What to Do If Your Telegram Got Hacked [2025]

Having your Telegram account hacked can be alarming, but acting quickly can minimize damage. Telegram is known for its security, yet account hijacking is a serious problem that can happen in any digital platform.

If you’re wondering what to do if your Telegram account is hacked, this guide will walk you through the steps to regain control, secure your account, and prevent future incidents.

Signs Your Telegram Account May Be Hacked

How do you know if your Telegram is hacked? Here are a few common red flags to watch for:

• Profile Changes: Your username or profile picture has changed without your input. Hackers might alter these to spread scams (e.g. adding a phishing link to your bio).
• Strange Messages: Friends receive odd messages or requests from your account that you never sent. Often, attackers message your contacts asking for money or clicking links, then delete those outgoing messages so you don’t see them.
• Unauthorized Logins: You notice unknown active sessions in your Telegram Devices list, or you receive login confirmation codes via SMS when you weren’t logging in. This could mean someone else is trying to access your account.
• Locked Out: In some cases, you might get logged out of Telegram unexpectedly and cannot log back in, indicating the intruder may have taken over your account on their device.

If any of these happen, assume your Telegram got hacked and take action immediately.

Telegram’s security measures give you about 24 hours to respond before an attacker can fully kick you out of all sessions. Don’t delay – use the following steps to secure your account and limit the damage.

Immediate Steps to Secure a Hacked Telegram Account

If your Telegram account has been hacked, follow these step-by-step actions to regain control and protect your data.

1. Terminate Unknown Active Sessions

Open Telegram Settings > Devices (Active Sessions) and remove any sessions you don’t recognize. On desktop Telegram, go to Settings > Devices or Active Sessions and terminate suspicious sessions.

Select “Terminate All Other Sessions”, which logs out all devices except the one you’re using. This immediately cuts off the hacker’s access to your account.

It’s also wise to enable Telegram’s auto-logout feature so old sessions close after a period of inactivity.

2. Enable Two-Step Verification (Set a Login Password)

If you haven’t already, set up Telegram’s two-step verification password to add an extra layer of security. This feature requires a password (in addition to the verification code) whenever you log in on a new device.

Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification and create a strong, unique password (Telegram will also ask for a hint and a recovery email). This way, even if the hacker intercepted your login code, they can’t re-enter your account without the password.

If the hacker managed to set or change a two-step verification password before you, use your recovery email to reset it, or proceed to contacting support in Step 4.

Note: While in Privacy and Security settings, you should also consider enabling a local passcode lock for the Telegram app (under Passcode Lock / Passcode & Face ID). This ensures that even if someone gains physical access to your phone, they can’t read your chats without the app passcode.

3. Scan and Secure Your Devices

Hackers often gain access through malware or phishing. To be safe, check your phone and computers for malware or suspicious apps. Make sure your operating system and Telegram app are updated to the latest version (updates often patch security issues).

If you suspect your Telegram was compromised via a malicious link or app, run a trusted antivirus scan. Additionally, if the breach might have involved your SMS or phone number (for instance, a SIM-swap or code interception scam), contact your mobile carrier.

4. Contact Telegram Support (If Needed)

If you lost access to your account entirely (for example, the hacker changed your associated phone number or you’re logged out on all devices), reach out to Telegram for help.

Go to the Telegram Support page and fill out the form with details: your phone number, what happened, and that your account was hacked. Provide as much information as possible (e.g. any related messages or screenshots) to prove ownership.

Telegram’s support is handled by a volunteer team, so responses can take time – be patient but thorough. If you still have some access (e.g. on one logged-in device), you can also use Settings > Ask a Question in the app to chat with the Telegram volunteer support bot.

In some cases, you might also report the compromised account through Telegram’s @notoscam bot (search for “@notoscam” with the verified checkmark) to alert them of a hijacked account

Note: Be wary of any random people offering “help” – only trust the official in-app support or Telegram’s website. Telegram will never DM you asking for codes.

5. Alert Your Contacts

Hackers often impersonate victims to scam their friends and family. Inform your Telegram contacts right away that your account was hacked and not to trust any unusual messages or links coming from your number.

Post a quick message (or use another platform if you currently can’t access Telegram) to warn others of the situation. This will prevent your friends from falling for any scams the attacker might attempt using your identity.

If messages were sent while you were compromised, delete any you can see in your chats and consider posting an apology/explanation in group chats you’re in – people appreciate knowing it wasn’t really you messaging them.

6. Consider Account Recovery or Replacement

In many cases, following the above steps (terminating sessions and adding 2FA) will allow you to keep using your account safely. However, if the hacker completely locked you out and you cannot recover access, you have a tough choice: you may need to delete the account and create a new one with your phone number.

Telegram allows you to delete an account via the Deactivation page on their site, but only if you can receive a confirmation code or have your two-step verification email set up.

Deleting an account is irreversible – you will lose all your chats, groups, and channels for that number. But it may be better than letting the hacker continue using your identity. After deletion, you can immediately sign up for a fresh Telegram account with the same number.

If even deletion isn’t possible (e.g. no access and no 2FA email set beforehand), you might have to register a new Telegram account with a different phone number to start over. In that case, notify your contacts that your old account is no longer under your control.

Preventing Future Telegram Hacks

Recovering from a hack is stressful, so it’s best to shore up your security to avoid a repeat incident.

Here are some tips to protect your Telegram account going forward:

• Keep Two-Step Verification On: Add a login password so hackers can’t access your account with just the SMS code.
• Never Share Codes or Passwords: Telegram will never ask for them. Treat all such requests as scams.
• Beware of Phishing Links: Don’t click suspicious links or downloads. Only get Telegram from official sources.
• Secure Your Phone Number: Add a PIN or lock with your carrier to block SIM-swap attacks.
• Use Device and App Locks: Protect your phone with a PIN/biometrics and enable Telegram’s passcode lock.
• Update and Secure Apps: Keep Telegram updated, run antivirus, and use a VPN on public Wi-Fi.
• Check Other Accounts: If one account was hacked, review others for unusual activity and change weak passwords.

Final Thoughts

Getting your Telegram account compromised is scary, but by following this guide, you now know what to do when your Telegram account is hacked: act fast to kick out the intruder, secure your login with a password, inform others, and seek help from Telegram support if needed.

Remember that prevention is key – a few security measures (like 2FA and careful handling of codes) can spare you a lot of trouble down the line. Stay cautious with unexpected messages and keep your app up to date.

With your Telegram account secured, you can continue chatting safely, and hopefully you’ll never have to worry what to do if your Telegram account is hacked!

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