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The “People Nearby” function helps quickly find nearby users and join local communities. To understand how to find people nearby in Telegram, open the “Contacts” tab and select “Find People Nearby.” Allow access to geolocation and choose a profile or create a local group. After searching, you can temporarily hide yourself so your profile is not visible to others.
If after searching you want to establish a presence in local results, boost basic signals: fill out your profile, add a current avatar, enable “Who can see me nearby” for 10–15 minutes, and join topical groups in your area. Respect privacy: after your session, tap “Stop Showing Me.” For a quick demand test, you can carefully connect Telegram subscribers boosting as a short-term boost, but rely on audience quality and platform rules — organic contacts from “People Nearby” usually yield higher response and fewer risks.
Open Telegram – Contacts – Find People Nearby. Allow access to geolocation, select a profile from the list or create a local group. If you want to hide – tap “Stop Showing Me” and ensure the status is hidden. This will protect your account from random contacts.
If after reinstalling Telegram the “People Nearby” function doesn’t appear, log in again with your number, check the geolocation permission and show status. If you only deleted the app – chats and contacts are stored in the cloud and will return after login. If the account was completely deleted, the history cannot be restored, and you’ll have to create a new profile. Details and options are described here: How to Restore Telegram After Deletion.
If you don’t see anyone nearby, make sure geolocation is enabled. Perhaps there just aren’t any active users nearby. Also check system permissions for location access – without them, the function won’t work.
The “People Nearby” function in Telegram is a tool for instant offline networking. It’s available in the “Contacts” section and shows users within a radius of up to several hundred meters. The working radius depends on geolocation accuracy and user activity in your area.
On iPhone, the function is in Contacts – Find People Nearby. On Android, the path is similar. Upon first use, Telegram will request permission for geolocation access. Without it, the list will remain empty.
The function displays people, groups, and local chats. You can join interest-based communities or create your own. The search radius adjusts automatically based on the density of nearby users.
In “People Nearby,” you can view the list without enabling “Show Me.” You become visible only after tapping “Make Myself Visible” or “Show Me.” This is convenient if you want to study the list without revealing your location.
The function provides quick access to new contacts, but it’s important to remember confidentiality. Don’t publish personal data in the open profile description. Check who can write, call, and see your number. If using the function at events or in new places – disable the show after finishing the search.
By transmitting distance, Telegram can give a malicious actor the ability to estimate your approximate location. By moving and comparing distances, a person can narrow the radius to a few dozen meters. Enable showing only during search time, avoid using the function at home or near work. Always end the session with the “Stop Showing Me” button.
| Platform | Path | Enable Show | Stop Show | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | Contacts → Find People Nearby | “Make Myself Visible” | “Stop Showing Me” | Allow geolocation |
| Android | Contacts → Find People Nearby | “Make Myself Visible” | “Stop Showing Me” | Check geo permissions |
| View without Showing | Same path | Not required | — | Can view list while remaining invisible |
| Parameter | Recommendation | Where |
| Phone number | Nobody | Settings → Privacy |
| Who can find by number | My Contacts | Settings → Privacy |
| Who can write/call | My Contacts / Nobody | Settings → Privacy |
| P2P calls | Default / Disable | Settings → Privacy |
| Last seen | Nobody / Contacts | Settings → Privacy |
Don’t enable the function in unfamiliar places, at home, on business trips, or with a public profile indicating work and school. This helps avoid situations where your approximate address can be determined by triangulation. Always disable showing as soon as the search goal is achieved.
To create a local group, open Contacts – Find People Nearby – Create Local Group. Write a clear description, add emojis and a topic. After launch, set up moderation to avoid spam and chaos.
For clean communication, enable Slow Mode, limit media sending for newcomers, add an auto-welcome with rules, and assign 1–2 moderators. These measures preserve trust and participant retention.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | What to Do |
| List is empty | Geo blocked / few users | Allow geo in OS, try another time/place |
| “I’m not seen” | Show off / cache | Enable show, re-enter section, clear cache |
| Distance “fluctuates” | GPS/AGPS error (indoors) | Go to an open area, grant “Precise Location” |
| Friend not visible | They are hidden / different client version | Ask to enable show / update app |
| Too much spam | Show left on in a crowded place | Immediately “Stop Showing Me,” tighten privacy |
Enable geolocation in the system, update the app, and open Contacts – Find People Nearby. Check that “Show Me” is enabled. Sometimes try another time or place.
Yes, you can view the list without showing yourself, but with limited permissions, the visibility of other users may decrease. This depends on the app version and privacy policy.
Choose “Create Local Group,” add a clear description and geotag. Moderation and activity will help the group stay visible.
This is normal GPS and AGPS error, especially indoors. For stable work, go to an open area.
It’s recommended to activate showing only when necessary. After finishing your search, turn off the function to avoid attracting unwanted contacts.
This usually happens due to an old Telegram version or a ban on geolocation access. Update the app and allow location usage.
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