How do I start a Telegram bot?

Search for the bot's username (it always ends in "bot"), open the chat and press Start or send /start. The bot replies with its commands; typing / shows the full list. You can stop it any time with /stop or by deleting the chat and blocking the bot.

Can a Telegram bot see my phone number?

No, unless you explicitly share it with the "Share contact" button. A bot sees the messages you send it, your display name and username, and in groups only the messages addressed to it (unless an admin disables privacy mode). It cannot read your other chats.

Are Telegram bots safe?

The bot itself runs on Telegram's servers and cannot install anything on your phone. The risk is what it asks for: a bot that wants a payment, a login code or redirects you to an external site to "verify" is a scam pattern. Never enter your Telegram login code into any bot or site.

Which Telegram bots are the best?

It depends on the task, but a useful objective signal is how many different channels recommend a bot. The list on this page counts exactly that — mentions across published channels in the catalog — and is updated daily.

Telegram Bots Explained: What They Can Do, What They Can See, and Which Ones Channels Recommend

Published: November 01, 2026Lists and figures are refreshed daily · how is the data collected?

A Telegram bot is an account run by a program instead of a person. You message it, it answers; you add it to a group, it moderates or posts. Bots download files, convert formats, send reminders, run quizzes, post exam alerts and stock prices, and quietly run most of the large groups in India. This guide covers what bots can and cannot do, what they see, how to recognise a scam bot, and which bots channels in the catalog recommend most.

What a bot is, technically

Bots are created through Telegram’s own @BotFather and run on the developer’s server, talking to Telegram through an API. Their usernames always end in “bot”. A bot cannot start a conversation with you — you must message it first — and it cannot install anything on your phone: everything happens inside the chat.

How to start and stop a bot

Search the exact username (for example @BotFather) and open the chat.
Press Start or send /start. The bot replies with what it does and its commands; typing / opens the command menu.
To stop: send /stop if the bot supports it, or delete the chat and choose “Block”. A blocked bot cannot message you again.

What a bot can see

Data	Visible to a bot?
Messages you send to it	Yes
Your display name, username, user ID	Yes
Your phone number	Only if you tap “Share contact”
Your other chats	No
Messages in a group it is in	Only commands and replies to it — unless an admin disables “privacy mode” or makes it admin

The last row matters for admins: a bot promoted to administrator reads every message in the group. Give admin rights only to bots you know, and only the rights they need.

Common types of bots

Utility: file converters, downloaders, translators, QR and PDF tools, reminders.
Information: exam notifications, weather, stock and crypto prices, news digests.
Group management: welcome messages, anti-spam, keyword filters, warnings and bans, slow mode helpers.
Games and quizzes: inline games, daily quizzes for study groups, polls.
Channel tools: scheduled posting, buttons under posts, comments, statistics for channel owners.

Bots that channels recommend most

“Best bots” lists are usually sponsored. A more honest signal is how many different channels mention a bot in their posts. The list below counts exactly that across published channels in the catalog and is rebuilt daily.

The full list by category is under Bots.

How to recognise a scam bot

It asks for your login code. No legitimate bot — and no “Telegram support” — ever needs the code Telegram sends you. Entering it gives away your account.
It asks for payment up front for “VIP signals”, “guaranteed returns” or “unlock premium”. Payments through Telegram’s own payment system are one thing; a UPI ID in a message is another.
It sends you to an external site to “verify” or to “claim a prize”. The site will ask for credentials or card details.
Look-alike usernames. Copycats imitate popular bots with one changed letter. Check the exact @username.

Bots and your privacy

Bots see what you type to them, so do not send documents with personal data to random converter bots. If you want a bot to work in a group but not read everything, keep it a regular member with privacy mode on. How Telegram’s privacy settings work overall is explained in the group rules guide (for admins) and in the group-finding guide’s checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a Telegram bot?: Search for the bot's username (it always ends in "bot"), open the chat and press Start or send /start. The bot replies with its commands; typing / shows the full list. You can stop it any time with /stop or by deleting the chat and blocking the bot.
Can a Telegram bot see my phone number?: No, unless you explicitly share it with the "Share contact" button. A bot sees the messages you send it, your display name and username, and in groups only the messages addressed to it (unless an admin disables privacy mode). It cannot read your other chats.
Are Telegram bots safe?: The bot itself runs on Telegram's servers and cannot install anything on your phone. The risk is what it asks for: a bot that wants a payment, a login code or redirects you to an external site to "verify" is a scam pattern. Never enter your Telegram login code into any bot or site.
Which Telegram bots are the best?: It depends on the task, but a useful objective signal is how many different channels recommend a bot. The list on this page counts exactly that — mentions across published channels in the catalog — and is updated daily.