Do I need a smart phone for a Telegram account?

[sigstroker]

It keeps asking me for a phone number. Why would they need a phone number? I already get a zillion robo-calls a day, I don't need two zillion.

[Wxy012]

You do need a phone number to create a Telegram account, but it doesn't have to be a smartphone. You can use any phone that can receive SMS or calls for verification. Telegram uses phone numbers for account security and to sync contacts, but you can control your privacy settings to limit who sees your number.

[ibanezfoo]

lots of free phone number services online

[arrix]

Get a Google voice temp number for this.

[sigstroker]

Would I then have to give google some info?

[arrix]

Would I then have to give google some info?

You would need to give another phone for sms verification.

[sigstroker]

You mean I have to give google my real phone number? That defeats the purpose of trying to stay private. I'd rather give Telegram my real phone than give it to google.

[arrix]

You mean I have to give google my real phone number? That defeats the purpose of trying to stay private. I'd rather give Telegram my real phone than give it to google.

I tried signing up for Telegram and it wants access to your messages to verify the phone number. I don't see how to get around that unless you use a burner phone.

[sigstroker]

How is it going to get access to my messages? As I said, no smart phone.

[arrix]

I think Telegram requires a smartphone.

[ibanezfoo]

I tried signing up for Telegram and it wants access to your messages to verify the phone number. I don't see how to get around that unless you use a burner phone.

There are free and paid online services for this. They are specifically for this purpose. You can get texts for those verifications. Some are public so you see everyone elses verifications too. Its just to get a code so dont use it for any personal stuff obviously.

[arrix]

There are free and paid online services for this. They are specifically for this purpose. You can get texts for those verifications. Some are public so you see everyone elses verifications too. Its just to get a code so dont use it for any personal stuff obviously.

Yes thought of that, but Telegram wants access to your messages so it can verify the sms code itself. You can't just give it a fake sms number and then type in the verification code.

[ibanezfoo]

Yes thought of that, but Telegram wants access to your messages so it can verify the sms code itself. You can't just give it a fake sms number and then type in the verification code.

I've never seen that. I just use the web app though.

[sigstroker]

There are free and paid online services for this. They are specifically for this purpose. You can get texts for those verifications. Some are public so you see everyone elses verifications too. Its just to get a code so dont use it for any personal stuff obviously.

What does "for this" mean? For Telegram, or for verifications?

[ibanezfoo]

What does "for this" mean? For Telegram, or for verifications?

text verifications for whatever services that require them. Gives you a bs number that can receive texts