Changing your number does not create a new account. Telegram's FAQ says you keep everything, including your contacts, messages and media from the Telegram cloud, as well as your secret chats on all devices.
Quick answer
In the Telegram app on your phone, open Settings, tap your phone number just above your username, choose Change Number, enter the new number and type the code Telegram sends to it.
1. Before you start
- Put the new SIM in a phone, or make sure it can receive SMS and calls. The confirmation code goes to the new number.
- Keep the old SIM until the change is finished.
- Turn on two-step verification and check that you can still open its recovery email.
- If the new number already has its own Telegram account, delete that account first. Telegram does not merge two accounts.
2. How to change the number
- Open Telegram on your phone and go to Settings.
- Tap your phone number, just above your username.
- Tap Change Number.
- Enter the new number with its country code.
- Type the code that Telegram sends to the new number.
Menu names can differ a little between Android, iPhone and app versions, but the path is the same.
3. Can you change it without your contacts knowing?
Not completely. The Change Number screen in the app warns that your Telegram contacts get the new number added to their address book if they had your old number, unless you have blocked them in Telegram.
What you can control is who sees the number on your profile. Open Settings › Privacy and Security › Phone Number and choose Nobody or My Contacts. People can still reach you by your username.
4. What stays the same
| Item | After the change |
|---|---|
| Chats, media and contacts in the cloud | Kept |
| Secret chats | Kept on all devices |
| Username, channels and groups you own | Kept, because it is the same account |
| Numeric user ID and account age | Unchanged |
| Two-step verification password | Unchanged |
Because the account and its user ID stay the same, the Telegram account age checker gives the same result after the change.
5. If it does not work
- The number is already in use: the new number has its own Telegram account. Log in to it, delete it, then try again.
- The code does not arrive: wait for the timer, then ask for an SMS or a call.
- You no longer have the old SIM: that is fine while you are still logged in on your phone, because the code goes to the new number.
- You are logged out everywhere and the old SIM is gone: ask your mobile operator for a replacement SIM with the old number first.
- You signed up on the new number by mistake: that is a separate, empty account. Delete it, then change the number from your main account.
Code still not arriving? See login code not received.
Already locked out? Follow the steps to recover a Telegram account.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my chats if I change my Telegram number?
No. Telegram moves your cloud chats, media, contacts and secret chats to the new number. It is the same account.
Can I change my Telegram number without my contacts knowing?
Not fully. Contacts who had your old number get the new one added to their address book unless you blocked them. You can hide the number on your profile in Privacy and Security settings.
Do I need the old SIM card to change the number?
No. The code goes to the new number. You only need to be logged in to Telegram on your phone.
Why does Telegram say the new number is already in use?
The new number has its own Telegram account. Delete that account first, then change the number on your main account.
Does changing the number change my username or account age?
No. Your username, numeric user ID and account creation date stay the same.
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