How to find people on the Telegram app

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Telegram app iPhone

Telegram is one of the best instant messaging apps available today. It’s simple, fast, secure, offers unlimited transfer of files, and has countless amazing features—for free!

One of its best features is the search box which makes it easy to look up chats, groups, channels, and people. You can use it to search for family members, friends, or neighbors you’d want to be acquainted with.

First, you’ll use your telephone number when you sign up for Telegram. Then, the app will ask for access to your contacts and other features while you set up. Once you grant access to your contacts, you’ll see several people on your contact list who use telegram. You can start chatting with them immediately or wait for them to reach out since they’ll be notified you’ve joined Telegram.

How to search telegram users

There are different methods you can use to find people on Telegram.

1. Search by username

Since Telegram allowed users to identify themselves with usernames, finding friends is now easier. The only challenge is that you must know their username.

How to search Telegram users by username on Android

  • Open your Telegram app.
  • Tap on the search icon in the top-right corner.
  • Type the person’s username in the search bar.
  • The username can start with “@” or not.
  • You’ll see a list of matching results.
  • Tap on the one you’re looking for and text them to start a chat.
  • Ask them to share their contact information page (phone number/and or email address) for you to add them to your contacts.

READ: Why is Telegram not working on your PC

Search Telegram users by username on iOS

  • Open the Telegram app.
  • Tap on “Contacts.”
  • Tap on the search bar at the top.
  • Enter the person’s username.
  • You can put “@” before the name or not.
  • You’ll get a list of corresponding profiles.
  • Tap on the one you were looking for to open a chat page.
  • You can send them a message sharing your contacts and request for theirs to save.
  • Or, click on their profile picture at the top to open their contact information.
  • Below the username, you’ll see the “Add to contacts” option. Tap on it to save the contact.
  • Tap on “Done” at the top when you finish.
  • The person will also have to save your contact on their end.

2. Search in groups

Finding people in groups is very simple. Follow our guide below, and you’ll be okay:

How to search Telegram groups for Android

  • Open your Telegram app.
  • Tap the group/channel with the contact that you want.
  • When the group/channel opens, go to the top and tap on its name.
  • This will open a list of all the members in the group/channel.
  • Scroll down and tap the group member you’re looking for.
  • The person’s information page will display on the screen.
  • Look for the message icon and tap on it.
  • This opens a private chat with the contact.
  • Ask them to share their contact information to add them to your contacts.

Search in Telegram groups on iOS

For iOS users, you’ll follow the same procedure as Android, but when the person’s information page opens, tap on “Add to Contacts.” Enter the names or use the already input ones and tap on “Done.”

You can only view their phone number once they save your contacts too. So, you can send a message to inform them.

3. Find friends on Telegram using your phone number

If you have a friend’s phone number and want to find them on Telegram, follow this guide:

  • Launch your Telegram app.
  • If you’re using Android, tap the horizontal lines, then move down the menu and select “Contacts.”
  • Open your “Contacts” menu.
  • Tap on the “+” icon.
  • Enter the phone number and save.
  • You can only add the number if it’s registered on Telegram.
  • The messenger will send them an invite message if it’s not registered.

This is an efficient way to find someone on Telegram without a username.

4. Search for people on Telegram using a bot

Telegram now has a special bot called Telegram Friends to help you find new friends to socialize with or even date. Follow the steps below to get this bot:

  • Open this page.
  • Select “Open in Telegram.”
  • The bot will launch on your app.
  • Tap on “Start” to open a conversation.
  • Follow the bot instructions to the end to start sending messages.

READ: How to ban someone from a Telegram group

5. Search for people near you on Telegram

Telegram also gives people the chance to make friends with other Telegram users. How? By following the steps below:

How to find people nearby on Telegram for Android

  • Launch your Telegram app.
  • Tap the horizontal lines in the top-left corner to open the side menu.
  • Tap on “Contacts.”
  • Scroll down and tap on the “People Nearby” option.
  • You’ll be prompted to allow Telegram to access the device’s location.
  • Tap on “Allow.”
  • Confirm the permission.
  • Another prompt will inform you that Telegram uses Google’s location service. Tap “OK” to confirm.
  • Lastly, tap on “Make Myself Visible” so that other Telegram users can see your profile in your neighborhood.
  • Tap “OK” to confirm.

How to find people nearby on Telegram for iOS

  • Open Telegram on your iPhone.
  • Tap on “Contacts.”
  • Tap on “Find People Nearby.”
  • Allow Telegram to access your Device’s location.
  • Tap on “Make Myself Visible” and confirm. This will ensure that other Telegram users see your profile looking for people nearby.

Once you complete these steps, you’ll see a list of all the Telegram users nearby -their names and how far they are from you. Usually, people also use the “People Nearby” feature and have made their profile visible.

When you scroll down, you’ll see the active groups nearby right after the people nearby. You can tap on a group to see its members and posts. Feel free to tap the “Join” button if you’re interested.

NOTE: To stop sharing your location, tap on the “Stop Showing Me” option.

6. How to follow people on Telegram

To find people on Telegram, simply find their channel and join. There are channels for almost everything on Telegram, from books, movies, sports updates, and news organizations. Since the channel owner or admin is the only one who can post on the channel, the subscribers are essentially his/her followers.

How to find and join channels

  • Open your Telegram app.
  • For Android, tap on the search icon at the top-right corner.
  • On iOS, tap on the search bar at the top.
  • Next, type the channel’s name in the search bar.
  • Tap on the channel name to open it.
  • Tap “Join.”