Adjust Your Privacy Settings on Telegram - Android and iPhone [2025] 💥

Updated: December 14, 2024 | by: Martijn Assie, creating websites & shops since 20 years, also Linux-, Wordpress-,
Photoshop- and SEO expert. | 0 comments

With the growing concerns about online security, it's crucial for users to safeguard their digital conversations. Telegram, one of the leading messaging apps, provides a plethora of options to tweak and enhance privacy. Whether you're using an Android or iPhone, this guide will delve deep into helping you adjust those settings for an optimized experience.

Accessing Telegram's Privacy Settings

Telegram support offers extensive assistance, but to begin, let's navigate to the app's privacy settings. Open the Telegram app on your device and tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) in the top left corner. Then, select 'Settings' from the drop-down menu, followed by 'Privacy and Security' to access the privacy settings options.

Phone Number and Last Seen

These are two vital settings that determine who can view your number and your last seen status. To adjust:

Under the 'Privacy' section, tap on 'Phone Number'.
Choose who can see your phone number: 'Everybody', 'My Contacts', or 'Nobody'. If you select 'Nobody', you'll need to choose an additional option regarding who can find you by phone number.
Next, tap on 'Last Seen & Online'. Decide if you want 'Everybody', 'My Contacts', or 'Nobody' to view your last active status.

Profile Photo and Forwarded Messages

Your profile photo can be a window into your personal life, while forwarded messages can carry your identity with them. To control these:

Tap on 'Profile Photo' under the 'Privacy' section.
Choose who you want to grant access to your profile photo: 'Everybody', 'My Contacts', or 'Nobody'.
For forwarded messages, tap on 'Forwarded Messages' and decide who can add a link to your account when your messages are forwarded: 'Everybody', 'My Contacts', or 'Nobody'.

2-Step Verification for Enhanced Security

Telegram 2-Step Verification is a must-use feature for those keen on bolstering their account security. This process necessitates a second layer of password input when accessing Telegram from a new device. To activate:

Under the 'Security' section, tap on '2-Step Verification'.
Set a password and provide a recovery email. This email can assist in resetting the password if forgotten.
Confirm the password to activate the 2-Step Verification process.

For more in-depth details on managing active sessions, you can refer to this article.

Secret Chats and Self-Destruct Timer

Telegram secret chats are end-to-end encrypted conversations that aren't stored on Telegram's servers. The self-destruct timer can automatically delete messages after a set period. To utilize:

Start a new chat, and tap on the user's name you wish to converse with secretly.
Select 'Start Secret Chat'.
Once the chat starts, tap on the timer icon in the text input box to set a self-destruct timer ranging from seconds to a week.
Messages will vanish after the set time post reading.

Blocked Users

At times, you may need to block specific contacts or numbers. To manage your blocked list:

Under the 'Privacy' section, tap on 'Blocked Users'.
You can view the list of blocked contacts here and unblock them if needed. To add new contacts to the list, tap on the '+' icon and select from your contact list.

Managing Groups and Calls

You might also want to regulate who can add you to groups or call you directly. For this:

Under the 'Privacy' section, tap on 'Groups' to determine who can add you to new groups or channels.
For calls, tap on 'Calls' and choose who can call you directly. You can also toggle the 'Peer-to-Peer' option which, when off, will route your calls through Telegram's servers, masking your IP address.

Data and Storage

Telegram FAQ has abundant information about data usage. Yet, for quick settings, go to 'Data and Storage' under 'Settings'. Here, you can:

Control media auto-download based on the type of network you are on.
Manage storage by viewing the space each chat occupies and clearing cache if needed.

Conclusion

Ensuring your privacy on messaging apps like Telegram is paramount. With the plethora of options available, it might seem daunting, but with a little patience, you can optimize the settings for your peace of mind. Whether you're on Android or iPhone, adjusting your Telegram privacy settings will fortify your online experience. Remember to periodically review these settings, and stay updated with the latest features and recommendations to maintain a safe digital environment.