Functionality
To start configuring Partisan Telegram, go to: Settings → Privacy and Security → Passcode Lock
Create and enter a four-digit code. Alternatively, tap the three dots in the corner, select Use password, and enter a custom character-based password.
The "Passcode Lock" screen appears. In this menu you can set up fake passcodes and configure additional Partisan Telegram features.
To lock the app immediately when you minimize it or lock your screen, change the auto-lock setting from 1 minute to 1 second.
If auto-lock is set to 1 second, entering a fake passcode will switch it back to 1 minute (as in the original Telegram) to make PTelegram harder to distinguish from the official app.
In the original Telegram, the app increases the delay between passcode attempts after several failed tries, up to a maximum of 30 seconds. The delay starts at 5 seconds and increases with each failed attempt. However, a 30-second delay may not be sufficient. In practice, someone could still brute force a 4-digit code within about 3.5 days.
If you enable Brute Force Protection in PTelegram, the app will reject all passcode attempts for 15 minutes after 8 failed tries. The interface does not change, so it appears as if attempts continue normally. An intruder can keep trying every 30 seconds, but the app will reject even the correct code during this period.
After 15 minutes, the app allows a normal unlock attempt. If the passcode is still incorrect, it blocks attempts for another 15 minutes. This cycle continues until the correct passcode is entered.
If you enable this option, PTelegram clears the cache every time you lock the app using the lock button above the chat list.
This ensures that the messenger locks manually and prevents access to cached photos or other data without unlocking the app.
The app stores information about failed passcode attempts. This can be viewed in the passcode settings under "Bad Passcode Attempts". "App Login" means that the passcode was entered when logging in to the app. "Settings Login" means that the passcode was entered when logging in to the passcode settings. If the passcode was fake, the corresponding text will be shown. Information about logging in with a fake passcode is always saved, even if it was possible to log in with it.
It is possible to set up photography with the main camera, front camera or both cameras. In this case, after an unsuccessful login attempt, an entry will be added to the log along with photos. To save to the gallery, long press the photo. This function may not work correctly! Sometimes a photo may not be taken or a photo from only one camera may be saved. This function can be dangerous! Sometimes a sound may be produced during taking a photo. If the front camera is pop-up, an intruder may suspect that the app has taken a photo. Ensure in advance that the function works correctly on your device!
To add a fake passcode, open the Passcode Lock screen and select Add Fake Passcode. Create a passcode for emergency or other specific situations.
Fake passcodes can match the format of your main passcode: either a 4-digit code or an alphanumeric password.
After creating a fake passcode, the Fake Passcode screen opens. In this menu you can configure actions that PTelegram will automatically perform when you enter that code (for example, hiding accounts or clearing cache). You can also change or delete the fake passcode.
By default, a fake passcode unlocks the app. You can disable this behavior.
If you disable login, PTelegram still performs all configured actions, but the app shows that the passcode is incorrect.
If someone may gain access to your real passcode, enable this option to prevent them from discovering how your fake passcodes were configured (for example, which chats or messages were set to be deleted).
When this option is enabled, entering this fake passcode automatically removes all other fake passcodes.
Many users set a lock on their device but not on individual apps. A passcode in Telegram may therefore raise suspicion. Passwordless Mode helps the app appear as if it does not use a passcode at all.
If you enable this option, PTelegram runs in fake passcode mode by default, you won't have to enter the passcode to log in to the app.
To activate Passwordless Mode:
- enable the Passwordless Mode option in the Fake Passcode settings;
- unlock the app using that fake passcode.
In this mode the app looks like a regular Telegram client without a passcode, while still applying all actions configured for that fake passcode (for example, hiding selected chats or channels).
To switch to another passcode, type it into the search bar and tap the left-facing arrow:
- entering the real passcode restores the normal mode;
- entering another fake passcode triggers its configured actions.
You can combine Passwordless Mode with activation by timer to enable it automatically after a period of inactivity.
For more details, watch the video.
Passwordless Mode reduces suspicion but also limits your ability to protect or erase data in critical situations.
