Connecting Telegram
Chato connects Telegram two ways — they cover different needs, so choose deliberately.
| Bot | Personal account | |
|---|---|---|
| What you need | A bot token from @BotFather | A phone number |
| Message first | No | Yes, with limits |
| Ban risk | None | Yes, if used carelessly |
| Best for | Taking inquiries, support via a "Message on Telegram" button | Sales, where you need to message the customer first |
Connecting a bot
- Open Channels → Add channel → Telegram → Bot.
- If you don't have a bot yet, create one in Telegram with @BotFather using the
/newbotcommand and copy the token. - Paste the token into the connection field and click Connect.
The bot runs on the official Bot API — Telegram never restricts it for activity, but like any bot, it can't message first a person who hasn't started a conversation with it (that's a Telegram rule, not Chato's).
Connecting a personal account
- Open Channels → Add channel → Telegram → Personal account.
- Enter the phone number and confirm sign-in with the code from Telegram (the same way Telegram Desktop connects a new device).
- If two-factor authentication is enabled on the account, Chato will ask for that password too.
A personal account lets you message first, but Telegram actively fights spam broadcasts over this protocol. Make sure to read How not to lose your personal Telegram account before you start messaging new contacts — it covers the real limits and how Chato protects the number automatically.
Which one to choose
If replying to incoming inquiries is enough (a "Message on Telegram" button on your site, in ads), connect a bot — it's safer and carries no ban risk. If your process requires messaging the customer first (for example, after a lead comes in from your CRM), you need a personal account, with the limitations in mind.