Telegram requires a phone number to create an account — and one number works for exactly ONE account. Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram has native multi-account support, but you still need a different number for each profile. If you need multiple Telegram accounts for channels, bots, or privacy, you have two options: buy expensive SIM cards or use virtual numbers.

In 2026, the fastest and most affordable way to create multiple Telegram accounts is using virtual numbers from CodesSender. Starting from just $0.66 per account. This guide shows you how to create 5, 10, or even 20 Telegram accounts without buying a single physical SIM.

Who Needs Multiple Telegram Accounts?

Telegram Channel Owners — separate accounts for different niches (crypto, news, education, entertainment)
Bot Developers — test accounts for Telegram bot development and API testing
Privacy Advocates — compartmentalize your digital identity across different communities
Journalists & Activists — anonymous sources and whistleblowing channels
Geotargeting — local numbers for different countries (US, UK, Vietnam, Indonesia)
Community Managers — manage multiple Telegram groups from one device
A/B Testing — test different channel names, descriptions, and content strategies
Business Separation — separate accounts for different projects, clients, or brands

Why You Can't Use One Phone Number for Multiple Telegram Accounts

Telegram's security system links each account to a unique phone number. When you try to verify the same number twice, Telegram will:

Log you into your existing account instead of creating a new one
Show the error: "This phone number is already registered"
Never allow a second account on the same number

The only solution is having a different phone number for each Telegram account. Virtual numbers solve this at 95% less cost than physical SIMs.

Solution: Virtual Numbers for Every Telegram Account

CodesSender provides real SIM-based virtual numbers that receive Telegram verification SMS instantly. Each number works for one Telegram account — just like a physical SIM, but cheaper and faster.

What Makes CodesSender Different for Telegram Multi-Account

Real SIM-based numbers — not VoIP (Telegram blocks most VoIP numbers)
50+ countries available — from $0.66 to $14.30
Pay only for successful deliveries — no charge if code doesn't arrive
Instant activation — code arrives in 10-30 seconds
No subscription — pay per account, no hidden fees

Real Telegram Virtual Number Prices (May 2026)

Based on current CodesSender API data. These are the cheapest countries for Telegram SMS activation:

How Much Does It Cost to Create Multiple Telegram Accounts?

Here's the real cost breakdown for 5, 10, and 20 accounts using the cheapest countries. Notice how Telegram is significantly cheaper than WhatsApp:

Country	Starting Price (USD)	Success Rate	Action
Vietnam	$0.66 🔥	High	GET SMS
Kenya	$0.82	High	GET SMS
South Africa	$1.00	High	GET SMS
Nigeria	$1.00	High	GET SMS
Bangladesh	$1.25	High	GET SMS
Cameroon	$1.25	High	GET SMS
Indonesia	$1.25	Very High	GET SMS
United Kingdom	$1.60	Very High	GET SMS
Colombia	$1.66	Very High	GET SMS
Thailand	$1.70	High	GET SMS
United States	$3.31	Very High	GET SMS

💡 Pro tip for Telegram multi-account: Mix countries across your accounts. Vietnam for budget accounts, UK for primary admin, US for high-trust channels. This reduces pattern detection and keeps all accounts safe.

How to Create Multiple Telegram Accounts — Step by Step

What You Need Before Starting

A free CodesSender account
Small balance ($5-10 for multiple accounts)
Telegram app installed on your phone or desktop
No cloning apps needed! — Telegram supports multiple accounts natively

Step 1 — Get Your First Virtual Number for Telegram

Go to codessender.com/activation/service/telegram. Choose a country from the table above. Click Activate and copy the virtual number.

Step 2 — Register Telegram Account #1

Open Telegram. Enter the virtual number. Request SMS code. Return to CodesSender and click Get SMS. Enter the 5-digit code. Complete profile setup.

Step 3 — Create Account #2, #3, #4... (Native Multi-Account)

Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram lets you add multiple accounts natively:

Go to Settings → Scroll to the bottom
Tap "Add Account" or "Add Another Account"
Get a new virtual number from CodesSender (different from previous ones)
Repeat the registration process for each new account

Step 4 — Switch Between Accounts Instantly

Once added, you can switch between all your Telegram accounts with one tap:

Tap your profile picture in the top left
Select which account you want to use
Each account has separate chats, channels, and settings

⚠️ No cloning apps needed! Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram has built-in multi-account support on Android, iOS, and Desktop. You can add up to 3 accounts on iOS and 5+ on Android without any third-party tools.

Best Practices for Multiple Telegram Accounts (Avoid Bans)

1. Use Different Countries for Different Accounts

Don't register 10 accounts all from Vietnam. Mix them: Vietnam, Kenya, UK, Colombia, Indonesia. Telegram looks for patterns — don't be the pattern.

2. Different Profile Photos and Bios

Each account should look unique. Same photo across 5 accounts = suspicious activity flag.

3. Add Recovery Emails to Each Account

Telegram allows email recovery. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Two-Step Verification and add a recovery email. This protects your account even if you lose the virtual number.

4. Use Different IPs for Bulk Registration

If registering 20+ accounts, rotate IP addresses. Mobile data + WiFi + VPN works.

5. Keep Each Account Active

Telegram rarely reclaims numbers, but inactive accounts may be subject to cleanup. Send a message or log in every few months.

