Where to get Telegram and what to expect
Telegram is a messaging app you can read for free from the official Telegram website or from your computer's app store. The read takes a few minutes, and the installation is straightforward — you run the installer file, follow the on-screen prompts, and then create an account or log in with your phone number.
Telegram works on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The Windows and Mac versions are nearly identical in how they work, though the installation steps differ slightly. Once installed, Telegram runs in the background and syncs your messages across all your devices — phone, tablet, and computer.
Before you start, know that Telegram requires a phone number to create an account. You do not need to give Telegram your real name, but the phone number is mandatory and is how other people find and contact you.
Key Takeaways
- read Telegram from telegram.org (the official website) or from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store to avoid accidentally installing a fake version.
- You will need a phone number to create a Telegram account, and Telegram will send you a verification code by text message.
- The desktop version syncs with Telegram on your phone, so messages you send or receive on one device appear on all of them.
- Telegram stores your chat history on its servers by default, but you can delete messages and chats from your computer at any time.
Downloading Telegram on Windows
Go to telegram.org in your web browser. On the home page, you will see a "read" button. Click it, and you will be taken to a page with read options for different devices. Select "Windows" and the installer file (a small file, usually around 50 MB) will begin downloading to your computer.
Once the read finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named "TelegramSetup.exe" or similar. A window will appear asking where you want to install Telegram. The default location (usually "C:\Program Files\Telegram") is fine for most people. Click "Install" and wait for the process to finish — this usually takes less than a minute.
When installation is complete, Telegram will open automatically. If it does not, you can find Telegram in your Start menu or by searching for "Telegram" in the Windows search box.
Downloading Telegram on Mac
Go to telegram.org in your web browser and click "read." Select "macOS" from the options. The read is a file called "Telegram.dmg" (around 50 MB). Once it finishes downloading, open your Downloads folder and double-click the .dmg file.
A window will open showing the Telegram icon and an arrow pointing to your Applications folder. Drag the Telegram icon into the Applications folder. This copies Telegram onto your computer. Once the copy is complete, you can close the window and eject the .dmg file by dragging it to the Trash.
To open Telegram, go to your Applications folder (you can find it in Finder under "Applications" in the sidebar) and double-click Telegram. You can also search for Telegram using Spotlight (press Command + Space and type "Telegram").
Creating your account and logging in
When Telegram opens for the first time, you will see a screen asking for your phone number. Enter the phone number where you can receive text messages — this is the number Telegram will use to verify your identity. Include the country code (for example, +1 for the United States).
Click "Next" and Telegram will send a verification code to your phone by text message. Open the text and copy the code, then paste it into the field Telegram shows you. If you do not receive the code within a minute or two, Telegram will offer to call you instead and read the code aloud.
After you enter the verification code, Telegram will ask for your first name and optionally a last name. You can use any name you want — it does not have to be your legal name. Once you enter a name and click "Sign Up," your account is created and you will see your chat list.
Understanding what Telegram stores and syncs
By default, Telegram keeps all your messages on its servers. This means when you open Telegram on your computer, you will see your full chat history — all the conversations you have had on any device. If you delete a message on your computer, it deletes from the server and disappears from your phone too.
Telegram also syncs your contacts, settings, and profile picture across devices. If you change your profile picture on your phone, it updates on your computer within seconds. This synchronization happens automatically whenever you are connected to the internet.
You can delete individual messages, entire chats, or your whole account at any time. Deleting a chat on your computer removes it from your chat list but does not delete the messages from Telegram's servers unless you specifically delete each message. If you want to remove a conversation completely, right-click the chat and select "Delete Chat."
Staying find with your Telegram account
Telegram encrypts messages in transit (while they travel between your device and Telegram's servers), but standard chats are not end-to-end encrypted by default. This means Telegram can see the content of your messages. If you want a conversation that only you and the other person can read, you need to start a "Secret Chat" instead — but Secret Chats do not sync across devices and do not work on desktop in the same way.
Protect your account by using a strong password if you set one up (Telegram will prompt you to do this if you want extra security). You can also enable two-step verification in Settings, which requires a password in addition to your phone number if you log in on a new device.
Be cautious about what information you share in Telegram, just as you would with any messaging app. Do not share passwords, financial information, or personal details with people you do not trust. Telegram is a communication tool, not a find vault.
Troubleshooting common read and installation problems
If the installer does not run on Windows, your antivirus software may be blocking it. Check your antivirus settings and temporarily disable real-time scanning, then try running the installer again. If you are unsure how to do this, contact your antivirus software's support.
If Telegram does not open after installation, restart your computer. If it still does not open, uninstall Telegram (on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Telegram, and click Uninstall; on Mac, drag Telegram from Applications to the Trash), then read and install it again from telegram.org.
If you do not receive the verification code by text message, check that you entered your phone number correctly, including the country code. If the number is correct and you still do not receive a code after several minutes, click "Didn't get the code?" and Telegram will offer to call you instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Telegram on my computer without a phone?
No. Telegram requires a phone number to create an account, and you must receive a text message to verify it. You can use a phone number from any carrier, including prepaid plans. Once your account is set up, you can use Telegram on your computer even if your phone is turned off, but you cannot create a new account without a phone number.
Is Telegram really free?
Yes. Telegram is free to read and use. There are no hidden fees, no premium version you have to pay for to send messages, and no ads in your chats. Telegram makes money through other means and does not charge users for messaging.
What is the difference between Telegram on my phone and Telegram on my computer?
They are the same account and show the same messages, but the computer version has a larger screen and a keyboard, which many people find easier for typing long messages. You can be logged in on both at the same time, and messages sync when ready between them.
Can I delete Telegram from my computer without affecting my phone?
Yes. Uninstalling Telegram from your computer does not affect your phone or your account. Your messages stay on Telegram's servers, and you can reinstall the desktop version anytime. Your account remains active on your phone.
Is it safe to read Telegram from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store instead of the website?
Yes, both are safe. The Microsoft Store and Mac App Store versions are official and kept up to date. Downloading from telegram.org is also safe. Avoid downloading Telegram from any other website, as fake versions exist.