# Connect Telegram

> Create a Telegram bot with BotFather and connect it so customers can message your shop on Telegram.

Source: https://docs.message24.net/owners/channels/telegram/

On Telegram, customers message a bot that belongs to your business, and replies from you and the AI come from that bot. You create the bot yourself in Telegram, then paste its token into Message24. There is no sign-in with Telegram.

## Before you start

- The Telegram app on your phone or computer.
- Admin access to your business in Message24.
- Each bot can be connected to only one Message24 business.

## 1. Create a bot in BotFather

1. In Telegram, search for **BotFather**, the one with the blue verified check, and press **Start**. You can also open it from the **Open BotFather** link on the Message24 setup page.
2. Send `/newbot`.
3. BotFather asks for a display name. This is what customers see, so use your shop name.
4. BotFather asks for a username. It must end in "bot", for example `yourshop_bot`.
5. BotFather replies with a token, a long line that looks like `8123456789:AAH...`. Copy it.

:::caution
Treat the bot token like a password. Anyone with it can send messages as your bot.
:::

## 2. Connect the bot

1. In Message24, go to **Settings > Channels** and select **Add Channel**.
2. On the **Telegram** card, select **Connect**.
3. Paste the token into **Bot token** and select **Connect bot**.

When it works, Message24 shows your bot's name followed by "is connected".

If you see "That bot token was rejected by Telegram", copy the token again from BotFather and paste it without extra spaces. If you see "This Telegram bot is already connected to another business", it must be disconnected there first.

## 3. Share your bot link

A new bot has no followers, so nobody can message it until you share its link. After connecting, Message24 shows your bot's link (`https://t.me/` followed by the bot's username):

1. Select **Copy link**.
2. Put it in your Instagram bio, on your website, on receipts, or send it in your customer groups.
3. To test, select **Open your bot** and send "hi". It should appear in your Inbox within seconds.

You can copy the link again at any time: in **Settings > Channels**, open the **...** menu on the Telegram channel and select **Copy bot link**.

## What to expect

- **Only new messages.** Telegram does not give bots your past chats, so the Inbox starts empty and fills as customers write to the bot.
- **Private chats only.** Conversations are one-to-one chats with the bot. If the bot is added to a group, group messages don't become conversations.
- **A quiet bot is not an error.** Message24 does not warn you when a Telegram channel has no activity, because a new bot is quiet until you share it.

## Reconnect a bot

Reconnecting a Telegram bot means pasting its token again. Do this if:

- Message24 shows "Connected, but not receiving messages yet" after you connect. Select **Try again** and paste the token again.
- You regenerated the token in BotFather. The old token stops working.
- The health line says the connection expired.
- You disconnected the bot and want it back.

To reconnect, select **Reconnect** on the channel in **Settings > Channels** (or go to **Add a Channel** and select **Add Another Bot**), then paste the current token. Message24 recognises the bot, updates the existing channel, and shows your bot's name followed by "is reconnected". Your conversations stay where they are.

## Disconnect a bot

Open the **...** menu on the channel in **Settings > Channels** and select **Disconnect channel**. Your conversations and orders are kept. See [Disconnect a channel](/owners/channels/overview/#disconnect-a-channel).

## Related

- [Channels overview](/owners/channels/overview/)
- [AI settings](/owners/ai/ai-settings/)