Create a Telegram bot, obtain its API Token, and configure group and channel admin permissions for integration with Chat App Message Service.
Use cases
Chat App Message Service reaches global users through Telegram. You create a bot, obtain its API Token as a credential, and configure admin permissions in groups and channels for broadcasting messages and managing communities.
Overview
The process involves these steps:
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Create a new bot with BotFather.
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Set the bot's display name and username.
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Obtain and save the API Token.
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Complete the bot's profile (optional).
-
Configure admin permissions for groups and channels.
BotFather is Telegram's official bot management tool. All creation and configuration is done by chatting with BotFather.
Step 1: Open BotFather and create a bot
Open BotFather in your Telegram client (mobile, desktop, or web):
-
Search: In the Telegram search bar, enter
BotFatherand select the account with the official verification badge. -
Link: Go directly to https://t.me/BotFather.
Click Start, then send /newbot. BotFather guides you through setting the bot's display name and username.
Ensure your network can access Telegram. The mobile or desktop client provides a more stable experience.
Step 2: Set the bot's display name
BotFather first asks for a display name. This name is shown to end users and can be in any language. Examples:
-
Support Assistant -
My Shop Assistant -
Order Service Bot
Step 3: Set the bot's username
Next, BotFather asks for a username. The username must meet these requirements:
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It can only contain English letters, numbers, and underscores.
-
It must end with
bot.
For example: my_demo_bot or MyShopHelperBot.
The following usernames are invalid and cannot be used:
|
Invalid username |
Reason |
|
|
Contains non-English characters. |
|
|
Does not end with |
|
|
Contains a hyphen and does not end with |
|
|
Too short or already taken. |
If the username is taken, try adding numbers or underscores: my_shop_bot or service_01_bot.
Step 4: Obtain and save the API Token
On success, BotFather returns an API Token like: 123456789:AAExampleTokenxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The API Token is the credential for calling the Telegram Bot API and connecting your bot to Chat App Message Service. Record the following:
|
Item |
Example |
|
Bot display name |
Customer Service Bot |
|
Bot username |
my_demo_bot |
|
API Token |
123456789:AAExxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
The API Token is your bot's password. Anyone with this token can control your bot. Do not share it in group chats, post screenshots of it, or commit it to a public code repository. If you suspect your token has been compromised, revoke it immediately in BotFather and update the token in the Chat App Message Service console.
Step 5: Complete the bot profile (optional)
Enhance the bot's profile in BotFather with these optional settings:
|
Command |
Function |
|
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Set the bot's description. |
|
|
Set a short introduction shown when a user opens the bot. |
|
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Upload a profile picture for the bot. |
Step 6: Configure bot permissions
To use your bot in groups or channels, enable the required permissions in BotFather.
Enable group access
Required for adding the bot to groups.
Path: /mybots > Select your bot > Bot Settings > Allow Groups > Turn groups on
Turn off group privacy
By default, a bot only receives messages that @-mention it or reply to it. Turning off Group Privacy lets the bot receive all group messages.
Path: /mybots > Select your bot > Bot Settings > Group Privacy > Turn off
Configure group admin rights
Path: /mybots > Select your bot > Bot Settings > Group Admin Rights > Select the required permissions
Configure Group Admin Rights based on your needs:
Recommendations are based on official Telegram documentation and may differ from current features. Select permissions based on your actual requirements.
|
Permission |
Description |
Recommendation |
|
Change group name, photo, etc. |
Change the group's name, photo, and description. |
Recommended |
|
Delete messages |
Delete any message sent by a group member. |
Required |
|
Restrict, ban or unban members |
Ban, unban, or restrict members. |
Required |
|
Invite new users |
Generate invitation links or add users directly to the group. |
Recommended |
|
Pin messages |
Pin messages to the top of the group chat. |
Optional |
|
Add new administrators |
Appoint other members as administrators. |
Optional |
|
Manage voice chats |
Start, stop, or manage voice or video chats in the group. |
Optional |
|
Promote anonymous admins |
Allow administrators to post anonymously on behalf of the group. |
Optional |
|
Manage Topics |
Manage topics in a supergroup where topics are enabled. |
Optional |
|
Post stories |
Post stories to Telegram Stories on behalf of the group. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Edit stories |
Edit stories posted by the group. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Delete stories |
Delete stories posted by the group. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Manage chat |
Change advanced group settings, such as slow mode and default member permissions. |
Required |
Configure channel admin rights
Path: /mybots > Select your bot > Bot Settings > Channel Admin Rights > Select the required permissions
Configure Channel Admin Rights based on your needs:
Recommendations are based on official Telegram documentation and may differ from current features. Select permissions based on your actual requirements.
|
Permission |
Description |
Recommendation |
|
Change the chat name, photo, etc. |
Change the channel's name, photo, and description. |
Recommended |
|
Post in the channel |
Send messages directly as the channel. |
Required |
|
Edit messages of other users, pin messages |
Edit messages posted by other administrators or pin messages. |
Recommended |
|
Delete messages |
Delete any message that has been posted in the channel. |
Recommended |
|
Delete participants |
Remove or mute subscribers in the channel. |
Recommended |
|
Add new administrators |
Appoint other members as channel administrators. |
Optional |
|
Invite via link |
Create, manage, and revoke the channel's invitation links. |
Recommended |
|
Manage video chat / live stream |
Start, stop, or manage voice or video live streams in the channel. |
Not Recommended |
|
Manage direct messages |
Receive and reply to direct messages sent to the channel. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Post stories |
Post stories to Telegram Stories on behalf of the channel. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Edit stories |
Edit stories posted by the channel. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Delete stories |
Delete stories posted by the channel. Requires Telegram Premium. |
Not Recommended |
|
Manage channel |
Change advanced channel settings and view the channel's audit log. |
Required |
Verify the bot
After configuration, verify that the bot works:
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Search for your bot's username (for example,
my_demo_bot) and confirm it appears in results. -
Open the bot's profile and click Start to confirm it responds.
-
Go to
https://t.me/<your_bot_username>and confirm the link opens correctly. -
Add the bot to a test group or channel to confirm its permissions work.
Next steps
Create a Telegram channel in the Chat App Message Service console and bind the bot's API Token to start sending messages.
FAQ
Cannot find BotFather
Confirm the following:
-
You are searching for the exact, case-sensitive term
BotFather. -
You are selecting the account with the official verification badge.
-
Your network connection allows access to Telegram.
You can also go directly to https://t.me/BotFather.
Username is unavailable
The username is already taken. Try these adjustments:
-
Use different keywords in the name.
-
Add a numeric suffix.
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Use underscores as separators.
The adjusted username must still end with bot. For example: my_shop_bot, myshophelper1_bot, or service_01_bot.
Lost API token
Send /mybots to BotFather and select your bot to view or regenerate the API Token.