Unlike other messaging platforms, Telegram requires a mobile number to sign up. I’m not talking about temporary or disposable numbers—Telegram officially requires a reliable mobile number to register on its platform. However, you might want to register on Telegram without using your personal number.
There are various reasons why you should do this. Some potential cases could be hiding your identity from the government or from people you may know. Individuals can register and use Telegram without needing to use their personal mobile numbers. Currently, it’s not possible to bypass the mobile number verification process, but the platform itself offers an anonymous number through blockchain technology.
More than 36 million Indians use Telegram every single day, making it the undisputed platform for General Election results. Telegram now allows users to sign up without a SIM card, enabling anonymous registration.
Telegram allows you to sign up without a SIM Card. Be Anonymous.
Telegram has updated its platform to allow anyone to use anonymous numbers. It’s quite easy—users who want to register without a mobile number need to download the Tonkeeper wallet. From there, they can buy TON (Telegram Open Network) and purchase a number of their choice for $10. This number can only be used to register on Telegram; it can’t be used for receiving calls or SMS for other services.
Some mobile numbers may also have more premium prices. Not using your personal number increases privacy and reduces the chance of personal data leaks. If this doesn’t work in your country, you can use a VPN and proceed with the same instructions.
Since the Fragment platform is natively supported by Telegram and powered by blockchain, it helps individuals sign up with anonymous numbers without the risk of being banned or suspended. This service isn’t available for free—users need to pay for it, which seems fair. Other disposable numbers are not reliable, not convenient, and frankly, less secure. So, the price for TON is just a small price to pay for those who care about privacy.
How to Use a Fragment Number on Telegram
First, you’ll need to set up your TON wallet, which allows you to purchase, sell, and transact using the decentralized TON Coin. Once your wallet is ready, you can connect it to Fragment to purchase a Fragment Number. These are anonymous phone numbers powered by blockchain and officially supported by Telegram. They allow you to register on Telegram without using a SIM card or eSIM linked to your personal identification.
Fragment Numbers eliminate the need for a physical SIM or eSIM directly tied to your identity. However, they are not free—each Fragment Number starts at $10, or you can choose to pay with Telegram’s cryptocurrency, TON (The Open Network Token).
- To get started, download TonKeeper from the Google Play Store or App Store, depending on your device.
- Create a TON Wallet in the app, and once set up, you can connect it to Fragment.
- To do this, open the browser from the bottom navigation bar, scroll down to find the NFT section, and select Fragment.
- Tap on “Connect TON,” scan the QR code with your phone, and you’ll be ready to start purchasing an anonymous mobile number.
Search for a suitable anonymous mobile number and place your bid. Once the auction is complete, you’ll receive your Fragment Number.
Registering on Telegram with a Fragment Number
After receiving your Fragment Number, you can use it to register on Telegram.
- Download Telegram from the Google Play Store or App Store, depending on your device.
- During registration, tap on the country field and scroll down to select the “Anonymous Number” option.
- Enter your Fragment Mobile Number and verify your Telegram account using the OTP sent to your Fragment Number.
After entering the OTP, you can set up your account and start using Telegram without a mobile SIM. To enhance your privacy further, ensure you enable settings like hiding your mobile number and preventing people from searching for you by your mobile number. This adds an extra layer of privacy on top of using an anonymous mobile number.
Alternatively, other methods like Google Voice or temporary second phone number websites are also available.
Conclusion
If privacy is a top priority for you, opting for a Fragment Number is one of the best solutions available. This feature is particularly useful for journalists, activists, and others who need to keep their identities hidden from governments or other entities. Telegram itself provides robust privacy controls, allowing you to hide your mobile number from strangers and control whether others can find you using your number.
When it comes to sharing contact details, you can generate a temporary QR code to share your profile with others. This way, they can add you to their Telegram contacts without knowing your mobile number. If you ever decide to switch from a Fragment Number to a real number, you can do so easily by going to Telegram settings. Simply navigate to the settings in the bottom right corner, click on the edit button, choose “Change Phone Number,” and swap your Fragment Number with your real number. You’ll need to verify this change through an OTP.
Telegram has a reputation for introducing features ahead of other platforms like WhatsApp, such as support for multiple accounts and channels. The ability to register anonymously is a significant addition that enhances privacy, making it especially valuable for journalists, activists, politicians, and others who aim to bring about positive change while avoiding government scrutiny.