Emily Bennett
How To Update Your Phone Number on Telegram: A Complete Guide
Swapping your phone number on Telegram sounds simple enough, but sometimes things get weird. Maybe you’re trying to update your number after switching devices or just don’t want your old one floating around anymore. Either way, the process is kind of straightforward, but a few hiccups pop up if you’re not careful—like not receiving the verification SMS or losing your chat history if you mess up the steps. So, this guide digs into the real-world stuff—what actually works, what trips people up, and tips to smooth out the process. By the end, you’ll be able to swap numbers without losing your contacts, groups, or chats (mostly).
How to Fix Telegram Phone Number Change Issues
Method 1: Double-check your account settings and access
First thing, make sure you have access to both your old phone number and your new one. Perhaps the SMS verification isn’t arriving? Well, sometimes it’s just a network glitch, especially if you’re in an area with poor signal or on Wi-Fi only—hot mess. On your device, open Settings > Privacy and Security > Active Sessions and see if your account is active on the new device or if you see any weird sessions. Also, ensure your phone number is correct in Settings > Account.
It helps to verify that your device’s time and date are correct—if your clock’s out of whack, SMS verification can fail because Telegram’s servers get confused. On Android, check Settings > Date & Time. On iOS, go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
Expect to spend a few mins fiddling with these settings if verification fails repeatedly. Sometimes, simply toggling airplane mode on and off can refresh your network connection enough for the SMS to land.
Method 2: Use an alternative verification method if SMS fails
If SMS verification turns into a no-show, it’s worth trying the voice call option. When you get to the Enter Verification Code step, look for the Call me button. Telegram will call your new number and read out the code. This bypasses SMS delivery issues—because, of course, sometimes the mobile network is just being stubborn.
Another little trick: make sure your SIM is active, and your phone is able to receive calls or texts. Sometimes, especially with dual SIM setups or VoLTE restrictions, the verification SMS gets stuck or lost. In these cases, try inserting a plain old SIM card or switching your network mode (like switching from LTE to 3G) to get better reception. On some setups, toggling airplane mode clears the network bugs effectively.
Method 3: Verify your number through the desktop app or Web
This isn’t always needed, but on some machines, switching to the Telegram desktop app or visiting the Web version can help. There’s an odd bug where the mobile app refuses to send verification codes sometimes, but the desktop sees your account fine. If that’s the case, try a quick login/verification through Telegram Web—it might kick the process into gear, or at least confirm if your account is still tied to your old number or not.
Keep in mind, for security, Telegram often ties verification to your device’s ID, so using desktop can sometimes bypass weird mobile bugs. Once verified on one device, you can switch back to your phone and complete the number change there.
Method 4: Update your app or reinstall if things get stuck
This sounds basic, but outdated apps can cause verification issues or weird bugs. Check for updates on your app store (both Google Play and App Store). If things still hang, uninstall Telegram and reinstall fresh. Make sure to backup your chats if needed—Telegram offers a Chat Export feature in Settings > Chat Settings. This way, if something goes wrong, at least your data is safe.
Often, a clean reinstall clears out leftover cache or corrupted files that prevent verification from working. In my experience, on some setups, this really solves stubborn verification problems.
Extra tips & common pitfalls
- Make sure you can actually receive SMS on your new number—spam filters or carrier issues sometimes block verification messages. Ask your carrier if needed.
- If you’re changing your number from abroad, check if your country code is right or if Telegram regional restrictions apply.
- If verification codes keep failing, sometimes resetting network settings can fix weird bugs. On Android Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. On iOS, Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Keep in mind, Telegram sometimes flags too many number changes as suspicious. If you change your number excessively, you might need to verify additional info or wait a bit before trying again.
Wrap-up
Moving your number over on Telegram isn’t too complicated, but it’s that pesky little verification step that trips folks. Double-check everything—your network, app version, and account info. If one method doesn’t work, jump to the next (like voice calls or reinstalling). Usually, with a bit of patience, the verification code will land, and your account’s all set on the new number.
Summary
- Verify your network connection & time settings
- Try voice call verification if SMS fails
- Use Telegram Web or desktop to troubleshoot
- Update or reinstall the app if necessary
- Check your carrier’s SMS delivery to avoid missing codes
Fingers crossed this helps
Changing numbers in Telegram can get weird, but approaching it methodically usually does the trick. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of waiting a few minutes or toggling a setting. When it works, it’s pretty satisfying—no chat or contact loss, just a simple update. If this gets one thing moving, then mission accomplished.