How to set up a TON wallet on Telegram? (Tonkeeper Guide)

Understanding TON Wallet Integration in Telegram

1. The Telegram app natively supports The Open Network (TON) through its built-in wallet feature, activated by default for users on iOS and Android versions 10.0.0 or higher.

2. This wallet operates directly on the TON blockchain without requiring third-party extensions or browser-based interfaces.

3. Users gain access to wallet functions via the “Wallet” tab inside any TON-related chat or through the main menu under “Settings > Privacy and Security > TON Wallet”.

4. No separate download is needed—the wallet uses Telegram’s secure key management system, with private keys stored locally and never shared with servers.

5. Each wallet is tied to a user’s Telegram identity, enabling seamless transfers using @username instead of long wallet addresses.

Creating and Securing Your Built-in TON Wallet

1. Launch Telegram and ensure your account is verified with a phone number linked to an active SIM card.

2. Navigate to “Settings > Privacy and Security > TON Wallet” and tap “Create Wallet”.

3. A 24-word recovery phrase appears—this phrase must be written down manually and stored offline; it cannot be retrieved later.

4. Confirm the phrase by re-entering selected words in random order to verify memorization and physical record accuracy.

5. After confirmation, the wallet initializes with zero balance and generates a unique TON address visible under “My Address”.

Transferring TON Tokens and Managing Assets

1. To receive funds, share your TON address or @username with senders—Telegram automatically resolves usernames to wallet addresses on-chain.

2. To send TON, open a chat with the recipient, tap the attachment icon, select “TON Wallet”, enter the amount, and confirm with biometric authentication.

3. Transaction history is fully visible within the wallet interface, showing timestamps, amounts, and status indicators like “confirmed” or “pending”.

4. Gas fees are deducted automatically and displayed before confirmation; they remain consistently low due to TON’s high-throughput architecture.

5. Non-native tokens such as jUSDT or STON can be added manually by entering their contract addresses—no token list is preloaded.

Using Tonkeeper as a Complementary Wallet Interface

1. Tonkeeper is a standalone mobile application that supports full TON wallet functionality, including advanced staking, NFT management, and dApp browser integration.

2. It allows import of wallets created in Telegram using the same 24-word recovery phrase—ensuring continuity across platforms.

3. Within Tonkeeper, users can delegate TON to validators, monitor uptime statistics, and claim staking rewards directly from the dashboard.

4. The app supports multi-signature setups and hardware wallet connections via Ledger devices, offering enhanced security options beyond Telegram’s native implementation.

5. DApp interaction occurs through Tonkeeper’s built-in browser, which injects wallet context into decentralized applications without exposing private keys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use my Telegram TON wallet on desktop?A: No. The native wallet is only available on official iOS and Android apps. Desktop and web versions do not support wallet initialization or transaction signing.

Q: What happens if I uninstall Telegram but keep my recovery phrase?A: You can restore full wallet access using the same 24-word phrase in either Telegram (on mobile) or Tonkeeper—no data is lost if the phrase is preserved.

Q: Is it possible to change the wallet’s recovery phrase after creation?A: No. The phrase is generated once during setup and cannot be altered. Creating a new wallet generates a new phrase and severs ties with prior balances unless manually transferred.

Q: Why does Telegram require SMS verification to activate the wallet?A: SMS verification acts as a foundational identity layer to prevent automated wallet creation at scale and aligns with TON’s anti-sybil mechanisms for network integrity.