How to Join a Telegram Group: Links, Search and QR Codes
Tap an invite link, search the group's name or @username, or scan its QR code, then tap Join. Some groups need approval first. How to start your own group.
To join a Telegram group, tap its invite link, or search for its name or @username in Telegram, then tap Join. Some groups make you ask first, so you'll see Request to Join instead. A group can hold up to 200,000 members, Telegram says, and a public one lets you read its whole history before you join.
We read Telegram's own groups page and FAQ through our server on October 23, 2026, along with Metricgram's guide, updated October 12, 2026.
"How to join a telegram group" gets about 9,900 searches a month, up 22%. "How to find telegram groups" gets another 8,100.
How do you join a Telegram group with a link?
Tap the link and Telegram opens the group. "As soon as they get Telegram, they can instantly join your Telegram group just by following that link," Telegram's groups page says. There are two kinds of link:
| Link | What it looks like | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| Public | t.me/groupname | Open groups |
| Private | A + and random letters | Invite-only groups |
Telegram's groups page and Metricgram's guide, read October 23, 2026.
Public links follow the group's username, so an old one can stop working if the admin changes it, Metricgram notes. Private links can expire, have a use limit or need approval. If a link has died, ask whoever shared it for a fresh one.
How do you find Telegram groups?
Use the search bar. Tap the magnifying glass and type a topic, a group's name or its exact @username. Groups show up next to channels, bots and people. Tap one to preview it, then tap Join.
Search won't find private groups. "Telegram controls which public groups appear for a search, and results can vary," Metricgram's guide says. So if a broad keyword shows nothing, it's worth trying the exact username, or the group's own website or channel.
What other ways can you join?
- QR codes. Some groups print a code at events or on packaging. It just holds a t.me link, so scanning it works the same as tapping one. Telegram can scan codes too, from the QR icon in Settings, Metricgram says.
- Being added. In small groups, any member can add you directly.
- Request to Join. If a group needs approval, you can't read or post until an admin accepts you.
To stop strangers adding you to groups, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Groups & Channels, and pick who can add you, Metricgram's guide says.
What's the difference between a group and a channel?
A group's for talking, and a channel's for broadcasting. "Telegram groups are ideal for sharing stuff with friends and family or collaboration in small teams," its FAQ says, and they "support communities of up to 200,000 members." Channels are "a tool for broadcasting messages to large audiences," and "a channel can have an unlimited number of subscribers." You join a channel the same way, with its link or by searching for it.
How do you create your own Telegram group?
Telegram's FAQ gives the steps for each app:
- iPhone: start a new message from the icon in the top right corner of Chats, then tap New Group.
- Android: tap the circular pencil icon in the chat list, then New Group.
- Desktop: click the menu button in the top left corner, then New Group.
To invite people, open the group's Add participant section and tap Invite to Group via Link, Telegram's groups page says. Want a short public address? Groups "can become public and get a short link," so "anybody can view the group's entire chat history and join to post messages."
Stay safe in groups
Read the pinned messages first, since that's where many groups keep their rules. Never share a login code, even with someone who says they're an admin. Telegram's FAQ says login codes "should never be shared with anyone, including other services or apps."
Growing a group or channel?
Our guides on how to make money on Telegram, Telegram Premium and Telegram Stars cover what comes next. Hclout sells Telegram members, so weigh that the way you'd weigh any seller. Its free tier gives 5 free Telegram subscribers on a public channel, with no password, on the free page. A short Cloudflare check runs before each claim.
Frequently asked questions
How do I join a private Telegram group?
You need an invite link from the admin or a member. If the group requires approval, send a request and wait for an admin.
Why can't I join a Telegram group?
The link may have expired or changed, the group may be full, or it may need admin approval first.
How many people can join a Telegram group?
Up to 200,000 members, Telegram says. Channels have no limit.
Can I see a Telegram group's messages before joining?
For public groups, yes. Telegram says anybody can view a public group's chat history.
How do I find Telegram groups by topic?
Search for the topic in Telegram. Only public groups show up, and results vary.
Sources
- Telegram, "Group Chats on Telegram" (telegram.org/tour/groups) and the Telegram FAQ, read through our server on October 23, 2026
- Metricgram, "How to Join a Telegram Group," March 17, 2026, updated October 12, 2026, read October 23, 2026
- Google Ads Keyword Planner, worldwide, read October 23, 2026, and Google US results, October 23, 2026
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