Telegram Tests Passkey Login: No Phone Number or Verification Code Required

Telegram Tests Passkey Login: No Phone Number or Verification Code Required

Messaging platform introduces seamless authentication in Russia as SMS verification faces restrictions

Telegram has begun rolling out passkey login functionality, starting with users in the Russian market.

This new authentication method allows users to access their accounts quickly without entering phone numbers or waiting for verification codes—a significant departure from traditional login procedures.

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Why Russia First?

The initial deployment in Russia appears strategic rather than coincidental. According to industry observers, Russian authorities have begun blocking Telegram’s SMS verification channels, creating access difficulties for users relying on traditional authentication methods. By implementing passkey login, Telegram ensures Russian users can continue accessing their accounts seamlessly despite these restrictions.

The timing suggests this rollout serves dual purposes: addressing immediate access concerns in Russia while conducting real-world testing before a broader global expansion.

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Benefits Beyond Circumvention

Passkeys offer advantages extending well beyond navigating regulatory challenges. For Telegram, reducing reliance on SMS verification codes translates directly to substantial cost savings—the platform sends millions of verification messages daily across its user base.

For users, passkeys eliminate common friction points in the login process. No more waiting for SMS messages that may arrive late or not at all, no more manually typing six-digit codes, and no concerns about SMS interception or SIM-swapping attacks.

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How to Create a Telegram Passkey

Currently, passkey creation requires specific conditions:

Version Requirements: Android users need version 12.2.10 or later, while iOS users require version 12.2.3 or higher.

Eligibility: At present, only accounts linked to Russian phone numbers can access this feature.

Setup Process: Users must first log in using traditional methods, then navigate to Settings > Privacy > Passkeys. If the passkey option doesn’t appear, the account hasn’t been enabled for this feature yet.

Once in the passkey menu, users can tap “Add Passkey” to create their authentication credential. The passkey stores securely in either the device’s native password manager or third-party password management applications. Subsequent logins may require biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) or PIN verification, depending on device settings.

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Using Passkey Login

After creating a passkey, Telegram automatically prompts users to authenticate via passkey during login attempts. If the prompt doesn’t appear immediately, waiting several seconds reveals a “Login with Passkey” option beneath the phone number field.

Since passkeys contain complete identity information, users bypass both phone number entry and verification code requests entirely. The authentication process becomes remarkably streamlined—open the app, verify your identity through biometrics or PIN, and access your account.

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Phone Numbers Still Required

Despite this authentication advancement, Telegram hasn’t eliminated phone number requirements entirely. New users must still provide and verify a phone number during initial registration (except for +888 virtual numbers, which represent a separate feature).

This requirement serves Telegram’s anti-spam strategy. Phone number verification remains one of the platform’s primary defenses against mass account creation and abuse. Even as passkey technology matures, Telegram will likely maintain phone verification for new registrations to preserve account quality and platform security.

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The Broader Passkey Movement

Telegram joins a growing number of technology platforms adopting passkey authentication, a standard developed by the FIDO Alliance and supported by Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Passkeys use public-key cryptography, making them resistant to phishing attacks and data breaches that compromise traditional passwords.

Major services including Google, Apple, Microsoft, PayPal, and others have implemented passkey support over the past two years. As a passwordless authentication standard, passkeys represent what many security experts consider the future of online authentication.

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What’s Next

Following completion of testing in Russia, Telegram is expected to gradually expand passkey availability to all global markets. The phased rollout allows the company to identify and address technical issues before wider deployment.

For users outside Russia eager to adopt this technology, the wait may not be long. If testing proceeds smoothly, broader availability could come within months, bringing faster, more secure authentication to Telegram’s estimated 900 million users worldwide.

As digital communication platforms continue balancing security, convenience, and accessibility, Telegram’s passkey implementation represents a meaningful step toward eliminating outdated authentication methods while strengthening user account protection. Whether driven by necessity in restricted markets or proactive innovation, the result benefits users everywhere through reduced friction and enhanced security.