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Telegram Group Joiner

Automate joining multiple Telegram groups and channels, ideal for researchers monitoring specific topics.

URL

https://bellingcat.github.io/telegram-group-joiner/ (latest commit on 2023‑12‑18, last checked Oct. 31, 2025)

Description

A small, browser‑based helper that adds a Telegram user account to multiple groups or channels in one go. It works with both public t.me links and private invites, and you can preload a session by passing several links in a single ?links= query string (semicolon‑separated). The app runs fully client‑side using TDLib, and the project is auto‑deployed as a static site on GitHub Pages. GitHub

  • Supported features: – Batch‑join multiple groups/channels from pasted URLs. GitHub – Accepts private invite links. GitHub – Preload links via ?links= (semicolon‑separated). GitHub

  • Optional: Self‑hosting (Node/Yarn) if you prefer to run locally. GitHub

The tool allows preloading of group URLs by appending them to a base URL, separated by semicolons. This automation is executed fully client-side using tdlib for a robust Telegram API experience. It is worth mentioning that the tool only operates client-side, ensuring no data retention on servers.

Github Project: https://github.com/bellingcat/telegram-group-joiner\

Cost

Free (open‑source, MIT‑licensed).

Level of difficulty

Beginner–intermediate. No command line is needed if you use the hosted page, but you must create Telegram developer credentials (api_id/api_hash) at my.telegram.org and complete the normal login (which may include a 2‑step verification password and occasionally email verification). Familiarity with Telegram’s developer docs helps.

Requirements

Telegram API Keys: Obtain your API ID and API Hash from my.telegram.org. This involves registering an application to receive these credentials. After entering the API ID and Hash, the tool will ask for your phone number and the 5-digit login code that Telegram sends you. If 2‑step verification is enabled, you’ll be prompted for the password; Telegram may also ask to set/verify a login email in some cases.

Use a modern desktop browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. (The page relies on WebAssembly; very old browsers (and some locked-down corporate ones) won’t load it. Safari older than v15 may fail to load the page.)

Limitations

Account Blocking Risk: There is a risk that Telegram may block the automated account used for group additions. To mitigate this:

  • Use a non-personal Telegram account dedicated to research purposes.

  • Consider using a dedicated phone number ("burner number") when setting up the account.

  • Utilize a VPN to enhance privacy and avoid potential geo-restrictions.

  • Accounts created or logged in via TDLib can be flagged and suspended without warning; use a spare account.

  • Telegram caps one account at roughly 500 groups/channels; after that, you’ll see ‘Limit reached’ errors.

  • Join‑cap: Telegram enforces an account‑level cap on the number of joined channels/supergroups; the values are exposed in the API config (channels_limit_default / channels_limit_premium) and widely tracked as ~500 for free accounts and up to 1000 for Premium (numbers can change). core.telegram.org

  • Rate limits / flood control: Rapid joins can trigger temporary errors; the project includes logic to handle rate limits (see “rate limits handling” commits). Pace additions. GitHub

  • Account risk with TDLib logins: Some developers report temporary or permanent suspensions after authenticating via TDLib (e.g., PHONE_NUMBER_BANNED, EMAIL_NOT_ALLOWED). Use a research‑only account and follow Telegram’s rules. GitHub

  • Releases / maintenance: No tagged releases; the latest repo change was 2023‑12‑18. Treat the hosted page as the current build. GitHub

  • Legal/ToS: Use must comply with Telegram’s Terms and API Terms; avoid spammy or abusive behavior. Telegram

Ethical Considerations

  • Use only on accounts and groups you are authorized to access, for lawful research, and add only the minimum necessary groups for your purpose. Follow recognized guidance on handling digital open‑source information (e.g., the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations) and the Toolkit’s own emphasis on neutral, well‑sourced descriptions.

Guide

General Usage

  1. Access the Tool:

    Visit the Telegram Group Joiner webpage.

  2. Authenticate:

    Enter your API ID, API Hash, and then the 5-digit code Telegram texts you.

  3. Prepare Group Links:

    • You can preload group or channel links by using the links parameter in the URL.

    • Separate multiple links with a semicolon (;).

    Example:

    • Links:

      https://t.me/bellingcat
https://t.me/+privateInvite123id

    • Combined Links: https://t.me/bellingcat;https://t.me/+privateInvite,123id

    • Resulting URL: https://bellingcat.github.io/telegram-group-joiner/?links=https://t.me/bellingcat;https://t.me/+privateInvite,123id

  4. Join Groups:

    • Use the tool interface to automatically join the specified groups or channels.

Helpful Links

GitHub README (usage, ?links= examples, TDLib note). GitHub

Live tool page (for quick use/testing). bellingcat.github.io

Telegram: Creating an application (how to obtain api_id/api_hash). core.telegram.org

TDLib documentation – Web (WASM/JS build overview). core.telegram.org

Self-Hosting

# Installation (self-hosted dev)
git clone https://github.com/bellingcat/telegram-group-joiner
cd telegram-group-joiner
yarn && yarn dev  # or: yarn build

Tool provider

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Page maintainer

Martin Sona

Last updated

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