3 posts tagged with "troubleshooting"

1. What is Telegram?​

Telegram is a cross-platform instant messaging app, often referred to by Chinese users as “电报” or “Paper Plane.” It offers mobile apps (Android, iOS), desktop clients (Windows, macOS), and a web version. Users can send text, photos, videos, and other files, as well as enjoy features like encrypted chats and self-destructing messages to ensure privacy.

Thanks to its rich features and strong privacy protection, Telegram has become extremely popular worldwide — as of March 2025, it has over 1 billion monthly active users.

Telegram is known for its powerful and secure functionality. The interface is clean and user-friendly, supports multi-device sync, and emphasizes encrypted communication. It delivers messages quickly, has few limits on file size or message history, and supports supergroups of up to 200,000 members and channels with unlimited subscribers. As one of the first messengers to adopt end-to-end encryption, Telegram uses multi-layered encryption to protect chat logs, files, and user information — even from hackers or government surveillance.

💡 For more details, check out our article: What is Telegram and What Can It Do (2025 Guide)

2. What You Need to Prepare​

Since Telegram is blocked in mainland China, some preparation is required before registering:

1. Use a VPN to Access Telegram​

Telegram's servers are overseas, and cannot be accessed directly in China. You will need a VPN or proxy tool to bypass this restriction. We recommend using Clash Verge with reliable proxy nodes (full setup tutorial here: How to Use a VPN to Bypass the Great Firewall (2025 Guide)).

Make sure your internet connection is stable and that you can access the Telegram website or services. Otherwise, registration won’t work.

2. Install the Telegram App​

Install the Telegram client on your device. Choose the right method depending on your device (detailed installation guide here: How to Download the Telegram App (2025 Guide)):

• For Android:

  • Recommended: Download from Google Play Store
  • If Google services are unavailable, download the APK directly from the official Telegram site

• For iOS:

  • Search for "Telegram Messenger" in the App Store
  • If Telegram doesn’t appear in the China App Store, switch to a non-mainland Apple ID (how-to guide: Register a US Apple ID (2025 Guide))

• For Windows/Mac:

  • Go to the Telegram official website and download the desktop version for your OS
  • Windows users can also use Microsoft Store
  • Mac users can try the Mac App Store (if not available, download from Telegram's website)

3. How to Register a Telegram Account​

Once setup is complete, follow these steps to create your Telegram account:

1. Open the App and Start:

   • Launch Telegram
   • Tap “Start Messaging” on the welcome screen to begin

2. Select Country and Enter Phone Number:

   • Choose “China +86” as your region
   • Enter your phone number

3. Receive Verification Code:

   • After confirming, Telegram will send a code via SMS
   • Check your messages

4. Enter the Code:

   • Enter the code in the app to verify your phone number

5. Set Up Your Profile:

   • Fill in your name (display name)
   • Optionally, upload a profile picture (you can skip and do this later)

6. Finish Registration:

   • After submitting your info, your account is created
   • You’ll see a welcome message from Telegram with basic usage tips
   • You can now start adding contacts or joining channels

⚠️ Note: Never share your verification code with anyone to avoid being scammed.

💡 More detailed steps here: How to Register and Log Into Telegram (2025 Guide)

4. What to Do if You Don’t Receive the Code​

If you don’t get the SMS code during registration, here are possible reasons and solutions:

1. Incorrect Phone Number​

Issue: The number or country code may be wrong.

Solution: Double-check your phone number and country code. Go back and fix it if needed.

2. SMS Blocked or Delayed​

Issue: In China, international SMS may be blocked or delayed.

Solution:

• Wait a few minutes
• Tap “Resend Code” to try again
• Try using the voice call option to receive the code

3. Inbox Full or Poor Signal​

Issue: A full inbox or bad signal may prevent delivery.

Solution: Clear old SMS, ensure good reception, and try again.

4. Too Many Requests​

Issue: If you request codes too often, Telegram may temporarily block further attempts.

Solution: Wait a few hours and try again. Or use another phone number.

💡 After successful registration, go to the next step and enable two-step verification to avoid login issues if you ever lose access to your phone. More on this: SMS Verification Issues (2025 Guide)

5. Post-Registration: Security Settings & Usage Tips​

Before using Telegram fully, we recommend completing the following setup for better security and usability:

1. Enable Two-Step Verification​

Why: Adds an extra layer of password protection. Even if someone gets your SMS code, they can’t log in without your two-step password.

