Paid messages on Telegram: how to send them and charge for them
How paid messages on Telegram work: why someone asks for Stars to message them, how to charge for messages with Premium, who doesn't pay, refunds, groups, channel messages and paid photos and videos.
On Telegram you can charge Stars for incoming messages. Whoever turns this on receives Stars for every message from people outside their contacts — it keeps spam out of their inbox. Groups can charge for messages too, channels can charge for direct messages, and in channels paid photos and videos open for Stars.
How to message someone who charges Stars
If a person charges for messages, the chat with them says how much one message costs. Before sending, Telegram asks you to confirm the payment and takes the Stars from your balance — for each message separately. If you don't have enough Stars, the app offers to buy them.
What one message costs
The recipient decides: they set the price in their settings, and Telegram sets the upper limit. The app shows the price before you send, and if the recipient has raised it, it tells you.
How to message without paying
- Wait for the person to message you first: people they message themselves don't pay.
- Ask them to add you to their contacts: contacts message without paying.
If the person replies, they may choose to return your Stars — it's up to them.
If instead of a price the chat says the person only accepts messages from contacts and Premium users, Stars won't help: only their contacts and Telegram Premium subscribers can message them.
How to charge Stars for messages
Charging for private messages is available to Telegram Premium subscribers.
- Open "Settings" → "Privacy and Security" → "Messages".
- Under "Who can send me messages?" choose "Charge for Messages".
- Set your price per message — below it Telegram shows how many Stars you will receive.
- In the exceptions, add people or entire groups who can message you without paying.
Your contacts and people you messaged first don't pay even without exceptions.
How many Stars you receive
You receive 85% of the Stars paid for each message — that's in the Telegram Stars terms. The Stars go to your "My Stars" balance: you can spend them on Telegram or withdraw them through Fragment 21 days after they arrive. Where to find your balance and history — in where to see your Telegram Stars balance.
How to stop charging one person and refund them
In the chat with someone who pays you, there's a line with the price and a "Remove Fee" button. Tap it, and the person can message you without paying; the same window lets you refund the Stars they have already paid. The full amount they sent is returned.
Paid messages in groups
A group owner can charge for messages if the feature is available to the group: "Permissions" → "Charge Stars for Messages", then "Set price per message". Regular members then pay for each message, while admins don't pay. The same can be turned on in a channel's discussion group — then comments are paid.
The Stars collect on the group's balance, shown in the group's profile. They can be withdrawn through Fragment 21 days after they arrive.
Direct messages to a channel
You can message a channel directly with the message button in the channel's bottom bar. The owner turns this on in "Channel Settings" → "Direct Messages" and can set a fee for each message: the channel receives 85% of the chosen fee.
Paid photos and videos
Channels can have paid posts: a photo or video opens only after paying Stars.
- To view one, tap "Unlock for …" and confirm the payment. The Stars go to the channel's balance, and you keep access to the post even if the author deletes it.
- To post one, a channel admin chooses "Make This Content Paid" when sending a photo or video and enters the unlock cost.
A paid post can't be opened without paying. Bots can send paid photos and videos too. How a channel owner withdraws the Stars — in Stars in a Telegram channel.
Where to get Stars to send a message
Stars for paid messages, reactions and paid posts can be bought in the Shiba Bank bot — for yourself or for a friend by @username. They arrive on the account through Fragment, usually within a minute.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Telegram ask for Stars to message someone?
That person charges Stars for messages: people outside their contacts pay for each message. Telegram shows the price before you send.
How can I message someone on Telegram without paying Stars?
Wait for them to message you first, or ask them to add you to their contacts — then you don't pay.
Can I get my Stars back for a message?
Only if the recipient returns them: in the chat with you they tap "Remove Fee" and refund the Stars. The full amount is returned.
Do I need Premium to charge Stars for messages?
For private messages, yes: only Telegram Premium subscribers can turn it on. In a group, the owner turns it on under "Permissions".
How many Stars does the recipient get?
85% of each payment. These Stars can be spent on Telegram or withdrawn through Fragment after 21 days.
How do I view a paid photo or video on Telegram?
Tap "Unlock for …" on the post and confirm the payment. A paid post doesn't open without paying.
