How to create a Telegram group with custom admin permissions step by step?

Introduction: Why Custom Admin Permissions Matter

Running a large Telegram group comes with real headaches: spam control, content moderation, member management. Without a proper permission system, either you do everything yourself or you hand over full control to multiple people, risking chaos. This is where custom admin permissions become indispensable. They let you assign granular roles—one person only deletes messages, another only manages invitations, a third handles bans—without giving away the keys to the kingdom. In this guide, we walk through creating a new group and setting up these permissions on Android, iOS, and desktop, covering edge cases, trade-offs, and best practices for 2026. The goal is to help you build a scalable moderation team while keeping your group secure and well-organized.

Feature Positioning & Evolution

Telegram’s admin system has matured significantly since groups first appeared. Originally, groups were basic; only the creator could manage members. With the introduction of supergroups (which support up to 200,000 members), administrators gained fine-grained control. As of 2026, you can assign up to seven distinct permissions per admin: change group info, post messages, edit messages, delete messages, ban users, invite users, pin messages, and add new admins. This evolution reflects Telegram’s commitment to balancing flexibility with security for large communities.

It’s important to distinguish between groups and channels: channels behave differently—custom admin permissions there focus on posting and managing comments. This article exclusively covers group administration. Also note that a group must be a supergroup to support custom admin permissions; basic groups (limited to 200 members) cannot have fine-grained roles. The conversion from basic to supergroup happens automatically when the group reaches a certain size or is explicitly upgraded via settings (described below). Understanding this distinction is the first step toward effective permission management.

What Custom Admin Permissions Include

When you promote a member to admin, you can toggle each permission on or off individually. The current list (based on Telegram v10.x as of this writing) covers:

Change group info (name, photo, description)
Post messages (in groups, all members can post; this permission only matters for channels, but in groups it disables the ability to write if toggled off?) – Actually in groups, posting is allowed by default for everyone; turning off this permission for an admin only affects the admin’s own ability to write messages. This is a common misunderstanding: disabling “post messages” for an admin does not prevent other members from posting.
Edit messages (own and others’ messages; note that editing others’ messages is only possible if the admin also has permission to delete messages)
Delete messages (any member’s message)
Ban users (also includes restricting users)
Invite users (via link or direct invite)
Pin messages
Add new admins (a dangerous permission; delegates ability to appoint other admins, but cannot override owner’s authority)

Each permission is independent, so you can mix and match to create precise roles. For example, a “content moderator” might have only delete and ban permissions, while a “community manager” might have invite, pin, and change info. The flexibility is designed to accommodate diverse group structures and moderation needs.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the steps, ensure you meet these criteria. Skipping any of these may lead to errors or missing features:

You are the group owner (the person who created the group; ownership is not transferable natively).
The group is a supergroup. If it’s still a basic group (up to 200 members), you must upgrade it first. Upgrading is irreversible: the group ID changes, some bots may break, and the chat history is preserved.
You have the latest version of Telegram installed on your device. As of 2026, most features are available across all platforms, but UI paths may differ slightly.

Once these conditions are met, you’re ready to set up custom admin permissions. If you’re unsure about the group type, check the group info page—it will clearly state “Basic group” or “Supergroup”.

Step-by-Step: Creating a New Group with Custom Admin Permissions

Creating the Group (All Platforms)

The initial creation process is the same regardless of platform, but we highlight differences where they exist. This step ensures your group is ready for advanced permission management.

Open Telegram and tap the pencil icon (or folder icon on desktop) to start a new message.
Select New Group.
Choose at least one member from your contacts (you need at least one other person to create a group). After creation, you can remove them if you want a one-admin group.
Set a group name, photo, and description. Tap Create.

Your new group starts as a basic group if it has fewer than 200 members. To enable custom admin permissions, it must become a supergroup. You can manually upgrade it by going to the group’s info page → “Group type” → “Upgrade to supergroup”. (On Android: tap three dots → “Info” → “Upgrade group”. On iOS: tap group name → “Group type” → “Upgrade”. On desktop: click three dots → “Info” → “Upgrade to supergroup”.)