How:

• Go to “Settings” → “Privacy & Security”
• Tap “Two-Step Verification”
• Set a password and add a recovery email

💡 Once enabled, logging in on a new device will require both the SMS code and this password.

2. Install the Chinese Language Pack​

Why: Telegram doesn’t officially support Simplified Chinese, but you can apply a user-made language pack.

How: Tap the language pack link and Telegram will switch the interface language to Chinese (we’ll provide a tutorial with the link soon).

💡 This makes it easier to use the app if you prefer Chinese menus and settings.

3. Add Contacts and Join Channels​

To add contacts:

• Let Telegram access your phone contacts to sync friends
• Or search by username (tap the search icon, enter username)

To join groups/channels:

• Use the search bar to find public groups/channels by keyword
• Join via shared invite links

💡 Channels are great for following news and info, while groups are perfect for chatting and discussions (we’ll cover how to search and join in another guide).

4. Basic Usage Tips​

• Message actions:

  • Long press to reply
  • Use @ to tag someone in a group

• Sending content:

  • Use emojis, stickers, GIFs to enhance chats

• Customize your experience:

  • Change notifications, themes, and chat backgrounds in Settings

💡 Telegram supports full multi-device sync — you can use it on your phone and computer at the same time with real-time updates.

💡 Telegram supports full cross-platform sync — use it on both mobile and desktop simultaneously with synchronized chat history.

slug: /setup-vpn title: '2025 Complete Guide: How to Use a VPN to Bypass the Great Firewall' authors: Aston tags: [telegram, registration, verification code, phone number, VPN, network issues, troubleshooting]​

Due to well-known reasons, the internet in mainland China is isolated from the global internet. To access external websites like Google Search, YouTube, or Telegram, users need to use tools for “internet freedom,” commonly known as VPNs.

In essence, VPNs work by routing your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote server outside of China, effectively bypassing local firewalls and censorship.

1. Preparation: Get the Clash Verge App and Node Subscription​

Before you can access the open internet, you need to do two things: download and install the Clash Verge client, and obtain a working node subscription (URL).

Download Clash Verge​

Clash Verge is a cross-platform proxy tool available for Windows and macOS. (Mobile users should use related Clash apps.) Download the latest version from the official Clash Verge website.

• Windows users should download the .exe or .msi installer and follow the setup instructions.
• Mac users should download the .dmg file corresponding to their CPU architecture (Intel or Apple Silicon), then drag the app to the Applications folder.

Once installed, you may want to change the interface language to Chinese via the settings menu (as the default may be English).

Get a Node Subscription Link​

A "node" is a proxy server used to reroute your traffic. These are usually provided by subscription-based VPN services (commonly known in China as “airports”). After purchasing a plan, you’ll receive a subscription URL, which you can find in your service provider’s user dashboard.

While free nodes exist and can be found by searching "Clash free node subscription", they tend to be slow or unstable. (As the saying goes: “Nothing is truly free.”) Once you have your subscription link, copy the URL — it usually starts with http:// or https://.

Tip: A subscription URL is like a master list of available nodes. Importing it into Clash Verge will automatically fetch and update all available servers — no need to add them manually.

Once you’ve completed these steps, continue with the setup for your device.

Personal note: I'm currently using the provider Liuliangguang, which costs around ¥50/year and gives 150GB/month — more than enough for everyday use. (Not a paid promotion!)

2. Use Clash Verge on Windows or Mac​

The interface and usage on Windows and macOS are mostly the same. Here we’ll use Windows as an example (Mac users can follow similar steps).

Step 1: Install Clash Verge​

Follow the steps from the previous section to install Clash Verge. If prompted by a firewall on first launch, allow the app to access the network.

Open the app and go to the Config tab on the left. Paste the subscription URL into the input box and click Import. If successful, you’ll see a list of imported nodes within seconds.

Step 2: Choose a Proxy Node​

Next, go to the Proxy tab. You’ll see a list of proxy nodes, usually grouped by country or line type (e.g., US, Japan, Singapore).

Click to select a node with low latency for better performance.

Once selected, the node will be marked as active. But your system traffic isn’t going through the proxy just yet — you still need to enable system proxy.

Step 3: Enable System Proxy and Choose Mode​

In the Settings tab, find the System Proxy option and turn it on (you may need admin rights on Windows). This routes your system traffic through Clash Verge.

