What To Do If Your Telegram Account Is Hacked

Did you know that more than 40% of Telegram users have faced hacking attempts or unauthorized logins in recent years?

With over 900 million people using Telegram worldwide, it’s one of the most popular messaging apps in the world.

Because so many people use Telegram, hackers also love to target the app.

In this blog, we’ll show what to do if your Telegram account has been hacked, how to regain access quickly, and how to protect your account from future hacks.

Yes, someone can hack your Telegram account, but it’s not easy. Telegram links your account to your phone number, so a hacker cannot just pretend to be you unless they have physical access to your phone.

Telegram permits you to use your account on multiple devices at the same time. Every time you log in on a new device, Telegram sends a verification code to your phone to make sure it’s really you.

Hackers often use tricks to get your code. They may send you malicious links that install malware on your phone. Once they get your code, they can log in to your account and see your chats, contacts, and private information.

Hackers can access your account without leaving signs, but there are technical indicators you can look for to protect yourself.

Check Your Active Sessions

Go to Settings, then Devices, and open Active Sessions. This shows all the devices currently logged into your account.

If you notice logins from devices, IP addresses, or locations you don’t recognize, it is a strong sign that someone else has accessed your account.

Hackers often use VPNs or proxies to hide their true location, so even small differences in device type or country should make you suspicious.

Watch for Unauthorized Message Activity

If you see messages being sent from your account that you didn’t write, your account may have been compromised. Hackers use compromised accounts to spread malware, phishing links, or spam.

A sudden spike in message activity or unusual patterns in your chats is a warning signal that someone is controlling your account.

Look for Changes in Account Settings

Hackers sometimes change your account settings to maintain access. Check your two-step verification settings, linked phone numbers, and email addresses.

Make sure your privacy settings, like who can see your last seen or profile photo, haven’t changed. Any alteration in these settings can be a red flag.

Monitor Bot or App Interactions

Telegram allows you to connect third-party bots and apps. Some malicious bots can take advantage of your account by requesting session keys or OAuth tokens.

Check all connected apps and remove anything you didn’t authorize. Hackers often exploit these connections to access your account without touching your password.

Pay Attention to Repeated Verification Requests

If Telegram keeps asking you for login codes or sends verification messages you didn’t request, it can mean someone is trying to hack your account through brute-force or credential-stuffing attacks.

Always treat unexpected verification requests as suspicious and never share your Telegram login code with anyone.

Notice Unexpected Account Behavior

Sometimes your account may act strangely if someone else is using it. You might get logged out automatically, see delayed or missing notifications, or notice that some chat history disappears. These behaviors are not bugs; they are signs of unauthorized access.

Watch for Phishing Attempts

Hackers often use social engineering to steal your account. You might get messages asking for your verification codes, passwords, or QR codes. Never give these codes to anyone, even if they claim to be Telegram support.

Friends Receive Messages You Can’t See

Sometimes hackers delete messages from your side to hide what they do. If your friends report strange messages from you that don’t appear in your chat history, your account is compromised.

If someone hacked your Telegram account, don’t panic. Follow these 8 steps:

01 # Terminate Unknown Sessions Immediately

Hackers often stay logged in on other devices even after you notice suspicious activity. The first thing you should do is end all sessions that you don’t recognize.

• Open Telegram and go to Settings → Devices (or Active Sessions on desktop).
• Look for unknown devices, unusual locations, or devices you no longer use.
• Tap Terminate Session to remove a specific device, or choose Terminate All Other Sessions to log out from all devices except the one you are using.

You can also set up automatic termination for inactive sessions.

Go to Settings → Devices → Automatically terminate old sessions, and choose a period such as 1 week. This ensures that old devices don’t stay logged in indefinitely.

02 # Recover Your Account Using SMS Verification

If hackers have locked you out completely, you can regain access using your phone number.

• Open the Telegram app.
• Enter your phone number and select Tap to get a code via SMS.
• Enter the verification code you received.
• If you have two-step verification enabled, enter your 2FA password.

The process will log out all other devices. Keep in mind that once you enter your phone number, all active sessions will receive a notification. Hackers will know you are trying to regain access, so it’s important to act quickly.

03 # Set a Passcode & Enable Two-Step Verification

Once you regain access, the next step is to strengthen your account’s security.

