What to Do When You Forget Your Telegram Two-Step Verification Password

Two-Step Verification (2SV) adds an extra layer of security to your Telegram account by requiring a password in addition to the SMS code. But what happens if you forget that password? Follow this guide to understand your options and protect your account.

🔐 Understanding Two-Step Verification

When you enable 2SV, Telegram asks for a password whenever you log in on a new device, even if you have the SMS code. You can also set a recovery email to reset the password if needed.

1. Attempt Password Reset via Recovery Email

Open the Telegram app and try to log in with your phone number.
Enter the SMS login code.
When prompted for your 2SV password, click “Forgot password?”.
You will receive a reset link at your recovery email—click it.
Enter and confirm a new password on the Telegram website.

Note: This only works if you set up a recovery email when enabling 2SV.

2. No Recovery Email Set? Your Options

If you didn’t set a recovery email, Telegram cannot reset your 2SV password. Your only choices are:

Wait It Out: After 7 days of inactivity, you can log in with SMS only, and 2SV is disabled automatically.
Create a New Account: If you can’t wait or need immediate access, register a new number and start fresh.

Warning: Waiting 7 days means you won’t receive messages until then, and some contacts may remove or forget you. Creating a new account means losing all chats and contacts from the old one.

3. Re-Enable Two-Step Verification Securely

Once you regain access, follow these best practices:

Set a strong, memorable password (consider using a password manager).
Enable a recovery email immediately.
Store your password and recovery email details securely.

4. Additional Security Tips

Regularly review active sessions in Settings → Devices and terminate any you don’t recognize.
Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols in your 2SV password.
Enable app lock (PIN or biometric) for extra protection on your device.

Conclusion

Forgetting your Telegram two-step verification password can be frustrating, but with a recovery email or patience, you can regain access. Always set a recovery email and follow security best practices to avoid future lockouts.