Choose a proxy mode:

• Rule Mode (recommended): Only censored websites go through the proxy, e.g., Google is proxied, but Baidu is not.
• Global Mode: All traffic goes through the proxy.
• Direct Mode: No proxy at all.

Step 4: Test and Browse​

With everything configured, try visiting blocked websites like Google or YouTube. If they load, congratulations — you’re now connected to the open internet!

For your first time, try using an Incognito/Private tab to avoid issues with browser cache or extensions. Going forward, just make sure:

• Clash Verge is running
• System Proxy is on
• A valid node is selected

3. Use Clash on Android (Clash Meta)​

Android doesn’t support Clash Verge, but you can use Clash Meta for Android instead.

Step 1: Install Clash Meta​

Download the APK from the official GitHub or website. Enable "Install unknown apps" in system settings. Open the APK and install it. Grant necessary permissions.

Step 2: Import Subscription​

On first launch, go to the Config or Subscription section and paste your subscription URL. Confirm to import. If successful, node list will appear.

Step 3: Connect​

Pick a node with low latency. Click the start button (usually a switch). Android will prompt for VPN permission — allow it.

You’ll see a key icon in your status bar indicating VPN is active. Visit Google or other blocked sites to test.

By default, Clash Meta uses Rule Mode. You can change to Global Mode if needed.

4. Use Clash-Compatible Apps on iOS (Stash / Shadowrocket)​

Clash Verge isn’t available on iOS due to App Store policies. Instead, use Stash or Shadowrocket (both paid apps). Shadowrocket is no longer available in China App Store; Stash is available in the US App Store.

Step 1: Install Stash​

Log in to a US App Store account. Search and purchase “Stash” (~$3.99). Install and allow VPN access.

Step 2: Import Subscription​

In Stash, find the option to add a subscription. Paste the URL or scan a QR code (generate one from your PC if needed). After adding, Stash will sync your nodes.

Step 3: Connect and Test​

Choose a node from the list and start the VPN. A “connected” status will appear. Visit YouTube or Google to confirm success. In future, just open Stash and toggle the VPN switch.

Shadowrocket works similarly — import your subscription and enable proxy.

5. Common Questions (FAQ)​

Q: Clash Verge won’t start after installation?​

A: On Windows, make sure WebView2 is installed (built-in on Win10+, required for older versions). On Mac, if you get a “damaged app” error, run:

sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/Clash\ Verge.app

Q: No nodes appear after import?​

A: Check if your subscription URL is valid and correctly formatted. Try pasting it into a browser to verify.

Q: Connected but still can’t access blocked sites?​

A: Make sure System Proxy is on (for desktop) or VPN is active (for mobile). Try switching nodes or setting to Global Mode.

Q: How to download Stash/Shadowrocket without a US Apple ID?​

A: Register a US Apple ID without a payment method, then use it to download the app. You can also ask a friend with Family Sharing to share the app with you. Guide to get a US Apple ID.

In recent years, many users have reported issues receiving verification codes when registering for Telegram with a mainland China phone number. This issue can occur for several reasons:

• Due to the unique network environment in China, the Great Firewall (GFW) blocks Telegram. As a result, users in mainland China cannot directly access, download, register, or use Telegram.
• If your internet connection is unstable, or the VPN you're using does not support Telegram registration (or its nodes are unstable), it may affect the delivery of the verification code.
• Some telecom providers block international SMS or specifically filter messages from Telegram.
• Because some users in China have used Telegram for illegal activities in the past, Telegram has restricted certain +86 phone numbers from registering or logging in. These are the main reasons why verification codes may not be received on Chinese phone numbers. Solutions to Try: If you’re experiencing this issue, here are some possible solutions:
• Use a more reliable VPN: Most Chinese-made VPN tools are not suitable for registering Telegram. Try using a trusted international VPN like ExpressVPN.
• Switch to a different VPN node: Choose a stable and fast server location, such as the U.S., Hong Kong, or Singapore.
• Restart your device and VPN software: A simple reboot can often fix common issues with connectivity and app performance.
• Check SMS filtering settings: Ensure that your phone’s SMS filter is turned off, or add Telegram to the whitelist to avoid blocking messages.
• Contact Telegram support: If none of the above methods work, you can reach out to Telegram’s customer support, explain your situation, and request assistance.