The short answer
- 1The official Telegram app comes only from Google Play, telegram.org/android, the App Store or desktop.telegram.org.
- 2APKs sent in chats and 'Plus' or 'see deleted messages' versions sign in as you and can read everything.
- 3If you installed one, remove it, end unknown sessions and turn on Two-Step Verification.
In this article
Where the official app comes from
| Device | Official source |
|---|---|
| Android | Google Play, or the APK on telegram.org/android |
| iPhone and iPad | The App Store |
| Windows, macOS, Linux | desktop.telegram.org (Windows also has the Microsoft Store) |
| Browser | web.telegram.org |
Anything else is not Telegram's app. The open source code and verifiable builds that make the official apps checkable apply only to builds from these sources; see open source and reproducible builds. Installing the official APK step by step is covered in installing the Telegram APK on Android.
How fake ones reach you
| Route | What it usually says |
|---|---|
| An APK sent in a chat | "Photo viewer", "security update", "verification app", "open this to see the file" |
| A modified version advertised in a group or channel | "Plus", "Pro", "Gold", "no ads", "see deleted messages", "read without being seen" |
| A look-alike download site from a search ad | An address that resembles telegram.org but is not it |
None of the promised extras needs a different app. The official app already comes in your language and is free; features it does not have are not unlocked by a stranger's file.
When Android blocks the install
If you open an APK from inside Telegram, Android stops it first and asks you to allow installs from that source in system settings. That warning is the system doing its job. Unless the file came from telegram.org/android, do not allow it. See a received file won't open; for problems installing the genuine APK, see 'App Not Installed'.
If you already installed one
- Uninstall it. If you gave it extra permissions, such as device admin or accessibility access, remove those first.
- In the official app, open Devices and end every session you do not recognise.
- Turn on Two-Step Verification, or change its password if it was already on.
- If the phone is rooted or full of apps from unknown sources, check the whole device; see rooted and jailbroken phones.
If the account is already behaving strangely, follow if your account was hacked.
FAQ
Is Telegram Plus safe?
Modified versions like 'Plus' or 'Pro' are not Telegram's apps. They sign in with your account and can read your chats.
Where can I download the real Telegram APK?
From Google Play, or the APK on telegram.org/android.
What should I do if I installed a fake Telegram app?
Uninstall it, end unknown sessions in Devices, and turn on or change Two-Step Verification.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Sources
Google Play, telegram.org, App Store, desktop.telegram.org.
- 2Red flags
APKs in chats, 'Plus' versions, look-alike sites.
- 3Cleanup
Uninstall, end sessions, set Two-Step Verification.
Updated