How to Set a Passcode

• Open Settings → Privacy and Security → Passcode & Face ID (iPhone) or Passcode & Touch ID (older iPhones), or Passcode Lock on Android.
• Tap Turn Passcode On and enter a numeric passcode.
• Choose a four-digit or six-digit passcode using Passcode Options.
• Set the Auto-Lock duration to control how long your Telegram remains unlocked on your device.

How to Enable Two-Step Verification (2FA)

• Go to Settings.
• Then go to Privacy and Security → Two-Step Verification.
• Create a strong password that hackers cannot easily guess.
• Add a hint of your password to help you remember it later.
• Enter a recovery email to receive verification codes if needed.

2FA adds an extra layer of security. Even if hackers get your SMS code, they cannot log in without your 2FA password.

04 # Remove Suspicious Devices and Bots

Hackers sometimes use authorized devices or bots to maintain access. You should check and remove any unknown devices or integrations.

• Go to Settings → Devices → Active Bots.
• Terminate any devices or bots you do not recognize.

05 # Notify Your Contact

If your account was compromised, your friends and family might receive phishing links or scam messages from your account.

• Send them a quick message through another platform or call them.
• Alert them not to click on suspicious links or respond to unusual messages.
• Encourage them to delete any suspicious content sent from your account.

06 # Recover Your Account if Your Phone Was Stolen

If someone steals your phone, your Telegram account can be at risk because it is tied to your phone number.

Here’s what to do:

• Log in to Telegram from another device and immediately terminate the session on your old phone.
• Contact your mobile provider to block your old SIM and get a replacement.
• If necessary, update your phone number in Telegram under Settings → Phone Number.

07 # Contact Telegram Support

If none of the above steps work, contact Telegram Support:

• Go to Settings → Ask a Question to reach the Volunteer Support bot.
• To speak with a human, select Skip and proceed to volunteers, or type your request and choose Yes, redirect me.
• Provide your phone number, device information, and a brief explanation of the hack.

You can also submit a support request via Telegram’s official website, which is especially helpful if you lose access to your account entirely.

08 # Seek Help From an Expert

If you tried all steps and finally failed to recover your account, you should contact a cybersecurity expert such as TechForing. If the hack caused serious problems or financial loss, the expert can trace the hacker and recover your Telegram account.

Relevant blog: What to Do When Your Social Media Gets Hacked

If someone hacks your Telegram account, you need to report it quickly. Telegram has a unique way to handle hacked accounts, and it’s different from regular support chats.

Step 01 # Use the @notoscam bot

Open Telegram and search for @notoscam. Make sure you pick the account with the blue checkmark. Fake accounts often appear in search results, so verify the checkmark before you proceed.

Open the chat with the bot and send the username of your hacked account. The bot won’t reply immediately, so don’t worry if you don’t see a response. Telegram confirms this is the official way to report a hacked or scam account.

Step 02 # Use email if needed

You can also email [email protected]. This email mainly handles harassment or abusive accounts. If the bot doesn’t work, emailing them can get Telegram’s attention.

The best way to report a hacked Telegram account is through the @notoscam bot. If that doesn’t work, use the abuse email.

You can avoid becoming a victim by following these 9 steps:

1. Use App Lock and Device Security - Turn on Auto-Lock so the app locks after a few minutes. Use fingerprint or Face ID if your device supports it. Keep your phone’s operating system updated and encrypted to protect your data.
2. Use Secret Chats for Private Conversations - Secret Chats encrypt your messages end-to-end and don’t store them on Telegram servers. Turn on Auto-Delete so sensitive messages disappear after a set time.
3. Turn On Two-Step Verification (2FA) - Add a second password on top of your SMS login code. Even if someone steals your SMS code, they cannot access your account. Use a strong, unique password and add a recovery email.
4. Avoid public Wi-Fi - Public Wi-Fi can let hackers steal your session tokens and messages. Always use a trusted VPN when you connect to public networks. Avoid Telegram Web on unsecured Wi-Fi without a VPN.
5. Don't Click Links From Unknown Contacts - Hackers often send malware-infected links to gain access to accounts. Never open links or download files from people you don’t know. If a link looks suspicious, check it carefully before clicking or opening it in a secure browser.
6. Keep Your Telegram App Updated - Hackers find it easier to attack accounts with older versions of Telegram. Install updates immediately when they appear in the App Store or Google Play. Turn on automatic updates so you always stay protected.
7. Don’t Share Personal Information - Avoid sharing your phone number, birth date, location, or financial details. Keep your profile private by limiting who can see your profile photo, “About” section, and last seen status.
8. Watch Out for SIM Swapping - Hackers can steal your phone number to get Telegram codes. Contact your mobile SIM provider and ask them to add extra security (like a PIN) to your SIM card.
9. Only Use Trusted Bots and Contacts - Do not trust unknown bots or contacts asking for info, files, or links. Only add bots you’ve checked that are safe to avoid scams and malware.

