Create a Telegram group

You create a Telegram group from the new message button. Choose New Group, select at least one contact, enter a group name, and confirm. After that, you can set the group photo, description, member permissions, admins, and invitation link.

A group is meant for conversations. Members can send messages, reply to each other, and share files. According to Telegram’s official information, groups can grow to 200,000 members.

In this guide, you will learn how to create a group on iPhone, Android, and computer. You will also read how public links, chat history, admins, group rules, and member permissions work.

When should you choose a Telegram group?

Choose a group when members need to talk to each other. That works well for a team, course, association, customer community, event, or group of friends.

A Telegram channel works differently. A channel is mainly made for admins to share messages. Channels can have an unlimited number of subscribers. In a group, the conversation between members is central.

You can also combine both options. For example, link a group as the place for replies to a channel. Subscribers then see a reply button under the channel posts.

What do you need before you create a group?

Prepare the following items:

• A clear group name
• A recognizable profile photo
• A short description
• At least one contact to add during setup
• A choice between public and private
• Basic rules for members
• A plan for admins and permissions
• A clear welcome message

Also think in advance about the group’s purpose. A group for customer support needs different rules than a hobby group. The clearer the purpose, the easier it is to make later decisions about permissions and moderation.

Where do you find the option to create a group?

The mobile apps usually ask you to select one or more contacts first. Later, you can add more people through search or an invitation link.

How do you create a Telegram group on iPhone?

Follow these steps to create a Telegram group on an iPhone:

1. Open Telegram.
2. Go to Chats.
3. Tap the new message icon in the top right.
4. Choose New Group.
5. Select at least one contact.
6. Tap Next.
7. Enter the group name you want.
8. Add a recognizable group photo.
9. Confirm that you want to create the group.
10. Open the group info to adjust the description and permissions.

You do not have to add everyone right away. First finish the basics. Share the invitation link only after the name, description, photo, and rules are clear.

How do you create a Telegram group on Android?

On Android, start with the round pencil in the chat list:

1. Open Telegram.
2. Tap the pencil in the bottom right.
3. Choose New Group.
4. Select one or more contacts.
5. Tap the arrow or Next.
6. Enter the group name.
7. If you want, add a group photo.
8. Tap the checkmark to create the group.
9. Open the group name at the top for extra settings.

Do you not see the new group option? Then update the official Telegram app. You can also fully close the app and open it again.

How do you create a group via Telegram Desktop?

Open the menu at the top left in Telegram Desktop and choose New Group. Add contacts, enter the name, and complete the steps. Then open the group menu to set a photo, description, admins, and member permissions.

The desktop version is useful when you want to write longer rules or already have images on your computer. After that, also check the group on a phone. Most members will probably use a smaller screen.

Should you choose a public or private group?

A private group is only accessible to people who were added or who have a valid invitation link. This is usually the best choice for a team, course, or closed community.

A public group has a public username and a t.me link. People can find the group through Telegram and join directly. That is useful for an open community, but it usually requires more moderation.

For some public features, normal groups first need to work as a supergroup. Telegram usually handles that technical transition inside the app. What you mainly see is the group type setting and the public link.

Do not share a private invitation link in a fully public place if you really want to limit access. Anyone with a valid normal link can otherwise try to join.

How do you create an invitation link for your group?

Open the group info. Choose Add Member and then Invite via Link or Invitation Links. Copy the default link or create an extra link with your own settings.

With extra invitation links, you can often set:

• when the link expires;
• how many people may use the link;
• whether an admin must approve every request;
• the name the link gets inside the admin area.

Use a separate link for each campaign, class, platform, or partner. That helps you see where participants come from. You can also revoke one link without making all other invitations unusable.

Read more about all options in how to create a Telegram invitation link.

How do you add admins?

Admins help you manage and moderate the group. Give each admin only the permissions that person really needs.

On iPhone, open Group Info, tap Edit, and then Admins. On Android, tap the group name, the pencil, and Admins. In Telegram Desktop, open the menu with the three dots, choose Manage Group, and then Admins.

You can decide who may do things such as:

• change the group info;
• delete messages;
• block users;
• invite members via links;
• pin messages;
• manage stories or video chats;
• add new admins.

Be careful with the permission to add new admins. Give this only to someone you fully trust. Also check admin rights regularly when your team changes.

What member permissions can you give to regular members?

In the group permissions, you decide what regular members may do. For example, you can limit who may post messages, media, stickers, or links.

Adjust the permissions to match the purpose and size of your group:

Small group of friends

Wide-open permissions are usually fine. All members can talk, reply to each other, and share media.

Announcement group

Restrict posting to admins if the group is mainly for announcements. In that case, consider a Telegram channel too.

