Telegram is not encrypted by default. Most people who use it think it is. That’s the gap between the marketing and the reality — and it’s a big one.
Over 500 million people use Telegram every month, and most of them assume their messages are encrypted. They’re not — not by default. Only “Secret Chats” are end-to-end encrypted. Standard chats are stored on Telegram’s servers, readable by Telegram, and that false sense of security is the real danger here.
DO / DON’T
DO:
- Set up privacy and security settings and help family do the same
- Be cautious when updating your “About me” — everyone can see it
- Change your PIN periodically
DON’T:
- Send anything compromising over any social media or internet-based application — including Telegram in standard chat mode
- Connect with people you don’t know — people are not always who they say they are
Account and Linked Devices
Path: Settings (bottom right)
- Edit personal information: Name and Bio
- Can add up to three accounts with different phone numbers
- Devices: Link your desktop and manage active sessions
- Set a session termination timeout — inactive old sessions will be terminated automatically
Privacy and Security
Path: Settings > Privacy and Security
- Set up Passcode & Face ID for additional local security
- Enable Two-Step Verification — required
- Privacy settings: Restrict all options to “My Contacts” or “Nobody”. Don’t leave anything set to “Everyone.”
- Set up account self-deletion timer — auto-deletes your account after a specified inactivity period
Data Settings
Path: Settings > Privacy and Security > Data Settings (at bottom)
- Turn OFF Sync Contacts
- Turn OFF Suggest Frequent Contacts
Secret Chats
For truly private conversations, use Secret Chats — not standard chats:
- End-to-end encrypted
- Not stored on Telegram’s servers
- Cannot be forwarded
- Can be set to self-destruct after a time you choose
To start a Secret Chat: Tap a contact → More options → Start Secret Chat
If you’re having a sensitive conversation on Telegram, it needs to happen in a Secret Chat. Standard chat is not end-to-end encrypted.
Enable Two-Step Verification and set all privacy options to “My Contacts” or “Nobody.” Then use Secret Chats for anything you actually want to stay private.