Telegram account banned or limited: what to do

In short

What should I do if my Telegram account is limited?

Telegram says a first limit usually lasts a few days and can't be lifted sooner on request. Meanwhile you can still message people who saved your number and reply to anyone who writes first. If you're sure the limit is a mistake, contact @SpamBot in Telegram. For login or registration problems, Telegram has a support form at telegram.org/support.

Why Telegram limits accounts

When people tap Report spam in a chat, the messages go to Telegram's moderators. If they agree, the account is limited temporarily and loses the ability to message strangers or post spam in groups.

Telegram says people mostly mind unsolicited advertising, links and invite links to groups or channels, random photos and anything about commerce or online popularity. Group admins can also report users who post spam in their groups.

What a limited account can still do

Send messages to people who have your number saved as a contact.
Reply to anyone who messages you first.
Wait out the limit: Telegram says a first limit usually lasts a few days, while repeated offences mean longer limits and can remove the ability to message strangers for good.

If the limit is a mistake

1Open Telegram and start a chat with @SpamBot, Telegram's official bot for limited accounts.
2Explain what happened. Telegram admits its systems and moderators can make mistakes, and asks you to contact @SpamBot if you're sure the limit was applied wrongly.
3If you've just signed up and haven't sent anything yet, tell @SpamBot that too: Telegram says some numbers trigger limits because of a previous owner's activity or because they are virtual or VoIP numbers.

Can't log in, or lost your phone

Telegram identifies users only by their phone number, so whoever has the number has the account. Telegram says it can't help unless you can reach that number or are still logged in on one of your devices. For registration or login problems, use the form at telegram.org/support.

1Still logged in on another device? Turn on Two-Step Verification in Settings, Privacy and Security, so the number alone can't open the account.
2Then end the session on the lost phone: Settings, Devices (or Privacy and Security, Active Sessions).
3No other device? Ask your mobile operator to block the old SIM and issue a new one with your number, then log in with it and end the old session.

Keep the account safe

Never share a login code. Telegram sends codes for your account only to the verified chat named Telegram; the Verification Codes chat is for codes from other services.
Set a Two-Step Verification password with a recovery email, and protect that email with a strong password too.
Keep the phone number up to date. Telegram warns that if you lose a number that's still on the account, you risk losing access for good.
If a scammer is pretending to be you, report it to @NoToScam.

Frequently asked questions

Can Telegram lift my limit sooner?

No. Telegram's spam FAQ says releasing an account early on request is impossible. If you believe the limit is wrong, contact @SpamBot.

Can I recover a deleted Telegram account?

No. Telegram says deleting an account is irreversible: if you sign up again, you appear as a new user without your old chats, contacts or groups. Accounts that stay offline for 18 months are deleted by default; you can change that period in Settings.

Someone asked me for the code Telegram sent. What now?

Don't send it: Telegram says login codes should never be shared with anyone, including other apps. If you already did, turn on Two-Step Verification and end every session you don't recognize in Settings, Devices.

Official sources

The platforms' own help and policy pages. We are not affiliated with them.