If someone gains access to a device while Passwordless Mode is active, they can open the app immediately without entering a passcode. In that case, you will not be able to trigger protective actions (such as logging out or deleting chats) using the fake passcode.
Depending on the situation, Passwordless Mode may either improve safety or reduce it — use it carefully.
This option lets you pretend like you entered your real passcode instead of a fake one.
It can be useful in high-risk situations when for some reasons you can’t hide the fact that you’re using Partisan Telegram. For example, if someone has known you’re using this modified version and forces you to use your real passcode, you can give him the fake passcode with this option enabled.
When the intruder enter this fake passcode, the app quietly performs all configured actions (for example, deleting selected chats or channels). At the same time, the fake passcode disappears from the list and becomes the new real passcode. The app behaves as if you unlocked it with the original passcode.
The intruder gets what appears to be your real passcode and may confirm that you’re using Partisan Telegram — but he won’t know which emergency actions were triggered.
You can activate a fake passcode (along with all its configured actions) by receiving a predefined activation message.
This means any Telegram user who knows the message can trigger it remotely. They only need to send the message in any private or group chat that your account can access. The message does not need to be addressed to you directly — your account just needs to be a member of the chat.
Choose a message that cannot be sent accidentally. Share it only with trusted people who can react quickly in an emergency.
You can configure a fake passcode to activate after a specific number of failed passcode attempts.
Once the limit is reached, the app triggers the configured emergency actions (for example, deleting selected chats or channels).
A fake passcode can activate automatically after a period of inactivity.
The timer starts when you close, minimize, or lock the app. It also continues running while the device is turned off.
The timer resets when:
- you open the app and it is not locked with a passcode (for example, if auto-lock is disabled or hasn’t triggered yet);
- you unlock the app with any passcode, including a fake one.
Entering an incorrect passcode does not reset the timer.
If multiple fake passcodes use activation by timer, the app triggers them in order, starting with the shortest timer.
If a fake passcode with a timer is already active (even if you activated it manually), other fake passcodes will only trigger if their timer duration is longer than the current one.
Use this feature as a backup in case you cannot enter the fake passcode manually.
You can activate a fake passcode using a fingerprint scan.
This feature is unavailable if fingerprint authentication is disabled in your device settings. You can assign fingerprint activation to only one fake passcode.
By default, the app stores downloaded images, videos, audio, and voice messages on your device. Someone who gains access to your phone can easily retrieve this data.
To prevent this, PTelegram can automatically clear the cache when you enter the fake passcode.
However, if you disable automatic media downloads in Telegram settings, this behavior becomes less noticeable, since media won’t download unless you trigger it manually.
Your proxy list may contain server addresses that can be used to find out some information about you. For example, if it includes Cyber Partisans proxies, it may indicate that you follow related channels.
Clearing the proxy list helps prevent this type of disclosure.
The app clears proxies last. This means any network-related actions (such as sending messages or terminating sessions) will still use the proxy if it has been connected.
You can create a backup of a fake passcode and restore it later. This is useful after reinstalling the app, switching devices, or deleting passcodes.
The backup is a string containing encrypted data for the fake passcode. The fake passcode itself serves as the encryption key.
Make sure to copy and store this backup string in a secure place.
To restore the fake passcode:
- tap Restore Fake Passcode (below the Fake Passcodes list);
- paste the backup string;
- enter the fake passcode.
In Partisan Telegram, you can configure different emergency actions for each account.
For example, you can hide one account while deleting selected chats in another.
To set account-specific actions up:
- create or select a fake passcode,
- open the Fake Passcode menu,
- scroll to Account-specific Actions,
- select an account.
You’ll see a screen where you can configure actions that will run when you enter that fake passcode.
You can back up a fake passcode so you can restore it later. This option may be needed after reinstalling the application, switching to a new device, or deleting the passcode. The backup is a set of characters that contains the encrypted data of a fake passcode. The encryption key is the passcode itself. This backup string must be copied and stored in a safe place.
