How to Sign Up for Telegram Without Your Personal Number
A step-by-step guide to verifying a Telegram account with a virtual number, plus privacy settings to switch on afterwards.
Updated: · 2 min read
Telegram asks for a phone number at sign-up. If you would rather not share your personal number, you can verify the account with a temporary virtual number in about two minutes.
What you need
- An account on this site with a small balance (see top up).
- The Telegram app or Telegram Web.
Step 1: Buy a Telegram number
Open the Telegram number page. Choose a country with stock and a good success rate badge, then click Buy. The number appears in your dashboard with a countdown.
Step 2: Enter the number in Telegram
In Telegram, tap Start messaging, select the same country and paste the number without the country code (the app adds it). Confirm.
Step 3: Copy the code
Within seconds, the code appears in your dashboard. Click to copy and paste it into Telegram. Turn on Notify me in the dashboard to get a browser notification and a sound when the code arrives.
No code after two minutes? Use Try another number: the current order is canceled and refunded, and a number from another country is bought for you.
Step 4: Secure the account
- Settings → Privacy → Phone number: set "Who can see my phone number" to Nobody.
- Two-step verification: set a cloud password and a recovery email. This is how you keep access without the SMS number.
- Stay logged in on at least one device. New logins get the code inside Telegram.
Common issues
"Phone number banned" or "too many attempts": cancel the order (it is refunded) and try a different country. Code went to the app instead of SMS: this only happens if the number already has a Telegram account; cancel and buy another.
Frequently asked questions
Will my contacts see my real number?
No. Telegram only knows the virtual number you registered with.
Can I log in again later?
Telegram usually sends later login codes to your active Telegram session, not by SMS. Keep at least one device logged in and set a cloud password.
More guides
How to Set Up a Second WhatsApp Account
Separate work and personal chats: options for a second WhatsApp account on one phone, and how to verify it with a virtual number.
Automating SMS Verification With an API (Developer Guide)
Buy numbers, poll for codes and handle refunds programmatically with the REST API or the SMS-Activate compatible endpoint.
How to Protect Your Phone Number Online
Your phone number is a key to your accounts. Practical steps to limit spam, SIM-swap risk and data leaks.