my number" to My Contacts.

Important: anyone who already has your number saved in their phone can still link it to your account, and Telegram itself knows your number. Hiding it only affects other users.

Step 3: Tidy the rest of your profile

In the same Privacy menu, set Last Seen & Online, Profile Photo and Bio to Nobody or My Contacts. Use a profile name that isn't yours.

Step 4: Turn off contact syncing

Settings, Privacy and Security, Data Settings. Switch off Sync Contacts and delete synced contacts, so Telegram doesn't suggest you to people you know.

Step 5: Choose the right chat type

• Normal chats are stored in Telegram's cloud and aren't end-to-end encrypted by default.
• Secret Chats are end-to-end encrypted and tied to one device.
• Auto-delete can wipe messages after a set time.

Step 6: Lock the app

Settings, Privacy and Security, Passcode Lock. Turn off message previews in notifications (Guide 17).

Alternatives

Signal also supports usernames and disappearing messages, and encrypts every chat by default. The same rule applies: no number shared.