If your Telegram inbox is flooded with messages from strangers — spam, random promos, people you have never met — Telegram has a built-in way to make them think twice: charge them. With the “Messages for Stars” feature, available to Telegram Premium subscribers, you can set a price in Stars that anyone outside your contacts must pay before their message reaches you.
It works like a spam filter you get paid for. The sender pays the fee up front; if they don’t, the message never arrives. You keep 85% of every payment. Here is how to switch it on and set your price.
What you need before you start
You need three things: the latest version of the Telegram app, an active Telegram Premium subscription (the feature is exclusive to Premium users), and a price in mind. The price is yours to choose with a simple slider — high enough to discourage spam, but low enough that genuine people can still reach you.
How to turn on paid incoming messages
- Update Telegram to the latest version from the App Store. The feature rolled out in stages, so an older version may not show it.
- Make sure Telegram Premium is active on your account. You can subscribe from Settings > Telegram Premium. Without Premium, the option will not appear.
- Open Telegram and go to Settings.
- Tap Privacy and Security, then tap Messages.
- Turn on the Messages for Stars toggle.
- Set your price using the slider. Pick an amount that feels right — you can change it any time.
That is all there is to it. From now on, anyone who is not in your contacts must pay your Stars fee before their message is delivered. This covers direct messages from strangers, as well as messages from non-contacts in groups and comments on your channels. You receive 85% of the Stars each sender pays.
If it still doesn’t work
Do not see the “Messages for Stars” option? First, update the app — the feature only exists in recent versions. Second, confirm your Premium subscription is active; the toggle stays hidden for free accounts. If senders say they cannot pay, they need to buy Stars first (in Telegram, go to Settings > My Stars). Note that availability can vary by region and platform while Telegram finishes the rollout.
Frequently asked questions
Do my saved contacts have to pay to message me?
No. The fee applies only to people who are not in your contacts. Everyone in your contact list messages you exactly as before, free of charge.
What are Telegram Stars, and what can I do with the ones I earn?
Stars are Telegram’s in-app currency, used for paid messages, digital goods in bots and mini apps, and more. When someone pays to message you, 85% of the Stars land in your balance, and you can spend or convert them within Telegram’s ecosystem.
Conclusion
Paid incoming messages turn your inbox from an open door into a velvet rope: strangers can still reach you, but only if they value your attention enough to pay for it. Set your price and enjoy a quieter Telegram. You may also like our guides on how to set up message sync between iPhone and Mac, how to turn off all SharePlay features on iPhone, and how to verify a SIM card and avoid the cooling-off period.
Sources: Telegram, TechCrunch, 9to5Mac.
