# Connect Telegram

This guide walks you through connecting Telegram to your Genie environment so you can interact with your AI assistant from your phone or desktop.

There are two ways to connect: the official Genie bot (fastest) or a custom bot you create yourself (full branding control).

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## Prerequisites

* A Genie account with a running server
* A Telegram account

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## Method 1: Use @genie\_deva\_bot (Recommended)

One click to connect — no setup required.

### Step 1: Open Telegram Setup in Genie

Go to your Genie dashboard → **Settings** → **Channels** → **Telegram**. Click **Open @genie\_deva\_bot in Telegram**.

![Genie Channels settings showing Telegram connection options](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f9294d131f53ef8e3e331dbc5e19712264253686%2Ftg-channels-overview.png?alt=media)

### Step 2: Open Telegram

Your browser will prompt you to open Telegram. Click **Open Telegram**.

![Browser prompt to open Telegram application](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1fb586c109e590a449620eaecb7c0cd91eab9872%2Ftg-open-telegram.png?alt=media)

### Step 3: Start the Bot

Telegram opens with the Genie Deva bot. Click the **Start** button at the bottom of the chat.

![Genie Deva bot chat with Start button](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-66656e2804129b09784117c8922f493a039e0b3b%2Ftg-genie-bot-start.png?alt=media)

### Step 4: Connected

The bot confirms the connection: **"Connected to your Genie server!"** You can now start chatting.

![Bot confirms successful connection to Genie server](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1860653dc89d0abcaf98526e46017625784d314d%2Ftg-genie-bot-connected.png?alt=media)

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## Method 2: Bring Your Own Bot

Create a custom bot through BotFather for full control over the bot's name, avatar, and branding.

### Step 1: Expand "Bring your own bot" in Genie

Go to **Settings** → **Channels** → **Telegram** and expand the **Bring your own bot** section. You will see instructions and a token input field.

![Bring your own bot section expanded with token field](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c20a895c39d4d0187f20f1742c04b6ef700c0cea%2Ftg-bring-your-own.png?alt=media)

### Step 2: Create a Bot with BotFather

Open Telegram and message [@BotFather](https://t.me/BotFather). Send `/newbot` to start creating a new bot.

![BotFather chat after sending /newbot](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3c233db71d892bf330fd507464733df6b21bcdd2%2Ftg-botfather-newbot.png?alt=media)

### Step 3: Name Your Bot

Enter a display name for your bot (e.g. "Genie testing bot").

![Entering bot display name in BotFather](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2b205660bf1353a0e66472be7e7f0eec3fed5f3d%2Ftg-botfather-name.png?alt=media)

### Step 4: Set a Username

Enter a username for your bot. It must end in `bot` (e.g. "genie\_testing\_1\_bot").

![Entering bot username in BotFather](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-963a8d7ef23a77cb869c6d896139bb5a7b87e2b1%2Ftg-botfather-username.png?alt=media)

### Step 5: Copy the Token

BotFather generates your bot and displays the **HTTP API token**. Copy the token — you will need it in the next step.

![BotFather showing the generated bot token](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5c9daf574c5022f1bb82f547334af8a0a38a0940%2Ftg-botfather-token.png?alt=media)

### Step 6: Save Token in Genie

Go back to your Genie settings. Paste the token into the input field under **Bring your own bot** and click **Save & Connect**.

![Token pasted and saved in Genie settings](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3d3078ad0875f4dcfb3c1d14eac57a9d7231d52d%2Ftg-token-saved.png?alt=media)

You should see a confirmation: **"Bot token saved."**

![Token saved confirmation in Genie settings](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-035923da4cc3a744ef9f158030b26929f398def3%2Ftg-token-confirmed.png?alt=media)

### Step 7: Start Chatting

Open your custom bot in Telegram and click **Start**.

![Custom bot chat with Start button](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9881c706453a129e751e1efcdb7f8244befee3d0%2Ftg-custom-bot-start.png?alt=media)

The bot will greet you and begin the initial setup. You are now connected.

![Custom bot responding after successful connection](https://253630326-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fy3wRNrxvvjTFreyXSBOV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-44c55676704a024e250fd03afddb27993f9da5c8%2Ftg-custom-bot-connected.png?alt=media)

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## Tips

* Use Telegram for quick questions and status checks
* Voice messages are supported for hands-free interaction
* Conversations sync across all your Telegram devices
* A custom bot gives you full control over branding and identity
* You can manage access requests from your Genie settings