Hide your Telegram number – clients can still write to you

On Telegram clients don't need your number. They can write to you via your username – for example t.me/yourname. Here's how to set it up.

In three steps

1. Create a username: Settings → Username. Pick a name clients can find you by (e.g. for your ad).
2. Hide your number: Settings → Privacy and Security → Phone Number → “Who can see my phone number?” → Nobody.
3. Turn off search by number: In the same menu, “Who can find me by my number?” → My Contacts.

Menu names may differ slightly depending on Telegram version and language.

What clients see then

Your name, profile picture and username – but no number. Anyone who already has your number saved still knows it, of course. That's why a separate number for work is worth it.

And buhu?

buhu replies in your Telegram chats whether the client writes via your number or your username. buhu doesn't change your privacy settings.