The short answer
- 1A call is never the first option; it opens when the countdown ends.
- 2Two kinds of call must not be answered; one reads the code aloud.
- 3Dictated codes need Two-Step Verification, and landlines are not supported.
In this article
A call is never the first option
You cannot pick "call me" at the start. Telegram tries the other ways first (the Telegram app on another device, then SMS), and the call option only opens after a countdown. While it counts down, the code screen says:
| App | What the code screen says |
|---|---|
| Android, iPhone, Telegram Desktop | "Telegram will call you in" followed by a timer such as 1:00 |
| Telegram Desktop, just after the timer ends | "Requesting a call from Telegram..." then "Telegram dialed your number" |
Wait for the timer to reach zero. Before that, no call will come, however long you stare at the phone.
Three kinds of call
When the timer ends, the screen tells you which kind of call is coming. Each needs something different from you:
| The screen says | What the call is | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "We're calling your phone … Don't accept the call. Telegram will process everything automatically." | An automatic check: the call itself proves the number is yours (Android only) | Do not answer. Let it ring; the app moves on by itself |
| Enter the missing digits — "In a few seconds you should receive a short call from:" and part of a number | A short missed call; the code is hidden in the caller's number | Do not answer. Type the last digits of the number that called you |
| "Calling your phone … to dictate the code." | A voice call that reads the code aloud | Answer, listen, and type the digits you hear |
The automatic check only works if you allowed Telegram to make and manage phone calls when Android asked during sign-up. If you refused, the app cannot see the call and falls back to another method. You can change this later under the phone's app settings for Telegram, in Permissions.
Who can get a dictated code
Telegram's FAQ sets two limits on codes read out by phone:
- Two-Step Verification must be on. For security reasons, dictated codes are only offered on accounts that have it enabled (Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification). On other accounts the call option may not appear at all.
- Landlines are not supported. A Telegram account can only be connected to a mobile number, so a call to a fixed line is not a way in.
That is one more reason to switch on Two-Step Verification before you need it: it adds a way to receive codes as well as a password.
When the call does not come
- Has the timer finished? Nothing happens until it reaches zero.
- Is the number right? Check the country code and drop any leading zero. 'Invalid phone number' covers the format.
- Is a call blocker in the way? Verification calls come from numbers you have never seen, often from abroad. Spam-call filters on the phone or the carrier can reject them silently, and missed-call checks fail if the call never rings.
- Are you abroad? With roaming off, calls to your home number do not reach you. Getting codes while roaming covers this.
- Is there a logged-in device? The code may already be waiting in the Telegram chat there. See getting your code in the Telegram app on another device.
If none of this works, tap Didn't get the code? on the code screen. The Android app suggests checking your cellular data settings and the phone number, and lists the options that are left, such as asking for an SMS.
A caller who asks you for a code is not Telegram
The full sequence for missing codes is in a code that is not arriving. Next step: 'Invalid phone number': the country code and the leading zero.
FAQ
Should I answer Telegram's verification call?
It depends on the screen. If it says Don't accept the call, or asks for the missing digits, do not answer. If it says it is calling to dictate the code, answer.
Why doesn't Telegram call me with the code?
The countdown may not have finished, a call blocker may reject unknown numbers, or the account may not have Two-Step Verification, which dictated codes require.
Can Telegram call my landline with the code?
No. Telegram's FAQ says accounts can only be connected to a mobile number; landlines are not supported.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Wait
'Telegram will call you in' must reach zero.
- 2Read the screen
Automatic call and missed call: do not answer. Dictated call: answer.
- 3Never read out a code
Telegram's calls give codes; callers who ask are scammers.
Updated
