How to Set a Password on Telegram Mobile & Desktop

This guide walks you through adding a passcode to the Telegram app on your phone or computer, so a thief or snoop can’t open your chats even if they have your unlocked device. You’ll need your Telegram app installed and logged in, and for mobile you’ll also need the app’s passcode feature turned on (it’s built in, no extra software required).

What You’ll Need

Telegram app installed on your mobile device (Android or iOS) or desktop computer (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
Your phone number and the verification code that Telegram sends to log in, if you aren’t already logged in
For mobile: your device’s screen lock (PIN, pattern, or biometric) must be active, because Telegram’s passcode works on top of it

Step-by-Step

On Mobile (Android or iPhone)

Open the Telegram app on your phone.
Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the main chat list. On iPhone, it’s the Settings gear icon at the bottom-right.
Select Settings from the menu.
Scroll down and tap Privacy and Security.
Under the Security section, tap Passcode & Face ID (on Android it may say Passcode & Fingerprint).
Tap Turn Passcode On.
Enter a 4-digit passcode of your choice. You’ll be asked to enter it a second time to confirm.
Optionally, toggle on Unlock with Face ID or Unlock with Fingerprint to use biometrics instead of typing the code each time.
Tap Done (or the checkmark) to save. Your passcode is now active.

On Desktop (Windows, macOS, or Linux)

Open the Telegram Desktop app on your computer. (This works with the official Telegram Desktop app, not the web version.)
Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner of the window.
Select Settings from the dropdown.
In the Settings window, click Privacy and Security in the left sidebar.
Scroll down to the Security section and click Passcode Lock.
Click the toggle to enable it. A pop-up will ask you to enter a passcode.
Type a passcode (at least 4 characters) and click OK.
You’ll be asked to enter the passcode again to confirm. Do so and click OK.
Optionally, check the box Automatically lock after and choose a time (e.g., 5 minutes) to lock Telegram when you step away.
Click Save (or just close the window – it saves automatically). Your desktop passcode is now active.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the passcode: If you forget it, you’ll have to log out and back in, which will clear the local passcode but also remove any unsent drafts or cached media.
Using the same passcode as your phone lock: This defeats the purpose – if someone sees you unlock your phone, they’ll know your Telegram code too.
Not enabling auto-lock on desktop: Without it, your chats stay open indefinitely after you enter the code once.
Setting a passcode on the web version: Telegram Web (web.telegram.org) does not have a built-in passcode option; you need the desktop app or a browser extension.
Confusing passcode with two-step verification: The passcode only locks the app on that device. Two-step verification protects your account when logging in on a new device. You can set both.

Tips

Use a passcode that’s different from your phone’s lock code, and avoid obvious patterns like 1234 or 0000.
On mobile, turn on biometric unlock (Face ID or fingerprint) for convenience – the passcode still works as a fallback.
On desktop, set the auto-lock timer to 1–5 minutes so the app locks quickly when you walk away.
If you want to hide chats from the preview list, also enable Chat Folders or use Secret Chats for sensitive conversations – the passcode only locks the app, it doesn’t hide message content in notifications.
To change the passcode later, go back to the same settings screen and tap Change Passcode.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the Passcode option: Make sure you’re using the official Telegram app, not a third-party client. Also check that your app is updated to the latest version – older versions may have the option under a different name (e.g., “Passcode Lock” instead of “Passcode & Face ID”).
Passcode doesn’t lock immediately: On mobile, the passcode locks after you leave the app and return. If you want it to lock instantly, set the auto-lock timer to “Immediately” (available in the same settings). On desktop, set the auto-lock time to 1 minute or less.
Forgot the passcode: There’s no recovery. You’ll need to log out of Telegram and log back in with your phone number and the SMS code. This will remove the passcode but also clear local data like cached photos and drafts. Your chats will still be on Telegram’s servers.
Biometric unlock not working: Make sure your device’s fingerprint or face unlock is set up in your system settings. Also, check that you didn’t disable biometrics in Telegram’s passcode settings.
Passcode doesn’t appear on desktop after update: Try restarting the app. If it still doesn’t show, uninstall and reinstall the app (your chats are stored online, so you won’t lose them).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the passcode protect my account if my phone is stolen?

It protects the app on that device – the thief can’t open your chats without the code. However, they could still try to log in to your account on a new device using your phone number and the SMS code (if they have your SIM). To prevent that, enable Two-Step Verification in Settings > Privacy and Security > Two-Step Verification.

Can I use a password instead of a 4-digit PIN?

On mobile, Telegram only allows a 4-digit passcode. On desktop, you can use a longer passcode (letters and numbers) – the field accepts any characters.

Will the passcode sync across devices?

No. The passcode is local to each device. You need to set it separately on your phone and your computer.

Does the passcode hide my chats from the chat list?

No. The passcode only locks the app. When you open Telegram, you’ll see your chat list after entering the code. To hide specific chats, use Archive or Secret Chats (which have end-to-end encryption).

Can I remove the passcode later?

Yes. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Passcode & Face ID (or Passcode Lock on desktop) and tap Turn Passcode Off. You’ll need to enter your current passcode to confirm.

What happens if I forget my passcode and don’t have access to my phone number?

If you can’t receive the SMS code, you won’t be able to log back in. That’s why it’s important to keep your phone number active and also set up a recovery email for two-step verification.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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