To recover the fake passcode, you must click on the "Recover Fake Passcode" button, which is located under the list of fake passcodes, insert the fake passcode backup string and enter the corresponding passcode.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app can send a message to a selected Telegram contact.
After sending, the app deletes the message from your account. Even if you delete the chat, it will not prevent the message from being sent.
Add Geolocation.
If you enable this option, the message will include your location. The feature requires location permissions.
To maintain disguise, the app does not fetch your live location at the moment of sending. Instead, it uses a cached location value. For example, if you recently opened a maps app, it will send that last known location.
If you haven’t used a maps app recently, the location may be outdated or not included at all.
If you enable this option, the app will show the fake phone number (which you define in settings) when you log in using a fake passcode.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app can delete or hide chats and channels you’ve preselected. If you remove a group chat from your chat list, your account will automatically leave that group first.
For each selected chat or channel, you can configure deletion or hiding settings by tapping the gear icon on the right side of the screen:
- Delete from Companion. If you enable this option, entering the fake passcode will delete the conversation not only for you, but also for the other participant. This option is only available for private chats.
- Delete New Messages. After deleting a dialog with a user, any new incoming messages from that user will be automatically removed from your account (but not from the sender’s side). This setting applies to private chats and bots, but not to group chats or channels. Warning! If you enable this option for the Telegram service chat, new login codes will no longer appear in the app. This may alert an intruder to realise that the app has been modified if he try to log into your account on another device and notice that the authorization code does not arrive in the Telegram service chat on your phone.
- Delete All My Messages. If you enable this option, the app will automatically delete all of your messages in the chat before leaving it. If you haven't done this, an intruder could export your account data and still access your messages even after the account has left the chat. This option applies only to group chats, not private conversations or channels.
- Hide. Instead of deleting a chat or channel, you can hide it. Hidden chats will reappear once you log in with the real passcode. Important: We cannot guarantee that the hidden chat will disappear from every part of the app. In some places, it may still be visible. Whenever possible, we recommend deleting chats instead of hiding them.
Strict hiding reduces the chances of the hidden chat (or channel) being discovered, but it also makes the chat less convenient to use. For example, messages received while the chat was hidden may not appear after you enter the real passcode.
In this menu you can choose which sessions will be logged out automatically when the fake passcode is entered.
Select specific sessions, tap “Selected”, and decide what should happen in an emergency: log them out or keep them active (and log out all others).
When you enable this option, the app hides the selected sessions from Privacy and Security → Devices after you enter the fake passcode.
Select the sessions you want, tap “Selected”, and choose whether to hide them or leave them visible (and hide all others).
When you enter a fake passcode, the app deletes all contacts saved in your account.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app removes all installed sticker packs.
When you enable this option and enter the fake passcode, the app clears your search history, including all keywords you’ve entered in the search bar.
When you enable this option and enter the fake passcode, the app clears the Blocked Users's list in the "Privacy and Security" menu.
When you enter the fake passcode, the app automatically hides the Saved Channels button, regardless of your settings. Enable this option, if you also want to clear the saved channels list — so no one can see which channels you saved even after entering the real passcode.
A draft is the text you type in a chat before sending it. If you don’t send a message, you can come back and continue editing it later.
When you enable Clear Drafts and enter the fake passcode, the app clears all drafts.
Enable this option if you want the app to log out of the selected account automatically when you enter the fake passcode.
This feature will not remain enabled after logging back in! If you log out (either manually or via a fake passcode) and then log back in, you will need to enable this option and other passcode settings again.
Starting from version 2.19.19, the app preserves all passcode settings after logout. See Restoring fake passcode settings after logout for details.
Enable this option if you want the app to automatically hide the selected account when you enter the fake passcode. The app will also stop sending notifications from that hidden profile.
In the official Telegram app, you can keep up to 3 accounts logged in at the same time (or up to 4 for Premium). PTelegram lets you keep up to 30 accounts logged in at the same time. However, when you enter a fake passcode, the app reverts to the original Telegram limits and automatically hides any accounts beyond this limit. You can choose accounts the app should hide automatically.
