The short answer
- 1The official app is Telegram Messenger by Telegram FZ-LLC; iPhone and iPad use the same one.
- 2Start Messaging, then your phone number and Continue. The code may arrive in Telegram on another device.
- 3Settings sit in the Settings tab: Notifications and Sounds, Passcode Lock and Data and Storage first.
In this article
The official app is Telegram Messenger in the App Store
iPhone and iPad use the same app. In the App Store, the official one is named Telegram Messenger and its developer is Telegram FZ-LLC. The iPhone and iPad link on Telegram's own list of apps, telegram.org/apps, opens the same listing.
| Item | App Store listing when this page was checked |
|---|---|
| App name | Telegram Messenger |
| Developer | Telegram FZ-LLC |
| Compatibility | iOS 13.0 or later on iPhone, iPadOS 13.0 or later on iPad |
| Price | Free; Telegram Premium is an optional in-app subscription |
- Telegram for iPhone and iPad - opens the official App Store listing
- Unofficial apps - third-party clients, not made by Telegram
Install Telegram on iPhone and sign in
- Find Telegram Messenger in the App Store and install it.
- Open it and tap Start Messaging.
- On the Your Phone screen, check the country code, enter your phone number and tap Continue.
- Enter the login code. If you already use Telegram on another device, the code arrives as a message in Telegram on that device, not as a text message.
If you are new to Telegram, you then choose a name and, if you like, a profile picture. Never share the login code with anyone; nobody from Telegram will ever ask for it.
The first permission requests: notifications and contacts
- Notifications. If you do not allow them, new messages arrive silently. When Telegram asks, allow them; you can change this later in the iPhone Settings app under Telegram.
- Contacts. If you allow access, people in your phone's contacts who use Telegram appear in your contact list. Telegram works fine without it, and you can still find people by their username.
Settings worth a look on day one
Telegram for iPhone keeps its settings in the Settings tab at the bottom right of the screen.
| What you want | iPhone path |
|---|---|
| Change notification sounds and previews | Settings tab › Notifications and Sounds |
| Ask for a passcode when the app opens | Settings tab › Privacy and Security › Passcode Lock |
| Download fewer photos and videos automatically | Settings tab › Data and Storage |
| Theme and text size | Settings tab › Appearance |
| Change the app language | Settings tab › Language |
| See and end signed-in devices | Settings tab › Devices |
On an iPhone with Face ID the passcode row is called Passcode & Face ID; with Touch ID it is Passcode & Touch ID. Here is the same setting on each device:
- Main menu (☰)
- Settings
- Privacy and Security
- Local passcode
- Settings tab
- Privacy & Security
- Passcode Lock
- Bottom Settings tab
- Privacy and Security
- Passcode Lock
The rest of the first-day settings, on every device, are in Telegram first setup.
Using Telegram on an iPad as well
Install the same Telegram Messenger on the iPad and sign in with the same phone number, and you see the same chats as on your iPhone. The login code goes to Telegram on the iPhone you are already signed in on. Using Telegram on a tablet or foldable covers the larger screen.
For a computer, follow how to install Telegram on Windows. In the iPhone app, Settings › Devices › Add Device opens the camera; point it at the QR code on the computer screen and you are signed in (QR login).
Common mistakes on iPhone
| What you see | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No alert when a message arrives | Notifications were not allowed at first launch | Turn them on in the iPhone Settings app, under Telegram › Notifications. |
| The login code never comes by text message | It went to Telegram on a device you are already signed in on | Open Telegram on that device and read the code there. |
| The menus do not match this page | The app is not by Telegram FZ-LLC, or it is out of date | Check the developer and update it in the App Store. |
FAQ
Is Telegram free on iPhone?
Yes. The app is free; Telegram Premium is an optional subscription with extra features.
Do I have to allow access to my contacts?
No. Telegram works without it. If you allow it, contacts who use Telegram appear in your list.
Can I sign up with only an iPad?
Yes, as long as you have a phone number that can receive the login code.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Check the developer
Telegram Messenger by Telegram FZ-LLC, the app linked from telegram.org/apps.
- 2Sign in with your number
If you use Telegram elsewhere, the code arrives in Telegram there.
- 3Day-one settings
Settings tab: Notifications and Sounds, Passcode Lock, Data and Storage, Appearance.
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