The short answer
- 1The person limited who can add them to groups; it is not a block.
- 2Send an invite link and let them join themselves.
- 3'Only add mutual contacts' is different: that is a spam limit on your account.
In this article
What the message means
You try to add someone to a group or channel and Telegram says: "Sorry, you can't add this user to groups because of their privacy settings." On newer apps it is often friendlier: "… restricts adding them to groups. You can send them an invite link instead." Older apps and some tools show the code USER_PRIVACY_RESTRICTED.
It means the other person has limited who can add them to groups, usually to My Contacts or Nobody. It is not a block, and it says nothing about you personally. Many people use this setting to stop strangers adding them to spam groups.
Send an invite link instead
An invite link lets the person join on their own, and their privacy setting does not stop that. When the app shows the error, it usually offers a Send Invite Link button that sends the group's link to them in a private chat.
- If there is no button, copy the group's invite link from the group's info (edit the group, then Invite Links) and send it yourself.
- If the app says some users "can only be invited via link, but you don't have permission to share invite links to this group," ask an admin to send the link or give you that permission.
Joining by link is also better manners: people who choose to join read the group; people who are added without asking tend to mute or leave it.
Where the setting is, if they want to change it
You can ask the person to let you add them, but it is their choice. The setting is under Privacy and Security:
- Main menu (☰)
- Settings
- Privacy and Security
- Invites
- Settings tab
- Privacy & Security
- Invites
- Bottom Settings tab
- Privacy and Security
- Groups & Channels
- Invites - who can add this person to groups and channels
Inside, the choices are Everybody, My Contacts or Nobody, plus Always Allow and Never Allow lists for exceptions. Someone who wants to keep strangers out but let you add them can put you on Always Allow.
When the message is about you, not them
A few similar messages point at your own account or at the group:
| The message says | What it means |
|---|---|
| "Sorry, you can only add mutual contacts to groups at the moment." | Your account has a spam limit; see mutual contacts only |
| "… because you've blocked them. Please unblock to proceed." | You blocked this person; see the Blocked Users list |
| "Sorry, you can't add this user to groups." | The account cannot be added at all, for example some bots |
| An error about the Removed Users list | The person was removed from this group earlier; an admin has to let them back |
Next step: a red exclamation mark: the message failed to send.
FAQ
Why can't I add someone to my Telegram group?
Their privacy settings limit who can add them to groups. Send them an invite link instead.
What does USER_PRIVACY_RESTRICTED mean on Telegram?
The user's privacy settings do not allow you to add them to groups or channels.
How do I stop people adding me to Telegram groups?
Settings > Privacy and Security > Invites (iPhone: Groups & Channels), then choose My Contacts or Nobody.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Why
Their Invites setting is My Contacts or Nobody.
- 2Fix
Send Invite Link, or ask an admin for one.
- 3Their setting
Privacy and Security > Invites (iPhone: Groups & Channels).
Updated
