Telegram group permissions decide what ordinary members are allowed to do: send text, share media, add people, pin messages, change the group's name and photo, or create topics. They are separate from admin rights, which you hand out one person at a time. Getting the default permissions right is the single cheapest way to cut spam and keep a group readable, because it applies to everyone automatically.
This guide explains where the settings live, what each switch actually controls, how to make exceptions for individual members, and which combinations work well for common types of groups.
Where to find the permission settings
Only the owner and admins with the right to ban or restrict users can change member permissions. On mobile and desktop the path is similar:
- Open the group and tap its name at the top to open the group profile.
- Tap Edit (the pencil icon on Android and desktop).
- Choose Permissions.
The screen you land on has three parts: a list of toggles that apply to all members, a slow mode slider, and an Exceptions list for members who get different rules. Depending on your app version you may also see a link to the list of removed users here.
What each permission controls
Labels vary slightly between Android, iOS and desktop, but the core switches are the same.
| Permission | What it allows | When to turn it off |
|---|---|---|
| Send messages | Posting text in the chat | Announcement-style groups where only admins post |
| Send media | Photos, videos, files, stickers and GIFs, voice and video messages, music, polls, link previews (each can be toggled separately in current versions) | When stickers, GIF floods or file spam are a problem |
| Add members | Adding contacts directly to the group | Almost always, in groups larger than a circle of friends |
| Pin messages | Pinning messages at the top of the chat | Any group with more than a handful of people |
| Change group info | Editing the name, photo and description | Every public or large group |
| Manage topics | Creating and editing topics (only in groups with Topics enabled) | When you want a fixed, admin-curated topic list |
The media sub-permissions
Newer Telegram versions split "Send media" into individual types. This is more useful than it sounds. You can, for example, allow photos and files in a study group but block stickers and GIFs, or allow voice messages in a language-practice group while turning off embedded link previews. If you only see a single media toggle, update the app; the finer controls are applied by Telegram's servers, so they work for members on any version.
Link previews versus links
Turning off embedded links stops rich previews from appearing, but it is not a reliable way to block links entirely. If link spam is your main problem, combine stricter permissions with slow mode, join requests or a moderation bot.
Exceptions: different rules for specific members
Exceptions let you loosen or tighten permissions for one person without making them an admin. Typical uses:
- Trusted contributors. In a group where media is off for everyone, let a few regulars post screenshots or files.
- Temporary restrictions. Instead of banning someone who broke a rule, take away their ability to send messages for a day or a week. Telegram lets you set a restriction to last until a chosen time.
- Guest speakers. Give a visiting expert the right to pin their own summary during an event.
To add one, open Permissions, tap Add exception, pick the member, and adjust their switches. You can also long-press or right-click a member's message and choose to restrict them, which opens the same controls. Review the exceptions list now and then; temporary decisions have a way of becoming permanent by accident.
Slow mode and other settings on the same screen
Slow mode limits how often each member can send a message, from a few seconds up to an hour between messages. It is the most effective tool for a busy group where the same few people dominate the conversation. Admins are not affected by it. The details and recommended intervals are covered in our guide to Telegram slow mode.
Keep in mind that permissions only govern members who are already inside. Who can get in at all is controlled by your group type (public or private), invite links and join requests. If strangers arrive in waves, tightening the door with join requests usually works better than locking down permissions for everyone.
Recommended setups for common groups
Small private group (friends, family, a team)
Leave most permissions on. Consider turning off "Change group info" so nobody renames the chat as a joke at 2 a.m. Adding members can stay on if everyone knows each other.
Public discussion group (a hobby, a city, a product)
- Send messages: on
- Media: photos on; stickers and GIFs off or on depending on the culture you want
- Add members: off (people join through the public link instead)
- Pin messages and change group info: off
- Slow mode: a short interval once the group gets busy
Support or help group
Allow text, photos and files so people can share screenshots and error logs. Turn off stickers and GIFs to keep threads searchable. If you use Topics, keep "Manage topics" for admins so the structure stays clean.
Announcement group
If you want one-way posting, turn off "Send messages" for members. That said, a channel is often the better fit for pure announcements, with a linked discussion group for replies.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Making someone an admin just to bypass a restriction. Use an exception instead. Admin rights are much broader and harder to take back gracefully.
- Locking everything on day one. A new group with no permissions feels dead. Start open, then tighten when a real problem appears.
- Forgetting bots. Bots you add as regular members are subject to the same permissions. If a bot needs to delete messages or restrict users, it must be an admin with those specific rights.
- Not explaining the rules. If media is off, say so in the pinned rules. Members who don't know why they can't send a photo tend to leave or complain.
Once your settings are in place, you can see how your group compares with others in the same niche by browsing the Grupla directory of Telegram groups.
Frequently asked questions
Do member permissions apply to admins?
No. Admins are governed by their own admin rights, not by the default member permissions. An admin can still post media even if media is turned off for members.
Can I restrict one member without banning them?
Yes. Add the member as an exception in the Permissions screen, or restrict them from one of their messages, then turn off the specific actions you want to block. You can set the restriction to end automatically.
Why can't I see the Permissions option?
You need to be the owner or an admin with the right to ban users. Channels also do not have member permissions, because subscribers cannot post in a channel in the first place.