The short answer
- 1On Android and iPhone tap New Message on the Chats tab, then New Group; on PC use the main menu.
- 2A group holds up to 200,000 members and everyone can talk.
- 3Right after creating it, set chat history, permissions, invite links and admins.
In this article
Where New Group is on each device
A group is a chat where everyone can talk. You pick the first members, give it a name, and you become its owner. The first screen already states the limit: "up to 200000 members".
- Main menu (☰)
- New Group
- Chats
- New Message
- New Group
- Chats
- New Message
- New Group
- New Group — people talk to each other
- New Channel — you broadcast, subscribers read
The order differs a little. On Android and iPhone you choose members first, then the name and photo. Telegram Desktop asks for the group name first, then the members. Either way you can start with just one other person and add more later.
- The member limit, shown before you start
- Pick the first members; you can add more later
Four settings to decide right after
A new group works straight away, but these four decide what kind of room it becomes. On Android they are under the group's info screen, Edit. On PC open the group, then the menu (⋮), Manage group.
| Setting | What it decides |
|---|---|
| Chat history for new members | Whether someone who joins later can read what was said before they arrived (Visible or Hidden) |
| Permissions | What ordinary members may send: messages, photos, links, polls; see limiting what members can send |
| Invite Links | Who can join and whether an admin must approve them first; see creating several invite links |
| Administrators | Who helps you run it, people or bots, and what each may do; see setting admin permissions |
For a work or private group, turn on Approve New Members for the invite link, so a link that leaks does not let strangers walk in. Pin the one message every newcomer should read. If the conversation splits into several subjects, turn on topics; see organising a group with topics.
When the group grows
A group of ten friends and a group of five thousand need different settings. Slow mode, hidden member lists and a join check matter more as it grows, and they are easier to turn on before trouble starts than during it; see running a group with thousands of members.
FAQ
How do I create a group in Telegram?
On Android or iPhone open the Chats tab, tap New Message, then New Group, pick members and choose a name. On PC use the main menu, New Group.
How many members can a Telegram group have?
Up to 200,000 members, as the New Group screen states.
What should I set after creating a Telegram group?
Chat history for new members, member permissions, invite links (with Approve New Members if needed) and administrators.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Where
New Message, New Group (PC: main menu).
- 2Limit
Up to 200,000 members.
- 3Then
History, permissions, links, admins.
Updated
