Telegram asks for a phone number when you sign up, and that is the moment many people start worrying. Will the person you message see it? Can a stranger from a group find your account? The good news is that Telegram gives you full control over who sees your number, and anonymous chat bots add another layer on top. Here is how to set everything up in a few minutes.
Who Can See Your Phone Number by Default
Your number is visible to people who already have it saved in their contacts. Telegram can also show it to others depending on your privacy settings, which is why it is worth checking them once instead of guessing. In groups and channels, members see your name and username, not your number, unless your settings allow it.
Step 1: Hide Your Number in Privacy Settings
- Open Telegram and go to Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Security.
- Open Phone Number.
- Under Who can see my phone number, choose Nobody.
- An extra option appears: Who can find me by my number. Set it to My Contacts so strangers who type your number into search can't find your account.
After this change, even people you chat with directly won't see your number unless they already have it saved.
Step 2: Create a Username Instead
A username lets people reach you without knowing your phone number. Go to Settings, tap your profile and choose Username. Pick something that doesn't include your real name, birth year or city – a neutral nickname works best. You can change or remove it at any time.
Step 3: Lock Down the Rest of Your Profile
The phone number is only one part of your identity. In the same Privacy and Security menu, review these items:
- Last Seen & Online – hide when you are active.
- Profile Photos – show your photo only to contacts, or use an image that isn't your face.
- Forwarded Messages – stop others from linking forwarded messages back to your account.
- Calls – limit who can call you, and set peer-to-peer to Nobody so your IP address isn't exposed during calls.
- Groups & Channels – choose who can add you to groups, so you don't end up in spam chats.
- Bio – remove details like your workplace, school or social media handles.
Step 4: Use an Anonymous Chat Bot for Conversations With Strangers
Privacy settings protect your account, but a bot goes further: the other person never reaches your account at all. In an anonymous chat bot, messages travel through the bot, so your partner sees only the text and voice messages you send – not your username, photo or number.
That is how Chatus works. You open the bot inside Telegram, tap start and get connected to a random person. When you want to leave, you end the chat and the stranger has no way to contact you again. If you want to understand what information stays hidden and what doesn't, read can someone track you on an anonymous chat app.
Habits That Keep You Anonymous
Settings can't protect details you type yourself. A few habits matter just as much:
- Don't share your number "to continue on WhatsApp". If you want to keep talking, exchange usernames first and only share more once you trust the person.
- Check photos before sending. Pictures can show your street, your school logo or documents in the background.
- Avoid unique details. Your full name, exact address, workplace and daily routine are enough to find you.
- Be careful with links. Don't open links from strangers that ask you to log in or "verify" your Telegram account.
For a wider checklist that goes beyond Telegram, see our guide on how to stay anonymous online.
What About Signing Up Without a Personal Number?
Telegram also supports anonymous numbers bought through Fragment, its blockchain-based marketplace. They let you create an account that isn't tied to a SIM card. For most people this is unnecessary – hiding your number and using a bot already keeps strangers away from it.
FAQ
If I hide my number, can contacts still see it?
Yes. People who already have your number saved can still see it. The setting stops everyone else.
Can a Telegram bot see my phone number?
A bot receives your Telegram name and username, but not your phone number – unless you press a button to share your contact. Chatus doesn't ask you to share it.
Will the person in an anonymous chat see my username?
No. In Chatus messages are forwarded through the bot, so your partner doesn't see your username, profile photo or number.
Start Chatting Without Sharing Your Number
Once your privacy settings are in place, you're ready for a stranger chat that stays anonymous from start to finish. Open Chatus, pick a random chat or a text chat and say hi – your number stays yours.