6. Don't Spam from Fresh Accounts

New Telegram accounts have limits. Don't join 50 groups or message 100 strangers on day one. Warm up each account gradually.

Telegram vs WhatsApp: Multi-Account Comparison

Number of Accounts	Cheapest (Vietnam $0.66)	Popular (UK $1.60)	US Numbers ($3.31)
5 accounts	$3.30	$8.00	$16.55
10 accounts	$6.60	$16.00	$33.10
20 accounts	$13.20	$32.00	$66.20
50 accounts	$33.00	$80.00	$165.50

Common Issues and Fixes for Telegram Multi-Account Setup

"This phone number is banned" or "Too many attempts"

Some numbers get rate-limited by Telegram. Release the current number in CodesSender and request a fresh one. UK and Indonesia numbers have the lowest ban rates.

SMS code not arriving

Wait 60 seconds maximum. If nothing arrives, release and get a new number. CodesSender only charges when code is successfully delivered. Vietnam and UK have the fastest delivery.

Telegram asks for a call instead of SMS

If Telegram offers a voice call option, don't use it with virtual numbers. Wait 30 seconds and the SMS option will reappear.

Can't add more than 3 accounts on Telegram

iOS limits to 3 accounts. Android allows 5+ accounts. For more than 5 Telegram accounts, use Telegram Desktop (unlimited accounts) or multiple devices.

Use Cases for Multiple Telegram Accounts

1. Channel Owners

Run a crypto channel, a news channel, and a local community channel — each with its own dedicated account. This protects your main identity if one channel gets reported.

2. Bot Developers

Test your Telegram bots without risking your main account. Create separate test accounts for different bot versions or features.

3. Privacy-Focused Users

Use different accounts for different communities. One account for friends and family, another for public groups, a third for business contacts.

4. International Users

Create accounts with local numbers from different countries (US, UK, Vietnam) to access region-specific Telegram content or bypass local restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions — Multiple Telegram Accounts

Can I use one phone number for two Telegram accounts?

No. Telegram's system is designed for one number = one account. You need a different number for each Telegram profile.

How many Telegram accounts can I create?

Theoretically unlimited. Each account needs its own unique virtual number. CodesSender has thousands of numbers available across 50+ countries. Telegram Desktop supports unlimited account switching.

Is it legal to have multiple Telegram accounts?

Yes. Many channel owners, developers, and privacy-focused users run multiple Telegram accounts. Just don't use them for spam or violate Telegram's Terms of Service.

Will Telegram ban my accounts for using virtual numbers?

CodesSender uses real SIM-based numbers (not VoIP). Telegram allows these. Bans only happen for spam behavior, not for using virtual numbers properly.

Can I use the same virtual number again for a different Telegram account?

No. Once a number is used for Telegram, it's locked to that account. Each new account needs a fresh virtual number.

What's cheaper — SIM cards or virtual numbers for 10 Telegram accounts?

10 physical SIMs: $50-100 + monthly fees. 10 virtual numbers from CodesSender: $6.60-16.00 one-time payment. Virtual numbers are 90% cheaper.

Do I need to keep the virtual number active after registration?

No. For SMS activation (one-time payment), you only need the number to receive the initial code. After that, Telegram works normally. However, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram has Two-Step Verification with recovery email — enable this to protect your account without the phone number.

Can I recover my Telegram account if I lose the virtual number?

Yes — if you set up recovery options. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Two-Step Verification. Add a password and a recovery email. This allows you to recover your account without SMS.

SMS Activation vs Phone Rental for Multiple Telegram Accounts

SMS Activation ($0.66–$14.30 per account) — one-time verification. Best for creating many accounts for channels, bots, or testing. You pay once, keep the Telegram account forever — especially if you add Two-Step Verification with email recovery.

Phone Rental ($5–$15 per week per number) — keeps the number active long-term. Only necessary if you plan to receive Telegram calls or need SMS recovery. For most multi-account users, SMS activation plus Two-Step Verification email is the better choice.

👉 Rent a Telegram number here →

Conclusion

Creating multiple Telegram accounts without buying physical SIM cards is straightforward with CodesSender. Each account costs as little as $0.66 — 90-95% cheaper than traditional SIM cards. Plus, Telegram's native multi-account support makes it even easier than WhatsApp.

Quick recap for Telegram multi-account success:

Use different countries for different accounts (mix Vietnam, Kenya, UK, Colombia)
No cloning apps needed — use Telegram's built-in "Add Account" feature
Enable Two-Step Verification and add a recovery email to each account
UK and US numbers have the highest success rate ($1.60-3.31)
Budget countries start at $0.66-1.25
Telegram Desktop supports unlimited account switching

Ready to scale your Telegram presence? Start with 5 accounts today for under $4 with Vietnam numbers or under $10 with UK numbers.

Get your first Telegram virtual number now →

Feature	Telegram	WhatsApp
Native multi-account support	Yes (settings → add account)	No (needs cloning apps)
Cheapest virtual number	$0.66 (Vietnam)	$1.25 (Cameroon)
Max accounts on one device	3-5+ (depending on OS)	1 (or 2 with Business)
Cloud-based switching	Yes (instant switch)	No (app clones required)
Best for	Channels, bots, anonymous accounts	Personal/business messaging