Like social media platforms, Telegram also allows users to create a public username, one of its many features. Open groups and Channels are yet another feature that helps Telegram users from around the world to come together and discuss several aspects related to a topic. Due to the public nature of groups and conversations on the platform, it has become a mini search engine. To find a Telegram profile, all users have to do is search for it on the app.

Telegram groups and channels have some differences. For instance, the maximum number of users that can be a part of a group on the application is 200,000. On the other hand, unlimited users can be part of a Channel. Further, Channels do not allow members to participate, unlike groups. More often than not, media files from public Telegram Channels end up floating on the internet. It is both the boon and the curse for the application and applies to users with public usernames.

Related: How To Create A Telegram Channel Or Join An Existing One

Users can set public usernames on Telegram. Upon creating a username, the user will appear in global search results. While this might be good for users who want to be recognized on the platform, some users might be uncomfortable with this, and hence, they should not create a public username. Telegram does not ask users to set up a username while creating an account — it is an optional feature. Like other social media platforms, the username has to be a unique combination of alphabets, numbers and underscores that is at least five characters long.

Set Your Telegram Username

Telegram App via Pixabay

To create a Telegram username, head over to the hamburger menu located at the top right corner of the app’s home screen and tap on ‘Settings.’ In the menu, the section titled ‘Account’ will contain an option that reads ‘Username.’ Tap on it create a unique username. On the following screen, Telegram mentions that “people will be able to find you by this username and contact you without needing your phone number.” As users start creating their username and add characters to it, the application also tells whether the combination is available or not. Once users have created the desired username, they should tap on the tick icon at the top right corner.

The instant messaging platform allows users to change their username after setting it. Users have to open their profile, tap on the current username, create a new one, and check its availability. It is that simple. Once someone sets up a Telegram username, they can share their profile in the form of a link in the following format — https://t.me/username. Telegram also says that it might help users who need a particular username that is already taken, but they should have the same username on services like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.