When using Telegram, some users may suddenly see the system message: “Sorry, you can only send messages to mutual contacts at the moment.”
This means you are temporarily unable to send messages to strangers or users who are not mutual contacts. Many people think their account has been banned, but that’s not the case — this is a temporary restriction set by Telegram due to certain abnormal behaviors.
This article will explain the reasons behind this restriction and provide several effective solutions to help you restore normal use of Telegram as soon as possible.
I. Why Telegram Shows the “Mutual Contact Only” Restriction
Accounts usually face this restriction due to one or more of the following situations:
1. Account Settings
If the other user has set their privacy settings to “only contacts can message,” you may see this pop-up.
The only solution is to add the person’s contact information so you become mutual contacts.
2. System Restriction
This reason is relatively common. Telegram has strict mechanisms to detect spam or mass messaging. If your account frequently sends messages to strangers, adds too many friends, or promotes links in multiple groups within a short period, the system may automatically mark your account as suspicious and trigger the mutual contact restriction.
3. Account Abnormality
Another possible cause is that your account has been flagged by Telegram’s risk control system. This can happen for the following reasons:
- New accounts with abnormal activity — if a new account starts marketing right after registration, this is not considered normal usage and can easily trigger restrictions.
- Abnormal usage of old accounts — this often happens due to problematic IPs or unstable login environments.
II. How to Remove the Restriction
1. Contact the Telegram Bot
In the search bar, search for @SpamBot, find the official bot with the icon, then open the chat window.
- Type /start, and when the options appear, click “But I can’t message non-contacts!”.
- The bot will ask if you have violated any rules — select “No, I’ll never do any of this!”.
- If the bot asks for additional information, you can reply with: “I don’t know, but I am unable to send any message to anyone.”
Then the platform will review your case. Whether the restriction is successfully lifted depends on the result, so try sending a message later to check if it has been restored.
2. Check Account and Number Status
If the issue remains after contacting the bot, check your Telegram client and phone number status: Log in on both mobile and desktop to see if the same issue occurs. Also, make sure your phone number hasn’t been marked or reported. If your account was registered using a virtual number, it’s recommended to bind a real mobile number or a Google Voice number for long-term stability.
3. Optimize Account Behavior
For new accounts, it’s not recommended to start marketing immediately after registration. You should “warm up” the account for a while before using it for promotion. Avoid using third-party plugins. System restrictions are usually related to behavioral patterns. To let Telegram’s system identify you as a normal user, the following three actions are very important:
- Interact normally with mutual contacts (send messages, comment, join groups)
- Avoid adding too many friends or mass messaging in a short time
- Complete your profile (avatar, bio) to increase authenticity
4. Optimize Your Network Environment
Telegram has tightened its usage rules in recent years, especially regarding login environments. If your proxy has been shared or abused by others, it may easily lead to restrictions or even bans. It is recommended to use IPFoxy dedicated static residential proxy to maintain consistent IP addresses. Using the same region and type of IP for one account over time greatly reduces the chance of being flagged.
III. Summary
Telegram’s mutual contact restriction is actually easy to fix, but if ignored, it could cause more problems later. During use, remember to maintain a stable and clean network environment, control your operation frequency, and simulate natural social behaviors. By doing so, your account will soon return to normal.
