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Setting up Telegram

Last updated on Jun 05, 2026

Setting up Telegram

Telegram is one of the simpler channels to connect. There are no platform approvals, no business verification steps, and no messaging window restrictions. You create a bot, get a token, and paste it into Konversio.

Step 1: Create a Telegram bot

  1. Open Telegram and search for @BotFather — the official bot for creating and managing bots
  2. Start a chat and send the command /newbot
  3. BotFather will ask you for:
    • A display name for your bot (e.g. "Acme Support")
    • A username for the bot — must end in bot (e.g. acme_support_bot)
  4. BotFather confirms creation and gives you an API token — a string like 7123456789:AAF...

Keep this token private. Anyone with the token can control your bot.

Optionally, while you are in BotFather, you can:

  • Set a description (/setdescription) — shown to users before they start the bot
  • Set a profile photo (/setuserpic)
  • Disable the "what can this bot do?" prompt (/setcommands) if you don't use bot commands

Step 2: Create a Telegram inbox in Konversio

  1. Go to Settings → Inboxes → Add Inbox
  2. Select Telegram as the channel type
  3. Fill in:
    • Channel name — an internal label for your team
    • Bot token — paste the token you received from BotFather
  4. Click Create Inbox and assign agents

Konversio sets up a webhook with Telegram automatically using the token you provided. There is no manual webhook registration step.

Step 3: Test the connection

  1. Open Telegram and search for your bot by its username
  2. Tap Start and send a message
  3. Within a few seconds, the message should appear as a new conversation in your Konversio inbox

Reply from the conversation view in Konversio. Your reply will arrive in the user's Telegram chat.

Notes and limitations

No proactive outreach: Telegram bots cannot message users who have not started a conversation with the bot first. Your team can only reply; they cannot initiate.

One bot per inbox: Each Telegram inbox uses exactly one bot token. If you want to run separate bots (e.g. for different brands), create separate inboxes with separate bot tokens.

Group chats: Konversio's Telegram integration is designed for direct (private) messages between users and the bot. Adding the bot to a group chat is possible but behaviour in that context is not a primary supported use case.

No phone number required: Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram requires no phone number on your side. The bot exists independently of any phone number.