If you use Telegram, you probably like its features, but you might wonder how secure it really is.

Compared to WhatsApp and Signal, most experts say Telegram sits somewhere in the middle when it comes to privacy and security.

The main thing to know is encryption. In normal chats, Telegram uses cloud-based encryption, which means your messages are protected while they travel between your device and Telegram’s servers.

But Telegram also stores your messages on its servers, so technically, the company can access them if it wants. You only get full end-to-end encryption when you use Secret Chats, and you have to start these manually.

When you use Secret Chats, you also get extra features like self-destructing messages that disappear after a certain time. This is useful if you share sensitive information.

But unlike WhatsApp or Signal, Telegram doesn’t turn on end-to-end encryption automatically for every chat. You have to take that extra step.

Now, let’s talk about your privacy and personal data.

Telegram asks for only your phone number, email, and contacts. WhatsApp collects your location, IP address, device details, crash reports, usage information, and even purchase history. Signal asks for only your phone number.

So, what does this mean for you?

If you want strong security, you should always use Secret Chats. Regular Telegram chats are okay for everyday messages, but they don’t protect you the way Signal or even WhatsApp does.

Telegram protects your personal data better than WhatsApp, but Signal still gives you the most privacy overall.

Telegram is safe, but hackers still find ways to break in. Here are the main ways your account can get hacked.

• Hackers send messages that look real and ask you to click a link or share a code.
• Attackers trick your mobile operator or set up call/SMS forwarding to get your phone number.
• Someone can send a file or link that installs spyware on your phone. That app reads messages and grabs codes.
• Fake Telegram apps or shady bots can steal your data or session tokens.
• If you reuse passwords, hackers try those leaked from other sites. 
• You might leave a session open on a friend’s phone or a public PC. Anyone with that device can use your account.
• Attackers run tools that test many passwords or buy breached data to guess logins.
• Free Wi-Fi can let attackers sniff your traffic and grab codes.

Yes, it is possible, but Telegram itself does not get “hacked” on its own.

Most attacks happen because someone tricks you, you install a harmful file, or a hacker finds a weakness in your phone or app.

Here’s how hackers can get in through Telegram:

1. Malicious links or phishing sites - Hackers can send links that look real but lead to fake login pages. If you enter your password or code, they take over your account.
2. Malware or harmful apps (APK/IPA files) - On Android, hackers can send APK files that contain spyware or Remote Access Trojans (RATs). On iPhone, attacks are rare but can happen through enterprise certificates or jailbroken devices.
3. Session hijacking or OTP theft - Hackers can trick you into giving them your one-time passwords (OTPs) or two-factor codes. That lets them log in as you.
4. Exploiting software bugs - Sometimes, hackers use rare bugs in Telegram or your phone’s operating system to run code remotely. These attacks are very advanced and target specific people.
5. Access to other linked accounts - If you use Telegram to log into other apps or services, hackers can reach those accounts once they control your Telegram.

Read more about What To Do if Your Phone Has Been Hacked

Yes, you can. But not because the bot or group can hack your phone by itself.

How hackers use bots and groups:

• Phishing links and fake pages - A bot or group can post links that look real but lead to fake login pages. If you enter your code or password, the hacker takes it.
• Malicious files (APK, ZIP) - Bots or people can send files that contain spyware or Remote Access Trojans (RATs). If you download and install an APK on Android, the malware runs on your phone.
• Fake bots that look official - Hackers make bots that seem like banks, exchanges, or support accounts. They ask for codes, passwords, or push you to install apps.
• Inline buttons - Bots use buttons that open web pages or trigger downloads. You might tap a button without realizing the link goes to a scam.
• Bot permissions and privacy mode - Bots cannot read Secret Chats. In groups, bots only see messages they receive (unless privacy mode is off). That means a malicious bot can collect anything you post to the group or send to it directly.
• Social engineering in groups - Hackers can impersonate admins or trusted members, post urgent messages, or ask for money or codes. Big groups make it easier for attackers to trick someone.
• Malicious invite links - Joining a group exposes you to more harmful links and files shared by others.

