Public t.me links, search by name, invite links: every way to join a Telegram channel or group on your phone, computer or browser, plus how to leave or mute.
Finding an interesting Telegram channel is one thing; actually getting into it is another if you have never used the app before. There are three ways in: a public link, a search by name, or a private invite link. This guide walks you through each one on a phone, a computer and a web browser, shows you how to read a public channel without creating an account, and explains how to keep your chat list under control by muting, archiving or leaving.
Joining through a public t.me link
Every public channel or group has a unique username that starts with the @ symbol, such as @channelname. That username maps to a web address in the format t.me/channelname. Using this link is the safest way to join, because it takes you to that exact channel and not to a lookalike with a similar title.
- Click or tap the t.me link.
- If Telegram is installed, the app opens straight onto the channel or group. If not, a web page offers to open or install the app.
- Scroll through the latest posts to check that the content is what you expected.
- Tap the join button, usually shown at the bottom of the screen.
On Top Telegram, every listing shows the exact @username of the channel, so following the link from a listing keeps you away from copycats.
Finding a channel by name or by invitation
If you know what a channel is called but do not have its link, use Telegram’s built-in search. Open the search bar at the top of your chat list and type the @username or a few words from the title. Results combine your existing chats with public results, which Telegram displays in a separate section.
Watch out for lookalikes
A keyword search often returns several channels with almost identical titles. Anyone can copy a display title, but the @username is unique. Before joining, compare the @username with the one published by the official source, read the description and scroll through a few posts. A brand-new channel borrowing the name of a well-known one is a red flag.
Using an invite link
Private channels and groups have no @username. The only way in is an invite link: a t.me address followed by a random string of characters. When you open it, Telegram shows the group’s name and member count along with a join button. Some admins require approval, in which case your request stays pending until they accept it. Invite links can also expire or be revoked, which is why an old link may suddenly stop working.
On a phone, a computer or a browser
The steps are the same everywhere; only the layout changes.
- On a smartphone (iOS or Android): install the official app from your device’s app store, sign in with your phone number, then open the link or use the search icon. The join button appears at the bottom of the chat.
- On a computer: the desktop app, available for all major operating systems, syncs with your account. When you open a t.me link in your browser, it offers to switch to the app. Search works just as it does on mobile.
- In a web browser: Telegram’s official web version lets you use your account without installing anything. It is handy on a work computer or a shared machine, as long as you log out when you are done.
Once you join a channel on one device, it shows up on all the others, because your subscriptions belong to your account rather than to a specific device.
Reading a public channel without an account
Not ready to sign up, or just want a quick look before subscribing? Public channels have a web preview that opens in any browser. When you open a channel’s public link, the page usually offers to show its content right there, and the address then takes the format t.me/s/channelname.
The preview displays recent posts with their text, images and links, but it comes with a few limits:
- it is read-only, so you cannot react, comment or vote in polls;
- it only works for public channels, not for private groups or invite-only channels;
- some channels are not shown in the preview, especially when restrictions apply to them.
It is still a great way to judge how good and how active a channel is before it earns a spot in your chat list.
Leaving, muting or archiving
Join enough channels and the notifications quickly pile up. Telegram gives you three options, from the gentlest to the most final.
Mute notifications
Open the channel or group and tap its name to see its info. You will find an option to turn notifications off, either for a set period or for good. You remain a member and can read new posts whenever you like, without being disturbed.
Archive the chat
Archiving moves the chat into a separate folder, out of your main list. On mobile, a swipe on the chat usually does it; on a computer, right-click it. Keep in mind that an archived chat with notifications still on may jump back into your main list when a new message arrives. Mute it as well if you want it to stay tucked away.
Leave for good
In the channel or group info, choose the option to leave. You are no longer a member and the chat disappears from all your devices. To come back, simply join again through the public link or search. For a private group, however, you will need an invite link that still works.
Where to find channels worth joining
Telegram’s search tells you nothing about whether a channel can be trusted. To save time, browse the Top Telegram directory, where every channel and group is checked by hand and listed with its exact @username, a clear description and its language. Running a quality public channel yourself? You can submit your channel and get it listed for free.
Frequently asked questions
Can other people see that I joined a channel?
No. In a channel, only the admins can view the subscriber list, and other subscribers cannot see you. Groups are different: members can usually see your name and profile photo, depending on your privacy settings.
Why does an invite link no longer work?
Invite links can have an expiry date or a usage limit, and admins can revoke them at any time. The group may also have been deleted. Ask the person who shared the link for a fresh one.
Do I need an account to follow a channel?
To join a channel and get its posts in your chat list, yes, because subscriptions are tied to a Telegram account. To simply read a public channel, the web preview in any browser is enough, with no sign-up required.