Large public community

Limit parts that can create a lot of spam. Set clear rules, add several moderators, and use a reliable moderation bot if needed.

Course or event

Allow participant questions, but pin a message with the topics, schedule, contact details, and behavior rules.

What do new members see of the old chat history?

Telegram groups can have settings for persistent history. This lets you decide whether new members can view messages from before they joined.

Making old history visible is useful when earlier answers, files, and rules remain relevant. Hiding the history works better for a temporary, closed, or sensitive discussion.

Check this choice before you invite many people. Also tell members clearly which part of the history new participants can see.

In a channel, new subscribers see the full channel history by default according to Telegram. That is an important difference between a group and a channel.

How do you write good group rules?

Keep the group rules short and concrete. A long legal text is rarely read all the way through. Use clear sentences and practical examples instead.

Include at least these points:

1. The purpose of the group.
2. Which topics are welcome.
3. Which messages count as spam.
4. How members should respond to each other respectfully.
5. Whether promotion and external links are allowed.
6. What admins do when rules are broken.
7. Where members can ask for private help.

Place the rules in a pinned message so new members can find them quickly. Update the rules when the same problems keep coming back.

How do you give the group a good start?

Before you invite everyone, post at least three useful messages:

• a friendly welcome message;
• the main group rules;
• a first question or discussion topic.

Ask new members to introduce themselves briefly if that fits the group. Reply quickly to the first messages. An empty or quiet group feels less inviting to new participants.

Also make it clear when admins are available. A Telegram group does not have to offer direct support day and night.

Preferably start with relevant people who truly fit the topic. If you want to build an initial member base faster after that, you can targetedly buy Telegram group followers. At the same time, keep posting valuable content and invite interested people yourself as well.

How do you prevent spam and unwanted members?

Do not use the same invitation link everywhere. Create separate links with an expiration date or usage limit. Turn on admin approval when the group is sensitive or private.

You can also take the following measures:

• temporarily restrict new members;
• use a reliable moderation bot;
• limit links or media for regular members;
• add extra admins;
• remove suspicious accounts;
• pin the rules at the top;
• replace revoked links right away when needed.

Also do not send unsolicited group links to large numbers of strangers. Telegram may limit your account after several people report your messages as spam.

What happens if the owner leaves the group?

An important group should always have a clear owner and several trusted admins. Telegram recommends choosing a new owner when the current owner wants to leave the group. That way, the group stays properly managed.

Never share your personal login code to arrange ownership or management. Always use the official admin and ownership features inside Telegram.

Before any transfer, check what rights and security the new owner has. Two-step verification can matter for certain sensitive changes.

What problems do people often run into?

You cannot choose New Group

Update the Telegram app. If needed, use Telegram Desktop and check that you are signed in with the correct account.

The public name you want is already taken

Choose another recognizable username. Do not use a misleading name from an existing brand, company, or famous person.

An invitation link does not work

The link may have been revoked, expired, or reached the maximum allowed number of users. Create a new link and test it with another account.

New members cannot see old messages

Check the setting for persistent chat history. Then decide consciously whether older messages should be visible or not.

Members cannot write

Check the general group permissions and any individual restrictions. An admin may have accidentally disabled posting for regular members.

When is a channel better than a group?

Use a channel when a small admin team publishes messages and everyone else mainly reads. A channel has an unlimited number of subscribers and posts appear under the channel name.

Use a group when members need to talk to each other. You can also create a channel and link a group to it. Members can then go from channel posts to the linked discussion.

Read how to create a Telegram channel. Do you want a closed broadcasting place instead of a group conversation? Then see how to create a Telegram channel.

If you use a channel together with a linked group, you can also add targeted Telegram channel group followers. Just make sure the content and conversation stay interesting enough to keep people engaged.

Frequently asked questions about a Telegram group

How many members can a Telegram group have?

Telegram says groups can support up to 200,000 members.

Is a Telegram group free?

Yes. You can create and manage a group for free with a regular Telegram account.

Does a group work on iPhone, Android, and computer?

Yes. You can create a group on every device. The new group button is just in a slightly different place.

Can I make a private group public later?

Yes. You can do this when you set an available public username. The group then becomes easier to find and easier for other Telegram users to access.

Can new members see old messages?

That depends on the chat history setting. Check this setting in group management before you invite new members.

Can I revoke an invitation link?

Yes. A revoked link stops working immediately. Then create a new link for future invitations.

What step can you take first now?

Create the group through New Group and first add only a trusted contact. Then fill in the name, photo, description, rules, and admin permissions. Test the invitation link before you share it widely.

Choose carefully between a public and a private group. Also decide whether new members may see the old chat history. With this foundation, your Telegram group stays organized as more members and conversations are added.