What bots or groups cannot do by themselves:

• Bots cannot run code on your phone without you opening a file or link.
• Groups cannot control your phone remotely. Hackers rely on tricks that require you to take action.

Bottom line is bots and groups can let hackers reach you, but they only become dangerous when you click links, download files, or share sensitive info.

Your private chats can get exposed. If someone hacks your account, they can read all your past conversations. The only exception is Secret Chats with a self-destruct timer. Even regular chats can contain sensitive information, personal secrets, or work-related messages that you don’t want anyone else to see.

Hackers can steal your identity. Once a hacker takes over, they can act just like you. They might message your contacts asking for money, passwords, or other private information. This can hurt your reputation and make people stop trusting you.

You can lose access to other accounts. If you use Telegram to log into other apps or services, the hacker can lock you out of those too. A single hack can create a chain of problems across your digital life.

Hackers can access your shared files and media. Photos, videos, audio clips, and other files you’ve shared can end up in the hacker’s hands. They might leak your personal media or even try to blackmail you.

Relevant blog: What To Do If Someone Is Blackmailing You with Nudes

Telegram doesn’t let you delete your account from the app. You have to use their website.

• Open your browser.
• Go to Telegram’s Deactivation Page.
• Type the phone number linked to your Telegram account, including your country code, and click Next.
• Telegram will send a confirmation code to your Telegram app.
• Enter that code on the website to continue.
• Once you log in, select Delete Account.
• You can type a reason or leave it blank.

Telegram will ask you one last time to confirm. Click Yes, delete my account. After that, your account, messages, groups, and contacts will be permanently deleted.

Important notes

Deleting your account cannot be undone. You will lose all messages, files, and contacts.

If you want a break, you can set your account to self-destruct after a time of inactivity in Settings → Privacy and Security → Delete my account if away for.

Telegram may ask you to enter your email address for verification.

Can I recover deleted Telegram messages after my account was hacked?

No. Telegram doesn’t store deleted chats on its servers. When you or a hacker deletes messages, they disappear from the cloud forever.

Does Telegram notify me if someone tries to log in from a new device?

Yes, Telegram sends you a notification when someone logs in from a new device. The alert shows the device type, IP address, and location.

How can I check if my phone number has been leaked to hackers outside Telegram?

You can verify this by using data breach monitoring tools like Have I Been Pwned.

 Is it safe to use Telegram Web on shared computers?

It’s not safe. Hackers can steal your browser cookies or session tokens to access your account. Always log out completely after using Telegram Web and clear the browser’s cache and cookies.

Can hackers access my cloud-stored Telegram media even if my account is safe?

No. Telegram protects your data using the MTProto encryption protocol, which splits encryption keys across different data centers. This makes it almost impossible for outsiders to access. But if someone steals your login credentials or session token, they can see your saved photos, videos, and files.

Can I hide my Telegram account from people who have my phone number?

Yes, you can hide your Telegram account even if people already have your number. Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number and select “Nobody.” You can also turn off “People Nearby” to stop location-based discovery. 

How can I detect if someone is monitoring my Telegram activity remotely?

You can find out if someone is watching your Telegram activity by checking Settings → Devices. You can also use apps like NetGuard or GlassWire to monitor unusual Telegram traffic on your phone.

Are Telegram group admins able to see private chat activity?

No. Telegram encrypts every private chat with unique encryption keys for each session. That means no one, not even admins or Telegram staff, can read your personal messages.

How can I log someone out of my Telegram account?

Open Settings → Devices, and you’ll see every device that’s currently using your account, including phones, tablets, and computers. Tap Terminate Session to remove one specific device or choose Terminate All Other Sessions to log out from every device except the one you’re using right now.

No app is fully secure from hackers. Since millions of people use the apps daily, hackers see Telegram as an easy way to reach new targets.

Most of the time, your account gets hacked not because Telegram failed, but because someone tricked you into clicking a fake link or sharing your login code.

If your Telegram account got hacked, reach out to TechForing, a trusted cybersecurity company that helps you recover hacked accounts and protect your data.

Talk To a Recovery Specialist