Once upgraded, the group will show “Supergroup” in its description area. You can now assign custom admin permissions. Note that the upgrade is irreversible, so consider the implications before proceeding.

Adding Admins and Setting Custom Permissions

Now that you have a supergroup, follow these steps to promote members and configure their permissions. The exact sequence varies slightly by platform, but the core logic remains the same.

On Android

Open the group and tap the group name at the top.
Scroll down to Administrators and tap it.
Tap Add Admin at the bottom.
Select the member you want to designate. By default, all permissions are enabled. Toggle each permission you wish to grant or revoke.
Optionally, enable Remain anonymous if you want the admin to appear only as “Admin” in messages. (This setting applies globally to the admin for all their actions in that group.)
Tap the checkmark (✓) to confirm.

On iOS

Open the group and tap the group name at the top.
Tap Administrators.
Tap Add Admin.
Choose the member. Permissions are toggled on individually; the screen looks similar to Android.
Enable Anonymous if needed.
Tap Save.

On Desktop (Windows / macOS / Linux)

Open the group and click the three dots (⋮) next to the search bar.
Select Info.
Click Administrators.
Click Add Admin.
Select a member. A permission window opens. You can toggle each permission, and also set a custom title that appears instead of “admin” (e.g., “Moderator”).
Check Anonymous if desired.
Click Save.

After these steps, the member appears in the administrators list with the permissions you set. They do not receive a notification unless the group has less than 50 members; otherwise, they are silently added as admin. This silent addition helps avoid unnecessary notifications in large groups.

Modifying Permissions for Existing Admins

To adjust an admin’s permissions later, go to the same Administrators list, tap the admin’s name, and toggle permissions on or off. Changes take effect immediately, so you can respond quickly to evolving needs. You can also remove an admin entirely by tapping “Dismiss Admin” at the bottom of their profile (a confirmation prompt appears). This action demotes them to a regular member with no special privileges.

Exceptions & Trade-offs

Permission Limitations You Should Know

While custom admin permissions are powerful, they have boundaries. Most notably, Telegram’s permission model is per-admin, not per-member. You cannot restrict a specific regular member from, say, sending messages while allowing others, unless you use slow mode or restrict the entire group. For individual member restrictions, you must manually mute or ban them—there is no native group-wide whitelist/blacklist.

Another limitation: the “Add new admins” permission is all-or-nothing. If you grant it to an admin, they can promote other members to admins with any permissions they themselves have (except the ability to add newer admins if you didn’t grant that, but Telegram doesn’t support permission hierarchies beyond that). This can lead to admin escalation if not carefully managed. Therefore, it’s wise to reserve this permission for the owner or a single trusted senior admin.

Anonymous Admin: Use Cases and Drawbacks

Enabling anonymous admin hides the admin’s identity when they post or perform actions in the group. This is useful for neutral moderation but can create trust issues among members. Also, anonymous admins cannot be identified from message history, which complicates auditing. If you need accountability, avoid this feature. It’s worth noting that even anonymous admins appear with their names in the admin list; only public-facing posts are anonymized. Use this feature sparingly, perhaps only for specific moderation actions like removing spam where personal identity is irrelevant.

Admin Conflicts and Mitigation

If multiple admins have overlapping permissions (e.g., two people can delete messages), conflicts rarely occur because actions are independent. However, one admin can undo another’s work (e.g., one deletes a message, another restores it? Telegram does not have a trash/recovery feature). To avoid chaos, clearly define roles and communicate them off-platform. There is no built-in log of admin actions (except for some third-party bots that log deletions). A simple coordination tool like a shared document can prevent misunderstandings.

