# Telegram Quick Start

<figure><img src="/files/QG7GQhQvRC81RRNR3pD3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
To connect Telegram, a Telegram Bot is required. Read our [guide](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/telegram/telegram-quick-start.md) to start.
{% endhint %}

### Connecting a Telegram Bot <a href="#connecting_a_telegram_bot" id="connecting_a_telegram_bot"></a>

**Connecting an existing bot**

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on How to Connect Your Existing Telegram Account to IS-Messenger.

**Step 1:** Go to **Settings > Channels**

**Step 2:** Click **Add Channel > Telegram > Connect An Existing Bot**

<figure><img src="https://files.helpdocs.io/9e3syfbzn8/articles/ipp4noyzaz/1696390140287/kapture-2023-09-25-at-16-46-16.gif" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Step 3: Message the [BotFather](https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@BotFather)

<figure><img src="https://files.helpdocs.io/9e3syfbzn8/articles/ipp4noyzaz/1696390171626/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 4:** Send the command `/mybots`

**Step 5:** Select the bot to connect

**Step 6:** Select **API Token** from the menu options and copy it

**Step 7:** Add the API token to the corresponding field on the IS-Messenger platform

**Step 8:** Click **Connect** to complete the setup

**Connecting a new bot**

Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on How to Connect Telegram to IS-Messenger.

**Step 1:** Go to **Settings > Channels**

**Step 2:** Click **Add Channel > Telegram > Create A New Bot**

<figure><img src="https://files.helpdocs.io/9e3syfbzn8/articles/ipp4noyzaz/1696390238262/kapture-2023-09-25-at-16-49-30.gif" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3:** Message the [BotFather](https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@BotFather)

**Step 4:** Send the command `/newbot` and follow the instructions

**Step 5**: Add the token in the corresponding field on the IS-Messenger platform

**Step 6**: Click **Connect** to complete the setup

{% hint style="success" %}
Once you have completed the setup, any messages sent to your Telegram Bot account will now be received in your Workspace.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Once the Channel is connected, [scan the QR code](/ismessenger/messaging-channels/telegram/telegram-quick-start.md) to send a test message and make sure everything is working properly.
{% endhint %}

### Channel Configuration <a href="#channel_configuration" id="channel_configuration"></a>

The Telegram Channel can be configured with a unique Channel name. This name will be used internally to identify the account.

**Step 1:** Click **Settings** > **Channels**

**Step 2:** Locate the Telegram Channel, click **Manage**

**Step 3: Make the necessary configuration**

<figure><img src="https://files.helpdocs.io/9e3syfbzn8/articles/ipp4noyzaz/1696390362137/kapture-2023-09-25-at-16-55-11.gif" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3:** In the **Telegram Configuration page** you will see the following configurations:

* **Chat Link** - A click-to-chat link is a shortened URL that directs customers to start or continue a conversation with your Telegram account. You can share this link to refer customers to a new or existing thread, based on whether the user has previously messaged your Telegram account. You can also generate a QR code to share the chat link to your Contacts.
* **Channel Name** - The Channel Name can be changed and is used internally to identify the Channel.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important**: Ensure the details are correct for messages to be received successfully in your Telegram account.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://files.helpdocs.io/9e3syfbzn8/articles/ipp4noyzaz/1696390411137/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 4**: Click **Save Changes** to update the Telegram Configuration page

### FAQ and Troubleshooting <a href="#faq_and_troubleshooting" id="faq_and_troubleshooting"></a>

**Can I connect to a personal Telegram account?**

To connect a Telegram Channel, a Telegram Bot is required. You can learn how to create a Telegram Bot [here](https://respond.io/blog/telegram-for-business#toc-mobile-9).

**Why do I get the&#x20;*****Forbidden: bot was blocked by the user*****&#x20;error message?**

If you see this error message next to a message on the platform, it means the Contact has blocked your Telegram bot. Blocking stops a Contact from receiving messages from a business. This often happens due to spam, where Contacts feel the business sends irrelevant content. Once blocked, your business can't send any messages, like broadcasts or 1-to-1 messages, unless the Contact contacts the business again.

**I’m having trouble with my Bot Token**

If your Telegram Bot token has been lost or if your existing token has been compromised, you may use the token command to generate a new one.

* Send `/token` to the [BotFather](https://web.telegram.org/#/im?p=@BotFather).

**Why can’t I receive an inbound video message?**

If you are unable to receive a video, the file size may be too large.

* Check the size details of the video file

Telegram Bot can only receive video files up to 20MB in size. Learn more about file types supported by Telegram [here](https://help.respond.io/l/en/telegram/telegram-overview#supported_file_types).

**Why can’t I receive inbound messages even though my Telegram Channel is connected?**

A test contact may be sending test messages to a personal number instead of the Telegram Bot. Make sure the messages are sent correctly to the Bot.

Another potential reason is that the tokens may be mismatched. Make sure that the token on the IS-Messenger platform matches the token provided by the BotFather.

**Why can’t I send outbound messages?**

This is usually caused by a Telegram API error. Wait a few minutes before trying to send the message again.


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