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If you have been using Telegram for a considerable amount of time, you have probably become accustomed to the fact Telegram saves and stores your phone number privately by default or at least it used to. Sadly that’s no longer the case with the most recent update (Android and iOS) setting phone number visibility to everyone. So follow along as this article shows you how to hide it again.
How to Prevent Messages Forwarded in Telegram Linking Back to You. (Disable Forwarded Messages)
Over the last several years data leaks and privacy breaches have become more common than ever, with some of the worlds biggest companies suffering some massive and scary leaks. As a result messaging services like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger have started to implement end to end encryption (among other things) in an effort to keep their user bases minds at ease.
Oddly though, after putting such a big focus on privacy, Telegram has recently released the latest version of their app on both Android and iOS and made a simple change that adversely affects user privacy. After the most recent update, it has been discovered that Telegram no longer hides your linked phone number by default, and if your number was hidden manually, the option has been reset to either everyone or contacts. Meaning anyone else using Telegram or in your contacts can view your phone number.
As a result, any service that requires your phone number, including 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) may potentially be at risk of abuse. So follow along as this guide shows you how to secure your phone number in Telegram once again.
Related: How to Delete Your Telegram Messages and Conversations From Someone Else's Telegram Account.
How Do You Hide Your Phone Number on Telegram? (Android and iOS)
Thankfully the option is still available to hide your phone number among other things, so can still be used to keep your privacy. In order to do this, you’ll first need to make sure you have the latest version of Telegram installed on your device, either Android or iOS. Once you have done this go to Settings, tap Privacy and Security, then under the Privacy section find the option called Phone Number. Now simply select Nobody.
This is the most secure option of the three options available and will hide your number from any fellow Telegram users with ill intent. Although it isn’t confirmed, I personally think that Telegram will backflip on the change and set phone numbers as hidden by default once again.
On a Side Note…
While you are making some changes in Telegram make sure you also check out the following article which will show you how to set up your Telegram to automatically delete itself (your account) after a set period of inactivity. This is a great way to ensure any information is destroyed should you not be able to check into your account. I’m sure you can think of quite a few different situations where this may be exceptionally useful.
How to Make Your Telegram Account Automatically Delete itself After a Set Period of Inactivity.
There are also several other Telegram related links littered throughout this article that you’ll also find very interesting if you are a security-minded person.