Integration with Bots and Third-Party Tools

Adding a Bot as Admin with Custom Permissions

Bots can be powerful assistants for moderation, welcome messages, and anti-spam. To add a bot as an admin: first invite the bot to the group (use its username like @MyBot). Then, go to the Administrators list and tap “Add Admin”, type the bot’s name (you may need to search). If the bot requires certain capabilities (e.g., delete messages, ban users), you must enable those specific permissions. Many bots require admin status to function fully. Always apply the principle of least privilege: only grant permissions the bot explicitly needs. For example, a welcome bot does not need the ability to ban users.

Note that bots cannot be made anonymous; they always appear with their bot name. Also, a bot cannot be removed from the admin list without first kicking it from the group, which may break your automated workflows. Plan your bot integrations carefully to avoid downtime.

Using @BotFather to Create a Bot with Restricted Permissions

If you are developing a custom bot, you can use BotFather to set default permissions for the bot when it joins groups. This is done via the /setjoingroups command and then selecting the bot and enabling “Group admin” with specific flags. However, this only sets the initial permissions request; the actual permissions granted when a user adds the bot to a group depend on what the user allows. For most users, it’s easier to manually configure permissions after adding the bot. This approach gives you full control over the bot’s capabilities in each group.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Cannot See “Add Admin” Button

Symptom: The Administrators section does not show an “Add Admin” option, or it is grayed out.
Likely cause: You are not the group owner. Only the creator of the group can add admins. If you were added as an admin by someone else, you cannot promote others unless they gave you the “Add new admins” permission. Check your own admin permissions in the admin list.
Verification: Go to the group info → Administrators. If your name appears at the top with “owner” tag, you’re the owner. Otherwise, you’re an admin.
Resolution: Ask the owner to grant you the necessary permission or to add the admin themselves.

Permission Options Are Grayed Out or Missing

Symptom: When adding an admin, all permission toggles are locked (e.g., cannot disable “Post messages”).
Likely cause: The group is still a basic group, not a supergroup. Basic groups do not support granular permissions.
Verification: Check if the group shows “Basic group” or “Supergroup” in the info panel.
Resolution: Upgrade to supergroup as described earlier. Note that upgrading is irreversible—after conversion, you cannot revert to a basic group.

Removed Admin Still Appears in Admin List?

Symptom: You dismissed an admin, but they still appear occasionally in the admin list.
Possible cause: Glitch or cached data. Try pulling to refresh or force-closing the app. If the problem persists, ask the user to leave and rejoin the group, then remove them again. This is rare and likely a temporary caching issue.

Applicable & Non-applicable Scenario Checklist

When to Use Custom Admin Permissions

Large communities (>500 members): Multiple moderators with distinct roles reduce workload and risk.
Content-specific moderation: For example, one admin handles spam (ban/delete), another handles welcome messages (pin/invite).
Non-profit or educational groups: Different teachers/volunteers need different access levels.
Groups with strict compliance requirements: You can limit who can change group info or add new admins.

These scenarios benefit from the granular control that custom permissions provide, helping you maintain order without overburdening a single person.

When Not to Use Custom Admin Permissions

Very small private groups (under 10 people): The administrative overhead of managing permissions may not be justified. You can just trust everyone.
Groups that rely heavily on bots for moderation: If bots do all the heavy lifting, giving humans admin permissions might interfere. Keep bot permissions minimal and consider using a bot as the sole admin with restricted capabilities.
When you need per-member restrictions: Telegram’s custom admin permissions do not allow you to limit what regular members can do on an individual basis. For that, you would need to mute or ban them, which is a crude approach.
When ownership is shared: Telegram does not support multiple owners. If you need co-ownership, consider creating a separate account or using a bot as a multi-admin management tool (though this is a workaround, not a built-in feature).

In these cases, the complexity of custom permissions may outweigh the benefits, and simpler group management strategies might be more effective.

