How to create a Telegram channel: step by step on phone and desktop
Creating a Telegram channel takes two minutes and costs nothing: tap the new-message button in the chat list, choose “New Channel”, then set a name, a type and a link. Below are the steps for each device and the settings worth doing right after creation.
How to create a Telegram channel on a phone
Android
- Open Telegram and tap the circular pencil icon in the chat list.
- Choose “New Channel”.
- Enter a name; optionally add a photo and a description.
- Pick the type: public (the channel gets a link like t.me/name and can be found in search) or private (people join only through an invite link).
- For a public channel, choose the link: Latin letters, digits and underscores, at least 5 characters.
- Add your first subscribers from contacts, or skip this step.
iPhone
- In Chats, tap the new-message icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose “New Channel”.
- Then the same steps: name, photo and description, channel type, link, first subscribers.
How to create a Telegram channel on desktop
- In Telegram Desktop open the menu: the three lines in the top-left corner.
- Click “New Channel”.
- Enter a name and a description, upload a photo.
- Pick public or private and set the link.
- Add subscribers from your contacts or click “Skip”.
Are Telegram channels free?
Yes. Creating a channel, posting and having subscribers are free, and a channel can have an unlimited number of subscribers. Money is only needed for promotion: ads in other channels, Telegram Ads, or a starting push with paid members.
What is the difference between a Telegram group and a channel?
| Channel | Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Who posts | The owner and admins | Any member |
| Purpose | Broadcasting to a large audience | Conversation and discussion |
| Size | Unlimited subscribers | Up to 200,000 members |
| View counter | On every post | None |
| Comments | Through a linked discussion group | The chat itself is the discussion |
If you need both broadcasting and discussion, create a channel and link a group to it: every post gets a comment button.
How to enable comments in a Telegram channel
How to create a private Telegram channel
Pick the “Private” type during creation. A private channel has no public username, does not appear in search, and people join only through an invite link like t.me/+…. You can create several links: limited by time or number of joins, or requiring admin approval. The type can be changed any time in the settings: Edit → Channel Type.
Invite link vs public link: the difference
How to create a Telegram channel and earn money
A channel earns in three ways: selling ad posts directly, Telegram's own ad revenue sharing for eligible channels, and paid access. Paid access is built in: in a private channel you can create an invite link with a monthly fee in Telegram Stars, and the subscriber pays when joining. All three depend on reach, so the first job is an audience that actually reads the posts.
How to add a bot to a Telegram channel
A bot can be added to a channel only as an administrator: open the channel → Edit → Administrators → Add Admin, find the bot by its username and leave it only the rights it needs, for example posting messages.
Why can't I create a Telegram channel?
- The link is taken or invalid: a username must be at least 5 characters long and use only Latin letters, digits and underscores.
- The account owns too many public links. Telegram limits the number of public channels and groups per account: make an old channel private, or create the new one as private.
- An outdated app: update Telegram and try again.
- Account limits: Telegram may temporarily restrict actions for new accounts and accounts that received reports.
What to set up right after creation
- A one- or two-line description: what the channel is about and why to subscribe.
- An avatar that reads well in a small circle.
- The first 5–10 posts, so a new subscriber has something to read.
- A pinned navigation post.
- Reactions and comments, if you want feedback.
The owner can invite the first 200 subscribers from contacts; after that the channel grows through links, ads and search. An empty counter makes the first real readers hesitate, which is why many owners cover it with a starting order: members with refill and views on the first posts.
How to grow a Telegram channel: 12 ways
Telegram members from $0.39 per 1,000
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Read more
- How to grow a Telegram channel: 12 ways that actually work
- Telegram SMM panel: what it is, how it works and how to choose one
- Telegram post views explained: how views are counted and when to buy them
- Why Telegram members drop and what a refill is
- Boosts, channel levels and Premium members: how they relate
- Telegram invite link vs public link: the difference and which to use in an order
- How to get Telegram members: free ways, paid members, prices and risks
- Telegram reactions: how to enable them, which emoji exist and how to buy reactions
- Buy Telegram members with no drop: what “non-drop” really means
- Telegram Premium members: what you actually get, and how it differs from gifting Premium
- How to increase Telegram channel views: free methods, view bots and paid views
- How to enable comments in a Telegram channel