Can't buy Stars in Telegram
Why Telegram won't let you buy Stars: App Store and Google Play payments, a declined card, a hidden top-up section. And how to buy Stars through a bot with crypto or a card instead.
Inside Telegram, Stars are sold through the app store: the App Store on iPhone and Google Play on Android. If the payment fails there, or the purchase option is missing, you can buy Stars another way — for example, in the Shiba Bank bot with crypto or a card. They arrive right on your Telegram account.
Why the purchase fails
- The app store won't take your card. Apple and Google accept only some cards and countries, so in some regions buying Stars inside the app is not possible.
- Your bank declined the payment. A bank may block foreign or digital payments — the error message after paying says so.
- There is no purchase option. In some countries Telegram does not show Star purchases at all.
- The app wasn't installed from a store. In Telegram builds not downloaded from the App Store or Google Play, built-in payments may work differently or not at all.
How buying works on each platform, and what the App Store and Google Play allow, is in buying Stars on iPhone and Android.
How to buy Stars when the app won't let you
- Open the Shiba Bank bot and tap “Buy Stars”.
- Choose how many — from 50 Stars.
- Choose who they are for: yourself or a friend, by @username.
- Choose where they go: to the Telegram account or to the wallet inside the bot.
- Pick a way to pay — the bot shows the exact amount before you pay.
- Pay: the bot checks the payment and sends the Stars.
Which way to pay
- Crypto — USDT or GRAM on TON and other coins, from any wallet: how to pay with crypto.
- Russian cards and SBP — in roubles, if your bank is Russian.
- Belarusian cards and ERIP — when BYN is your currency in the bot.
Every way to pay, by country, is in the guide on payment methods, and today's prices are on the Stars price and rate page.
To receive Stars on your Telegram account, the account needs a public username (@username). If you don't have one, set it in Telegram's settings or choose the wallet inside the bot instead.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no option to buy Stars in my Telegram?
In some countries Telegram does not show Star purchases. You can still buy Stars for your account through the bot — they appear on your balance just like Stars bought in the app.
Are these real Telegram Stars?
Yes. The bot buys Stars through Fragment, Telegram's own platform, and credits them to your account. They are the same Stars the app sells.
Can I buy fewer than 50 Stars?
No, the smallest purchase in the bot is 50 Stars.
How long do Stars take to arrive?
Usually about a minute after the payment is confirmed. If they haven't arrived, see what to do.
