How to Remove My Phone Number from Telegram Account

Telegram is one of the most widely used messaging platforms, offering a range of features to connect users globally. However, there are times when you may want to remove your phone number from your Telegram account for privacy or security reasons. This guide will walk you through the process of removing your phone number from Telegram, explain why you might want to do so, and provide additional tips to enhance your privacy on the platform. Additionally, we’ll introduce Turrit, a third-party Telegram client, which offers extra features for managing privacy settings.

Why You Might Want to Remove Your Phone Number from Telegram

Removing your phone number from Telegram might be necessary for various reasons, including:

Privacy Concerns: You may not want others to access your phone number, especially when interacting with strangers or in large groups.

Changing Contact Information: If you’re switching to a new number, you may want to remove your old number from your Telegram account before updating to a new one.

Enhanced Anonymity: For those who want to use Telegram without associating their real phone number, removing it adds an extra layer of privacy.

Avoiding Spam: If you're receiving unwanted messages or spam from people who have access to your phone number, removing it can reduce unwanted contact.

How to Remove Your Phone Number from Telegram

Although Telegram typically requires a phone number to sign up, you can still take steps to remove or hide your phone number from being publicly visible. Here's how you can manage it:

Remove Your Phone Number by Deleting Your Account

The most extreme method to remove your phone number from Telegram is to delete your entire account. Once your account is deleted, all traces of your phone number, messages, and contacts will be wiped from Telegram's servers.

To delete your Telegram account:

1. Open the Telegram App: Launch the app on your phone or PC.

2. Navigate to Settings: In the app, tap on the menu (three lines) in the top-left corner and go to Settings.

3. Go to FAQ: Scroll down and click on Help > Telegram FAQ.

4. Follow the Instructions: In the FAQ section, search for “Delete your account.” You will be directed to Telegram’s deletion page.

5. Enter Your Phone Number: On the website, enter your phone number to receive a confirmation code.

6. Confirm Deletion: After entering the code, confirm the deletion, and your account (and phone number) will be permanently removed from Telegram.

Note: This method deletes everything associated with your account, including your contacts, chats, and media. It is irreversible.

Hide Your Phone Number from Other Users

If you don’t want to delete your entire account but prefer to hide your phone number from others, you can adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your number. Here’s how to hide your phone number:

1. Open Telegram App: Launch the app and go to Settings.

2. Go to Privacy and Security: In the Settings menu, tap on Privacy and Security.

3. Select Phone Number: In the Privacy section, tap on Phone Number.

4. Choose Who Can See Your Number: Select one of the following options:

   Everybody: Your phone number will be visible to everyone.

   My Contacts: Only your contacts can see your number.

   Nobody: No one will be able to see your phone number (this is the most private option).

   Custom: Allows you to choose specific people who can or can’t see your number.

By selecting Nobody, you can hide your phone number from all users on Telegram while still maintaining an active account.

Change Your Phone Number in Telegram

If you want to keep using Telegram but need to update your phone number, you can change it directly within the app. This method ensures that your new phone number is associated with your account, while the old one is removed.

1. Go to Settings: Open Telegram and tap on the menu (three lines) in the top-left corner to access Settings.

2. Tap on Your Phone Number: At the top of the settings screen, tap on your phone number.

3. Change Number: Select Change Number from the options.

4. Enter New Phone Number: Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your new phone number and verify it via an SMS code.

5. Confirm Change: Once you enter the verification code, your account will be switched to the new phone number, and your old number will be removed.

This method allows you to keep using Telegram with your new number, while your previous number is no longer associated with your account.

Using Turrit for Enhanced Privacy Management

For those who want even more control over their privacy on Telegram, Turrit offers additional tools to help you manage your account and data. Turrit is a third-party Telegram client that allows users to:

Hide Phone Numbers: Turrit provides advanced privacy settings to manage who can see your number. You can set up detailed access controls to limit the exposure of your phone number even further.

Backup and Export Chats: Turrit allows you to easily back up all of your chats and media, ensuring that your data is safely stored before you make any changes to your account.

Secure Account Settings: Turrit offers additional security features, such as two-step verification, to ensure your account remains safe from unauthorized access.

If you’re looking to enhance your privacy and ensure that your personal data stays protected, Turrit offers an excellent solution for advanced Telegram users.

What Happens After Removing Your Phone Number

Limited Functionality: After you remove or hide your phone number, some features might be limited. For instance, you won’t be able to use Telegram’s “Find People Nearby” feature, as it requires access to your number.

Notifications: Even if you hide your phone number, others may still be able to contact you based on your username.

Searchable by Username: If your username is public, others can still find you on Telegram through search, even if your phone number is hidden.

Conclusion

Removing your phone number from Telegram can significantly enhance your privacy, but it requires a few steps. Whether you want to delete your account entirely, hide your number, or switch to a new number, Telegram provides different options. By using Turrit, a third-party Telegram client, you can take your privacy management to the next level with enhanced features like detailed privacy controls and backup options.

If you are concerned about protecting your personal information, taking advantage of Telegram's privacy settings or using Turrit to manage your data is an excellent way to maintain control over your account.