How to Create a Telegram Channel: Steps, Privacy and Admins (2026)

A Telegram channel is a simple way to send updates to lots of people without starting a group chat. If you run a small business, a club, a community or a creator page, it works like a noticeboard that people can follow, and only you and your admins can post to it.

I've followed Telegram's own channel pages for the steps below. Telegram updates its apps often, so menu names can differ slightly from what I describe. Where that matters, I've said so.

What a Telegram channel is, and how it differs from a group

Telegram describes channels as a tool for broadcasting public messages to large audiences. Posts are signed with the channel's name and not yours, and Telegram says only admins can post. That's the big difference from a group, where everyone can chat.

Telegram also says channels can have an unlimited number of subscribers, so you aren't squeezed by a size limit as you grow. The subscriber list is visible only to the owner and admins, and subscribers can't see who manages the channel.

Creating a Telegram channel on an iPhone

1. Open Telegram and go to Chats.
2. Start a new message by tapping the icon in the top-right corner.
3. Choose New Channel.
4. Add a name for the channel and, if the screen offers it, a description and a photo.
5. Finish the setup and decide whether the channel will be private or public.

Creating a Telegram channel on Android

1. Open Telegram and look at your chat list.
2. Tap the pencil icon.
3. Choose New Channel.
4. Add a name and, if offered, a description and a photo.
5. Follow the prompts to finish, including whether it's private or public.

The first three steps come straight from Telegram's channel FAQ. Names, descriptions and photos are where the screens can differ between versions, so follow the prompts you see.

Choosing between a private and a public Telegram channel

Telegram's channel tour says new channels start as private, but you can edit their profile to make them public. The two types behave differently:

• Public: has a username, can be found in Telegram search, and anyone can join. Telegram says public channels can be viewed on the web without a Telegram account.
• Private: people can only join if you add them or share an invite link.

A public channel gets a t.me link based on its username, which is easy to put on a business card, an email signature or your website. A private channel uses an invite link instead, which suits a team, a class or a customer group you want to control.

Adding admins to your Telegram channel

You can appoint extra admins and set granular permissions for each, according to Telegram. That's useful if a colleague handles posting while you manage everything else. The channel owner keeps the most control, including the ability to remove admins.

Telegram also says you can turn on signatures, which show the posting admin's chosen screen name on a post without linking to their profile.

Posting to your new Telegram channel

Once the channel exists, you post to it like sending a message. Two features from Telegram's tour are worth knowing early:

• Scheduled posts: you can set a post to go live automatically at a specified time.
• Silent messages: they notify subscribers without a sound, which suits late-night or non-urgent updates.

A short first post that says what the channel is for, how often you'll post and what to expect is a better start than a blank page. If you also run a WhatsApp community, my guide to creating a WhatsApp channel shows how the two compare.

Planning what your Telegram channel will post

Before you share the link, decide who the channel is for and what they'll get from it. A shop might share new arrivals and opening hours, a coach might send a weekly tip, and a local group might post event reminders. Because only admins can post, readers expect something consistent.

• Write a one-line purpose for the channel and keep it in the description.
• Pick a posting rhythm you can keep up, even in a busy week.
• Use silent messages for non-urgent updates so nobody feels pestered.
• Pin the most useful post if the app offers it, so newcomers see it first.

Who can see who has joined your Telegram channel

Telegram says the subscriber list is visible only to the owner and admins. Subscribers can't see who manages the channel either. That's reassuring for readers who'd rather not have their membership on show, but it also means they can't see each other's names.

Keeping your Telegram channel safe

Treat your invite link like a key: share it only where you mean to. If someone is causing trouble, my guides to blocking someone on Telegram and reporting someone on Telegram cover the options. And if you ever feel unsafe because of a message you receive, report it to the platform and contact the police if you're in danger.

If you can't create a Telegram channel

1. Update the Telegram app and try again.
2. Check you're using the new message icon on the Chats screen, not the contacts screen.
3. Look for New Channel in the menu that appears after you tap the new message icon or the pencil.
4. Restart the app and check your connection.
5. If New Channel still isn't offered, check Telegram's help pages or contact Telegram support.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a Telegram channel?

Start a new message from Chats and choose New Channel. On iPhone use the top-right icon, and on Android tap the pencil icon in the chat list. Then add a name and follow the prompts.

Is a new Telegram channel public or private?

Telegram says new channels start as private, and you can edit the profile to make one public.

How many people can join a Telegram channel?

Telegram says channels can have an unlimited number of subscribers.

Can subscribers post in my Telegram channel?

No. Telegram says only admins can post. For a conversation, you'd use a group instead.

Can I schedule posts in a Telegram channel?

Yes. Telegram says you can schedule posts to go live automatically at a specified time, and send silent messages that notify subscribers without sound.

Can I add other admins to my Telegram channel?

Yes. Telegram says you can appoint extra admins and set granular permissions for each.