Have you ever wondered, “Will my contacts get notified when I join Telegram?”
In this blog post, we’re going to dive into the answer to that question and explore everything you need to know about notifications on Telegram.
We’ll also talk about privacy settings, compare Telegram to other messaging apps, and share a few fun facts along the way. So, let’s jump right in!
Fun Fact #1: The brothers who founded VK, Russia's largest social network, created Telegram. Talk about having a knack for social media!
What is Telegram?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of notifications, let’s take a moment to understand what Telegram is.
Telegram is a fast, secure, and user-friendly messaging app that allows you to send messages, photos, videos, and files to your contacts.
It’s become increasingly popular, with over 500 million active users as of 2021. Pretty impressive, right?
Fun Fact #2: According to Sensor Tower, Telegram was the most downloaded non-gaming app worldwide in January 2021. It gained a massive surge in popularity as users sought alternatives to other messaging apps.
The Notification Process on Telegram
Notifications are essential to any messaging app, as they let you know when there’s a new activity to check out.
On Telegram, notifications work similarly to other messaging platforms, alerting you when you receive a new message, get added to a group, or have someone from your contacts join the app.
One thing that sets Telegram apart is its focus on privacy and security, with features like end-to-end encryption for messages and the ability to create self-destructing messages in secret chats.
But let’s get back to the main question: do people know if you join Telegram? We’ll explore that in the next section.
Do Contacts Get Notified When You Join?
When it comes to answering the question, “Do my contacts get notified when I join Telegram?” the short answer is yes, but there’s more to it. Let’s break it down:
Explaining the contact import process
When you sign up for Telegram, the app automatically imports your phone’s contacts who are already using the platform.
This helps you connect with friends and family without having to search for them manually.
Understanding the “has joined Telegram” notifications
Once your contacts are imported, Telegram may send a notification to some of them, letting them know that you’ve joined.
These notifications are only sent to contacts who have your phone number saved in their address book, and not to your entire contact list.
Privacy Settings on Telegram
Telegram offers a range of privacy settings, allowing you to control who can see your profile, send you messages, or add you to groups.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these settings:
Profile Visibility
You can control who can see your profile picture and last seen status by adjusting the settings in the “Privacy and Security” section of the app.
Choose between “Everybody,” “My Contacts,” or “Nobody” to customize your visibility.
Message privacy
Telegram allows you to block users from sending you messages or adding you to groups.
You can manage your blocked contacts by visiting the “Privacy and Security” settings.
Group privacy
You can also control who can add you to groups and channels by adjusting the “Groups and Channels” settings in the “Privacy and Security” section.
With these privacy settings in place, you can have more control over your experience on Telegram.
But what if you want to prevent those “has joined Telegram” notifications from being sent in the first place?
How to Prevent Notifications from Being Sent
If you prefer not to alert your contacts when you join Telegram, there’s a workaround that can help you maintain your privacy:
- Before installing Telegram, go to your phone’s contacts app and either delete or temporarily move the contacts you don’t want to be notified to another location, like a separate group or folder. This way, Telegram won’t be able to access those contacts during the import process.
- Install and sign up for Telegram. The app will only import and notify the contacts still saved in your phone’s address book.
- After completing the registration process, you can restore or re-add the contacts you removed or moved earlier. Telegram won’t send notifications to these contacts since they weren’t in your address book during the initial import.
Following these steps lets you control who gets notified when you join Telegram.
The Pros and Cons of Contact Notifications
Like any other feature, contact notifications on Telegram come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s weigh the pros and cons:
Pros
- Easy connections: Notifications make it simple for you to connect with friends and family on the platform without having to search for their usernames.
- Growing your network: As your contacts get notified when you join, it helps grow your network on Telegram, making it easier to stay connected with people you know.
- Discoverability: These notifications can also help you discover contacts you didn’t know were on Telegram, leading to new conversations and rekindling old connections.
Cons
- Privacy concerns: Some users might feel that contact notifications compromise their privacy by announcing their presence on the platform.
- Unwanted attention: You might not want all your contacts to know you’ve joined Telegram, as it can lead to unsolicited messages or group invites.
Telegram vs. Other Messaging Apps
With so many messaging apps out there, it’s important to understand how Telegram stacks up against its competitors when it comes to privacy features and notification settings.
Let’s take a look at a couple of popular alternatives:
WhatsApp also notifies your contacts when you join the platform if they have your phone number saved in their address book.
However, WhatsApp has recently faced criticism for its updated privacy policy, which led many users to seek more privacy-focused alternatives like Telegram.
Signal
Signal is another messaging app that prioritizes privacy and security. It uses end-to-end encryption for all messages and doesn’t display any “has joined” notifications when new users sign up.
This makes Signal an attractive option for those who prioritize privacy above all else.
In comparison, Telegram offers a good balance between user-friendly features and privacy options, with customizable notification settings and the ability to control who gets notified when you join.
Conclusion
So, do your contacts get notified when you join Telegram? The answer is yes, but only those who have your phone number saved in their address book.
However, Telegram offers various privacy settings to help you control your experience on the platform, and you can even prevent certain contacts from receiving a notification when you join.
In this blog post, we’ve covered the ins and outs of Telegram’s notification process, explored its privacy settings, and compared it to other messaging apps.
With this information in hand, you can make an informed decision about using Telegram and how to manage your privacy on the platform.
