With over 800 million active users worldwide, Telegram has become a popular platform for privacy-conscious messaging. However, its popularity also makes it a target for hackers and cybercriminals. If you believe your Telegram account has been hacked or compromised, taking immediate action is crucial to protect your data and prevent further damage.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to recover a hacked Telegram account and secure it from future threats.
Step-by-Step Recovery Methods for a Hacked Telegram Account
1. Contact Telegram Support
The fastest and most direct method is to report the hack to Telegram’s support team:
- Open the Telegram app → Go to Settings → Tap on Ask a Question/Contact Us.
- Alternatively, use Telegram’s Support Page.
- Provide your phone number and a description of the issue.
- You may be required to provide proof of identity or past chat information.
You can also email:
- recover@telegram.org (for recovery)
- abuse@telegram.org (for abuse complaints)
- spam@telegram.org (for spam-related issues)
Subject line: “Hacked Telegram Account – [Your Number]”
Explain the situation clearly and attach screenshots or suspicious activity evidence if available.
2. Terminate All Active Sessions
To kick out intruders:
- Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Active Sessions.
- Review the list of devices. Terminate all suspicious sessions.
- Use “Terminate All Other Sessions” to log out of all devices except your current one.
3. Change Your Email and Telegram Passcode
A hacker may have entered through your linked email:
- Log in to your email account and change the password immediately.
- Ensure your password is strong: use a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
Then, change your Telegram passcode:
- Go to Settings → Privacy and Security → Passcode Lock → Tap Change Passcode.
Privacy Hardening Tips to Prevent Future Hacks
1. Strengthen Telegram Privacy Settings
- Phone Number Visibility: Set to Nobody.
- Last Seen & Online: Nobody.
- Profile Photos: My Contacts.
- Forwarded Messages: Nobody.
- Calls and Group Invites: Restrict to My Contacts.
2. Enable Two-Step Verification
In Privacy and Security, activate Two-Step Verification to add a password to your Telegram login. This extra layer ensures that even if someone gets your SMS OTP, they can’t access your account.
3. Be Cautious of Phishing Links
Do not click on unknown links or download files from suspicious sources—even if sent by someone you know (they might be hacked).
Final Option: Delete Telegram Account
If you’re unable to regain access or want to permanently close your account:
- Visit https://my.telegram.org/auth
- Log in with your number, enter the OTP, and follow the steps to delete your account.
- Choose a reason for deletion and confirm.
Act Fast, Stay Secure
Being hacked on Telegram is scary—but it can be fixed with the right steps. The key lies in quick response, strong privacy settings, and ongoing vigilance. Once recovered, make sure to keep your device secure, your passwords updated, and always verify suspicious activity.
For added protection, use trusted antivirus software, and consider periodically reviewing your digital footprint.