Telegram is a popular messaging app used by more than 1 billion people in the world, every month. If you’re one of the few that have never used Telegram, don't worry. This simple guide will help you get started.

We will explain what Telegram is, how to use it safely, and how you can even earn money on Telegram using a tool called InviteMember.

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a free chat app that lets you send messages, photos, and videos, and more, to friends, followers, and groups. It works on both phones and computers because it’s cloud-based. That means it doesn’t take up too much space on your devices (compared to WhatsApp).

You sign up with your phone number, just like with other chat apps. Once you join, you can chat one-on-one or in group chats. You can also join channels to get news and updates on topics you like. All your messages sync across your devices. It also supports voice and video calls.

With Telegram you can do a lot:

  • Chat and share media: Send text messages, photos, videos, and files (up to 2 GB each), and even fun stickers or GIFs.
  • Groups and channels: Join group chats (which can have thousands of members) or follow channels to get updates.
  • Bots for extra features: Use bots (automated helpers) to play games, get news, set reminders, and more inside your chats.

Telegram keeps adding new features. For example, it introduced Topics and Folders to organize conversations in big groups, and Stars and collectible usernames that you can buy or trade.

Getting Started with Telegram

Using Telegram is easy, even for a total beginner. Here are the basic steps:

  1. Download Telegram: Install the Telegram app on your smartphone (from the App Store or Google Play) or on your computer (from the Telegram website).
  2. Sign up: Open the app and enter your phone number. Telegram will send you a code via SMS. Enter that code to verify your account.
  3. Set up profile: Add your name and a profile picture. You can also set a Telegram username, so others can find you without your phone number.
  4. Add contacts: Telegram will show which of your phone contacts are on the app. You can invite other friends to join, or search for people by username.
  5. Start chatting: Tap a contact to open a chat, type your message, and hit send. You can also send photos or files by tapping the paperclip icon. To join a group or channel, tap an invite link, search for its name, or scan a QR code, and tap Join.

How Much is Telegram Premium?

Telegram is free to use and already offers many features at no cost. There is also an optional Telegram Premium subscription with extra perks. Telegram Premium costs around $5 per month. With Premium, you get benefits like:

  • Bigger uploads & faster downloads: Send files up to 4 GB (instead of 2 GB) and enjoy faster download speeds.
  • Exclusive extras: Unlock special stickers and reactions, and convert voice messages to text.
  • No ads & higher limits: You won’t see ads, and you can join more channels or groups than free users.

You don't need Premium to enjoy Telegram, but it's a nice option if you become a heavy user and want the added features.

Is Telegram Safe and Legit?

Many new users wonder if Telegram is safe to use and if the app is legit. The answer is yes – Telegram is a legitimate app and is generally considered safe.

Since its launch in 2013, no one has been able to claim the $300,000 reward offered for successfully cracking their encryption.

Telegram’s safety features include:

  • Encrypted chats: Messages are encrypted (scrambled) so strangers cannot read them. For even more privacy, you can use Secret Chats, which have end-to-end encryption.
  • Privacy controls: You can hide your phone number from people you don't know and control who can add you to groups or see your profile photo. This helps avoid spam or unwanted contacts.
  • Account security: Turn on two-step verification to add an extra password to your Telegram account. Even if someone gets your SMS login code, they can't access your account without your password. This keeps your account safe from hackers.

Telegram has a good track record on security and no major data breaches. Just remember: never give your verification code or password to anyone. If you follow these rules, Telegram is a safe and legit app to use.

How to Make Money on Telegram with InviteMember

Telegram isn’t just for chatting – you can also earn money by sharing content. One popular way is to create a private channel or group and charge a subscription fee for access.

InviteMember is a tool that makes this easy to set up, even if you're a beginner.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Create a private Telegram channel or group for your paid content.
  2. Set up a subscription plan (e.g. $5/month) and connect a payment method.
  3. Share the membership site or bot links with your audience. When someone subscribes and pays, the bot automatically adds them to your channel.
  4. The bot keeps track of subscribers. If someone's payment runs out, it removes them from the channel.
  5. You also have features like customer support, broadcasts, and an affiliate program to scale your business.

This setup lets you focus on creating content while InviteMember handles the rest. Many creators already use InviteMember to earn income from Telegram.

Conclusion

Telegram is a feature-packed app, but it’s also simple enough for anyone to use. Now you know the basics of how to use Telegram, how to stay safe, and even how to earn money with it.

We hope this guide helps you feel confident using Telegram. Have fun chatting with friends, exploring new channels, and maybe even running your own Telegram-based business with InviteMember. Enjoy your Telegram journey!