The app won’t let you hide all accounts or keep more than 3 accounts visible (4 for Premium).
Strict hiding reduces the chance that someone will discover the hidden account, but it also makes it less convenient to use. For example, after you enter the real passcode, the app may not show messages that arrived while the account was hidden.
This setting is not fully secure! The app cannot guarantee that it will hide the account everywhere. Someone may still notice it in certain parts of the interface. Whenever possible, use logout instead of hiding.
If the option is activated, entering a fake passcode will log you out of Telegram on the selected devices.
The "Selected" option allows you to select specific sessions to end. If new sessions added before the fake passcode is entered, they will not end. The "Except selected" option allows you to select exception sessions that will not end. All other sessions will end when a fake passcode is entered. Including those that will be added after setting up a fake passcode.
Dangerous. If you do not have access to the phone number to which the account is registered, ending all sessions may result in the loss of access to the account.
If the option is enabled, if you enter a fake passcode, the selected sessions will not be displayed on the device from which the passcode was entered.
The "Selected" option allows you to select specific sessions to hide. If new sessions added before the fake passcode is entered, they will not be hidden. The "Except selected" option allows you to select exception sessions that will not be hidden. All other sessions will be hidden if you enter a fake passcode. Including those that will be added after setting up a fake passcode.
When you enter a fake passcode, the saved channels buttons are hidden. If it is necessary to clear the list of stored channels use the appropriate action. in this case, even after entering the real passcode, it will not be possible to know which channels have been saved.
If you log out of an account (either manually or by triggering the fake passcode), the app keeps that account’s fake passcode settings. In the passcode settings, it will label such a profile as a “Left Account.” When you log back in, the app restores all fake passcode settings for that account.
If you want to remove those settings, tap “Left Account” and confirm deletion. The app will remove that account from the list.
If you enable “Clear Passcode Settings After Activation” together with “Log out” of account in a fake passcode configuration, the app will delete all settings for that account and won’t create a “Left Account” entry.
The main difference between PTelegram and the official Telegram app is the ability to create and configure fake passcodes for different scenarios (especially emergency situations). In addition, the app includes other features that improve security and usability. You can enable or disable them in Partisan Settings.
PTelegram notifies you about certain security issues related to your account and the app. Once a month, the app runs a check and, if it finds any issues, prompts you to review them in the Settings screen.
The app checks for the following issues:
- the device has root access;
- enabled debugging via USB;
- disabled cloud password for your account;
- low privacy settings.
If the app detects any issues, it adds a new “Security Issues” section in Settings with a “View Issues” button.
You can also open this list from Privacy and Security → Security Issues.
As you fix issues, the app removes them from the list.
You can ignore any issue by tapping the ✕ next to it in the "Security Issues" section. After that, the app stops showing that issue in the list. If you dismiss all issues, the prompt in Settings will disappear. To restore the full list, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the "Security Issues" screen and select “Restore Ignored Issues.”
This list highlights potential weaknesses — it does not guarantee your safety. Even if the list is empty, you should still review your security setup by yourself.
Partisan Settings let you enable or disable additional app features. You can find them in the "Passcode Lock" menu.
After you toggle certain options, you may need to reopen the affected screen for the changes to take effect.
When you disable some features — such as Avatar Disabling, Chat Renaming or Saved Channels — the app may prompt you to clear related data.
By default, the bottom of the Settings screen shows both the original app version and the PTelegram version.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app hides the PTelegram version. You can also disable version display entirely in Partisan Settings. In that case, the app will always show only the original Telegram version, regardless of which passcode you enter.
The app displays chat, user, and channel IDs on their profiles.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app hides these IDs. You can also disable them manually in Partisan Settings.
To rename a chat, open its info page, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select “Edit Chat Name.” The app applies the new name only to your account and only on this device.
This feature is not suitable for emergency situations! When you unlock the app with a fake passcode, it shows original chat and channel names. This means the feature won’t help if someone forces you to unlock your messenger. In such cases, use chat deletion or account logout instead. This feature only protects against casual observers.
