Connect a Telegram channel or group

PilotPost posts to Telegram through your own bot. You create the bot for free in Telegram and add it to your channel. You can remove it whenever you like.

Step 1: Create a bot

1. In Telegram, search for @BotFather. Look for the blue tick: it's the official one.
2. Send /newbot.
3. Choose a display name (for example "PilotPost for My Brand") and a username ending in bot (for example mybrand_post_bot).
4. BotFather replies with a token that looks like 123456789:AAH…. Copy it and keep it private.

Step 2: Add the bot to your channel

1. Open your channel → Edit (or the channel name) → Administrators → Add Admin.
2. Search for your bot's username and add it.
3. Make sure Post messages is turned on, then save.

For a group, add the bot as a member and make it an admin.

Step 3: Connect in PilotPost

1. On the Accounts page, click Connect Telegram.
2. Fill in:
   • Bot token: the token from BotFather.
   • Channel or group: @yourchannel, a t.me/yourchannel link, or for private channels a numeric chat ID starting with -100.
3. Click Connect.

Limits

• Up to 4,096 characters.
• Up to 10 images or videos per post.

Troubleshooting

• "Chat not found": check the channel username, or that the bot was added to the channel.
• "Not enough rights": the bot must be an admin with permission to post.