How to Join a Telegram Group (Invite Links and Public Groups)

Telegram groups are where a lot of communities live now: local business networks, course cohorts, hobby clubs and creator fan groups. Telegram's FAQ describes groups as ideal for sharing things with friends and family or collaborating in small teams, though they can grow far bigger than that.

There are two main ways in: an invite link someone sends you, or a public group anyone can find. I'll go through both, what you'll see once you're inside, and how to tell a group from a channel, because people often join the wrong one. If you're thinking of starting a group for your own customers, there's a section on that too.

Joining a Telegram group with an invite link

This is the most common way. A group admin creates an invite link and shares it, often by email, on a website or in another messaging app. Telegram's FAQ says anyone who has Telegram installed can join by following the link.

1. Make sure Telegram is installed on your phone or computer and you're signed in.
2. Tap or click the invite link you were sent.
3. Telegram opens and shows the group.
4. Tap Join Group.
5. Say hello, or read the pinned messages first to learn the group's rules.

The exact button wording can vary slightly by app version and device, but it's always the obvious option at the bottom of the screen.

If you don't have Telegram yet, Telegram's blog says that as soon as you get it, you can instantly join the group just by following the same link.

Finding and joining a public Telegram group

Some groups are public. Telegram's FAQ explains that an admin can give a group a short link and make it public, and then anybody can view the group's entire chat history and join to post messages. These short links usually start with t.me followed by the group's name.

1. Open the group's t.me link from a website, social post or email signature.
2. Scroll through the chat history to see whether it's the right fit.
3. Tap Join when you're ready to take part.

Being able to read the history before joining is handy: you can check the tone and how active people are before you commit.

Why a Telegram invite link stops working

Telegram's FAQ says that if an admin revokes an invite link, it stops working immediately. So if a link you were sent says it's no longer valid, ask the person who shared it for a fresh one. It isn't something you can fix on your end.

Telegram groups versus channels

	Group	Channel
Who posts	Members chat together	Admins broadcast to followers
Size	Up to 200,000 members	No limit on the audience
Best for	Conversation and teamwork	Announcements and updates

If you join something and find you can't post, you've probably joined a channel, not a group. That's normal. Channels are built for one-to-many updates.

What changes once you join a Telegram group

• You'll see messages from everyone in the group, and they'll see yours.
• Telegram's FAQ says that people who don't have your phone number can still find you when you're both members of the same group.
• Admins can have specific powers, such as controlling who can add users or manage messages.
• You can mute a busy group so it doesn't buzz all day, without leaving it.

That second point matters for privacy. If you'd rather people in big groups couldn't see your number, check Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Phone Number. By default, Telegram's FAQ says your number is only visible to people you've saved as contacts.

Good manners in a new Telegram group

Every group has its own culture, so spend your first day mostly listening. Look at how people introduce themselves, whether links are welcome and what time of day the conversation is busiest. If there's a welcome thread or a pinned introduction, use it. A short hello that says who you are and what you're interested in goes down far better than a long sales pitch, and it makes it much easier for the admins and other members to start a conversation with you.

Joining Telegram groups for your business

For small business owners, groups can be a brilliant way to meet peers and potential customers, but join with a plan. Pick a handful of groups where your ideal customers or fellow professionals gather, read the rules, and add value before you mention what you sell. Nobody likes the person who joins and drops a link straight away.

If you'd like to run your own group or channel for customers, my guide to using Telegram for marketing your business covers setting one up. Many communities also run on other apps: here's how to join a Discord server and how to add someone to a WhatsApp group for comparison.

If you can't join a Telegram group

1. Check Telegram is installed and you're logged in, then open the link again.
2. Ask for a new invite link if the old one says it's invalid. The admin may have revoked it.
3. Check you're opening the full link, not a shortened or broken copy.
4. If you can read but not post, you may be in a channel, or the admins may restrict who can send messages.
5. If someone in a group harasses or threatens you, report it to Telegram and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

Frequently asked questions

How do I join a Telegram group?

Tap the group's invite link or public t.me link with Telegram installed, then tap Join. Telegram's FAQ says anyone with the app can join by following an invite link.

Can I join a Telegram group without an invite link?

Yes, if the group is public. Public groups have a short link, and Telegram says anyone can view their chat history and join to post.

Why does my Telegram invite link not work?

The admin may have revoked it. Telegram says a revoked link stops working immediately, so ask for a new one.

How many people can be in a Telegram group?

Telegram's FAQ says groups can have up to 200,000 members each.

Can people in a Telegram group see my phone number?

By default, Telegram shows your number only to people you've saved as contacts. You can change this under Settings, Privacy and Security, Phone Number.