Best Practices Checklist

Grant minimum permissions – Only enable what each admin truly needs for their role. Review every 3–6 months.
Use admin titles – On desktop, you can assign a custom title (e.g., “Content Moderator”, “Community Manager”) that appears next to messages. This helps members understand who is who.
Document roles offline – Maintain a simple spreadsheet of which permissions each admin has. This prevents confusion when someone leaves or permissions need adjustment.
Avoid giving “Add new admins” lightly – This permission can lead to admin chain expansion. Reserve it for a trusted senior admin or the owner only.
Enable “Admin anonymous” only when necessary – Balance transparency with safety. For moderation actions where identity doesn’t matter (like removing spam), anonymity can protect admins from harassment.
Test permissions – After assigning permissions, ask the new admin to try specific actions (like pinning a message) to ensure they work as intended.
Regularly audit admin list – Remove inactive admins or adjust permissions when responsibilities change.

Following these practices will help you maintain a secure and efficient moderation team, reducing the risk of permission misuse or oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give an admin only the ability to delete messages and nothing else?

Yes. When adding an admin, toggle off all permissions except “Delete messages”. The admin will be able to delete any message in the group, but cannot change info, ban, invite, pin, or perform other actions. Note that in Telegram, the “Edit messages” permission is tied to deletion; you can also disable editing if you want. This is a common scenario for spam cleaners.

How many admins can a supergroup have?

Telegram does not document a hard limit on the number of admins. Empirical observation from various large groups suggests that up to hundreds of admins work fine, but performance may degrade if you have thousands. For practical purposes, keep the admin group manageable (tens, not hundreds) to avoid confusion and notification spam.

Can I remove an admin’s permissions without removing them from the group?

Yes. Go to Administrators, tap the admin’s name, and toggle off all permissions. The user will remain a regular member. However, you cannot demote them to “regular member” from that screen explicitly – that only happens by dismissing them as admin, which removes all permissions. The distinction is important: dismissing removes the admin badge entirely; toggling off permissions keeps them as a powerless admin (they still have the crown icon, but no privileges). To fully demote, use “Dismiss Admin”.

Does granting “Add new admins” allow the admin to also add new admins with the same permissions?

Yes. If you give an admin the permission to add new admins, they can add other members with the same set of permissions they have (except they cannot grant “Add new admins” to others unless you also gave them that permission? Actually, if you gave them “Add new admins”, they themselves have it, so they can turn it on for others. It is a recursive permission. Therefore, use it sparingly and only with trusted admins.

What happens to admin permissions if the group owner leaves?

If the group owner leaves, the group does not automatically transfer ownership. As of 2026, Telegram does not support transferring group ownership natively. The owner account must remain active; if deleted, the group loses its owner and effectively becomes unmoderated. No one else can modify group info or add admins. This is a critical risk: ensure the owner account is secured and not abandoned.

Risks & Boundaries

While custom admin permissions solve many problems, they are not a complete security solution. Administrators with “Delete messages” can abuse their power to remove messages arbitrarily; there is no appeal mechanism. Anonymous admins can act without accountability. Furthermore, if an admin’s account gets hijacked, a restricted admin still poses less risk than a full admin, but they could still spam or harm the community. Always pair permission delegation with strong authentication (two-factor verification and login codes).

Another boundary: bots can have permissions too, but they are not subject to the same human limitations. A malicious or poorly coded bot with admin rights can cause significant damage. Vet third-party bots carefully, and revoke permissions if you suspect malicious behavior. Regularly review bot permissions as part of your overall security audit.

Conclusion

Custom admin permissions give you granular control over your Telegram group, allowing you to scale moderation efforts without sacrificing safety. The process is straightforward: convert to a supergroup, add admins, and toggle permissions per role. Remember the trade-offs: permission granularity is admin-centric, not member-centric; anonymous admin has pros and cons; and “Add new admins” can cascade. By following the best practices outlined here and documenting your permission scheme, you can maintain a healthy, well-moderated community. For future-proofing, keep an eye on Telegram updates, as the platform occasionally introduces new capabilities (like the recently added “Quick ban” button in some versions). Start by reviewing your current group’s admin list and adjusting permissions to match actual roles. You’ll find that a little upfront configuration saves hours of headache later, and your community will thank you for the clear, orderly environment.