Telegram Setup Wizard

Follow these steps to set up Telegram so your OurFamilyConnected device can receive messages. Takes about 10 minutes.

1

Install Telegram

First, install the free Telegram app on your phone:

  1. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android)
  2. Search for "Telegram"
  3. Download and install it
  4. Open the app and enter your phone number
  5. Enter the verification code sent via SMS
  6. Set your name — this is what will appear on the device as the message sender
Tip: If you already have Telegram installed, skip to Step 2.
2

Create a Telegram Bot

A "bot" is needed so the device can receive messages from your family group.

  1. In Telegram, tap the search bar at the top
  2. Type @BotFather and tap on it (blue verified tick ✓)
  3. Tap Start (or type /start)
  4. Type /newbot and press send
  5. Give it a name, e.g.: Mums Messages
  6. Give it a username ending in bot, e.g.: MumsMessages_bot
  7. BotFather will reply with your bot token
IMPORTANT: Copy your bot token carefully — you'll need it in Step 3 and for the device setup.
This is the long code BotFather gave you. It will not be stored or sent anywhere.
3

Disable Group Privacy

CRITICAL: Without this step, the device will NOT receive any messages!
  1. In the BotFather chat, type /mybots
  2. Select your bot from the list
  3. Tap Bot Settings
  4. Tap Group Privacy
  5. Tap Turn off
  6. You should see: "Privacy mode is disabled"
↓

BotFather → /mybots → Your Bot → Bot Settings → Group Privacy → Turn off

4

Create the Family Group

  1. In Telegram, tap the pencil icon (top right)
  2. Tap New Group
  3. Search for your bot's username (e.g. MumsMessages_bot)
  4. Select your bot and tap Next
  5. Give the group a name, e.g. "Mum's Messages"
  6. Tap Create
Tip: You can add more family members now or later.
5

Get Your Chat ID

  1. Send any message in your new group (e.g. "hello")
  2. Wait a few seconds, then click the button below
IMPORTANT: You must send a message in the group after adding the bot.
This is a negative number, e.g. -4992655556
Can't find the Chat ID? Make sure you added the bot to the group, sent a message after adding it, and disabled Group Privacy in Step 3.
6

Add Family Members

  1. Open the group chat in Telegram
  2. Tap the group name at the top
  3. Tap Add Members
  4. Search for and select each family member

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