You can disable chat renaming in Partisan Settings. This will reset all renamed chats.
To disable a chat avatar, open the chat’s info page, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select “Disable Avatar.” If a chat doesn’t have an avatar, this option won’t appear. After you disable it, the app replaces the avatar with a circle showing one or two letters from the chat name.
This feature is not suitable for emergency situations! When you unlock the app with a fake passcode, avatars remain visible. This means the feature won’t protect you if someone forces you to unlock your messenger. In such cases, use chat deletion or account logout instead. This feature only protects against casual onlookers (e.g., people nearby, coworkers, fellow travelers).
You can deactivate the avatar disable button in Partisan Settings. This will reset all disabled avatars.
To delete all your messages in a chat, open the chat (not its info page), tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, and select “Delete my messages.” Then confirm the action.
Note: You don’t have to delete everything. You can remove only messages that contain specific keywords or phrases. To do this, uncheck “Delete all my messages” and enter the keywords or phrases in the menu that appears.
You can disable the message deletion button in Partisan Settings.
PTelegram lets you send messages that automatically disappear after the recipient reads them (in the official Telegram app, this feature is only available in Secret Chats).
To use it, press and hold the send button. You’ll see the “Delete As Read” option. Select it and choose how long the app should wait after the message is read before deleting it.
Note: the sender’s app handles deletion (not Telegram’s servers). If you close the app that sent the message, it won’t delete the message automatically.
You can disable the self-destruct message option in Partisan Settings.
To read public channels (or chats) without subscribing, use the "Saved Channels" section in the menu (this feature does not exist in the official Telegram app). It lets you keep selected channels or chats handy without joining them.
To save channels or chats you’ve already joined, select them in your chat list and choose the corresponding menu option.
You can also save a channel directly from its page: tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select “Save.”
The app stores saved channels locally on your device and does not sync them across apps. It sorts them by the date of the latest message. You can also pin any number of channels and arrange them in any order.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app hides the "Saved Channels" section. You can also enable clearing the saved channels list for emergency situations. In that case, the app will permanently delete the list even after you enter the real passcode.
If you prefer, you can disable the "Saved Channels" section entirely in Partisan Settings.
Technical details. The app stores saved channels as a list of usernames. For example, the Cyber Partisans channel uses the username cpartisans_by, which appears in links like https://t.me/cpartisans_by and @cpartisans_by. Because of this, you can’t save private channels (those without usernames). If a channel changes its username or becomes private, the app removes it from the list.
You can disable reactions to posts and messages in Partisan Settings. The app will still display reactions that users added before you enabled this option.
By default, "Данное сообщение (материал) создано и (или) распространено иностранным средством массовой информации..." is cut out from the messages and posts of the Russian media. If necessary, this behavior can be disabled in Partisan Settings.
You can configure the app to minimize or close automatically when you lock your phone. This way, you don’t need to exit the app manually before locking the screen — just lock your phone, and PTelegram will handle the rest. If the application is minimized, the home screen will open after you unlock your phone, and you can find PTelegram in the recent apps list.
If you choose Close, the app shuts down completely and won’t appear in recent apps.
You can also enable cache clearing as part of this process. In that case, every time you lock your phone while the app is open, it will first clear the cache, then minimize or close, and only then lock the device. This may slightly delay how quickly the app closes or minimizes. If the app has accumulated a large cache, the first cleanup may take noticeably longer.
When you enable this option, the app automatically clears all drafts as soon as you lock your phone.
To avoid accidental calls during chats, you can disable the call button. The app hides it only in chat window — it still appears on the user’s profile page.
When you enter a fake passcode, the app shows the call button as it appears in the official Telegram app.
When you enable this option, the app automatically checks “Delete for everyone” (or “Also delete for...”) in the confirmation dialog whenever you delete messages or conversations.
By default, PTelegram mimics the official app downloaded from telegram.org, so it uses that version’s icons rather than the ones from Google Play.
If you want the app to look like the Google Play version, enable “Google Play App Icons” in Partisan Settings.