Can people see my phone number on Telegram? This is a common question among Telegram users, especially those who value their privacy. Telegram, being one of the most popular messaging apps, offers various features that cater to different user needs. However, its privacy settings can sometimes be confusing. In this article, we will explore whether your phone number is visible to others on Telegram and how you can manage your privacy settings accordingly.
Telegram allows users to create a profile with a username and a profile picture. While your phone number is used to verify your identity and for receiving verification codes, it is not visible to everyone by default. Let’s delve deeper into the different scenarios where your phone number might or might not be visible.
1. In Private Chats:
In a private chat, your phone number is not visible to the other person unless you explicitly share it. When you initiate a private chat with someone, you are connected using your respective phone numbers, but these numbers are not displayed in the chat interface. This means that your privacy is maintained as long as you do not share your phone number with the other person.
2. In Group Chats:
In a group chat, your phone number is visible to all the members of the group. This is because group chats are designed to facilitate communication among a larger number of people. However, there are ways to hide your phone number in group chats. You can either change your Telegram number or create a custom username that does not reveal your real phone number.
3. In Channels:
In channels, your phone number is not visible to the subscribers. Channels are used for broadcasting messages to a large audience, and your identity is not a part of the conversation. You can join channels without revealing your phone number, as long as you do not initiate a private chat with the channel admin.
4. In Public Chats:
Public chats, such as public groups or channels, are designed to be open to anyone. In these chats, your phone number is visible to all participants. However, you can choose to hide your phone number in public chats by using a custom username.
How to manage your privacy settings:
To ensure that your phone number remains private on Telegram, follow these steps:
1. Go to your profile by tapping on the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the app.
2. Tap on ‘Settings’ and then ‘Privacy and Security’.
3. Here, you can manage various privacy settings, such as who can see your phone number, your profile picture, status, and more.
By adjusting these settings, you can control how much information about yourself is visible to others on Telegram. Remember that privacy is a personal choice, and it’s essential to understand the implications of your decisions regarding your phone number and other personal information on the platform.
