Telegram Asks for Premium to Send a Login Code: Why

If Telegram asks you to buy Premium before it will send your login code, it is not a charge for the code itself. Telegram's developer documentation describes a case where signing in requires Premium because SMS codes are very expensive to deliver to some countries or carriers. It affects some users and not others, so you may see it while a friend in another country does not.

Updated November 2026. This is a rule Telegram controls and can change at any time, so check the app and Telegram's own help pages for the current position.

What is going on

Telegram sends most login codes without charging you. For some numbers, the cost of an SMS to that country or carrier is high. Telegram's API documentation describes a response meaning that, because of that cost, the user has to buy a Premium subscription to continue (Telegram API: sentCodePaymentRequired). News reports in late 2025 described people in some countries being asked for a temporary Premium purchase to get a code. We have not found an official Telegram help page that spells out the current rules, so treat anything beyond the above as reported, not confirmed.

Telegram has also run a peer-to-peer program in which Premium subscribers relay login codes for other people. Whether that is still running, and where, has varied. Do not rely on it, and be careful: it involves sharing phone numbers with a stranger's account.

Options that do not involve paying

Try these before buying anything:

1. Check for the code on another device. If you are signed in anywhere else, Telegram sends the code there first. Open the "Telegram" chat on that device. See where the Telegram login code goes.
2. Use an email login code, if the account has one set up. Telegram has offered email codes as a login method since 2022, but it has to be turned on in advance. It cannot be added once you are locked out.
3. Try a different number. Whether Premium is requested depends on the number's country and carrier. A number from a country or carrier where texts are cheap may not trigger it. We cannot promise this, and you should not buy a number just to test.
4. Wait and try again later. If you have made many requests, a rest can help. See how long to wait before requesting another code.

If you want a US number from us

If your own number triggers the prompt and you just need an account for a project, a one-time number on the Telegram service page might avoid it, since it is a US mobile line. We cannot guarantee that. If no code arrives, you get a full refund. See pricing.

When not to use a temporary number for Telegram

Telegram ties your account to the number. A one-time number is gone in minutes and a rental ends after one day to one year (rentals). If you cannot receive a code on the number later, you may be locked out. Turn on two-step verification and a recovery email before you rely on the account, and use your own number for anything you want to keep. See also verifying Telegram without your own number.

Frequently asked questions

Does Telegram charge for login codes?

Not for most people. In some countries and on some carriers, Telegram may ask for Premium before it sends an SMS code, because of what the text costs.

Is it a scam?

The prompt is part of Telegram's own app. Do not send money or share codes with anyone who messages you about it.

Can a friend with Premium send me a code?

Telegram has had a program for that, but its status changes and it means sharing a phone number with someone else's account. Check Telegram's current help pages first.

Will a different number fix it?

Sometimes. It depends on the number's country and carrier.

Will the prompt go away if I buy Premium?

We cannot say what Telegram will do. Buying a subscription only to get one code is rarely worth it if another route is available.