Telegram MTProto

About Telegram MTProto

The Telegram API (MTProto) is the low-level protocol that lets developers build fully customized Telegram client applications, distinct from the simpler Bot API. It is open to any developer who registers an application with Telegram, and covers areas such as user authorization, two-factor authentication, QR code and passkey login, error handling, connecting to data centers, handling updates and push notifications, forums, channel statistics, file upload/download, pagination, and end-to-end-encrypted one-to-one and group calls.

Documentation also covers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, security guidelines, and perfect forward secrecy, along with client optimization guidance and a full API method list with a TL-schema reference in text and JSON form. For developers who do not want to implement the protocol from scratch, Telegram also offers TDLib, an open-source library that handles network implementation, encryption, and local data storage across platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux, and is compatible with a wide range of programming languages.

This API is intended for developers building custom Telegram clients rather than simple bots or SMS-replacement integrations, which are served by Telegram's separate Bot API and Gateway API respectively. Use of the Telegram API and TDLib is free of charge.

Key features

• Build fully customized Telegram clients via the low-level MTProto Telegram API
• End-to-end encrypted secret chats, one-to-one calls, and group calls with Perfect Forward Secrecy
• Gateway API sends authorization codes through Telegram instead of SMS
• Bot API for building bots with support for inline queries, buttons, mini apps, and payments
• Detailed channel and supergroup statistics along with message view and read metrics

Frequently asked questions