Multi-Device Access: Since your entire chat history, media, and contacts are stored in Telegram's cloud (except for Secret Chats), your phone number acts as the anchor that allows you to seamlessly access your account across all your logged-in devices (phones, tablets, desktops).
2. Controlling Your Phone Number's Visibility (Your Privacy Settings)
Telegram provides robust privacy settings to manage who can see your phone number and who can find you using it. These are crucial for protecting your privacy.
To access these settings: Settings > Privacy and telegram number database Security > Phone Number
"Who can see my phone number?"
Nobody: (Recommended for maximum privacy) Your phone number will never be displayed on your profile to any other user, even if they have your number saved in their contacts.
My Contacts: Only users who are in your Telegram contacts (meaning you have their number saved in your phone and they are on Telegram) will be able to see your phone number on your profile.
Everybody: Anyone on Telegram who views your profile will be able to see your phone number.
"Who can find me by my number?" (This option appears only if you set "Who can see my phone number?" to "Nobody").
Nobody: (Recommended for maximum privacy) No one will be able to find your Telegram profile by searching for your phone number in the app's search bar. You can only be found via your username.
My Contacts: Only people who have your phone number saved in their device's address book and are on Telegram will be able to find your profile by searching for your number.