otlite · Phone
Install Telegram Phone Number Checker on Linux or macOS in one command
This Bellingcat tool checks, through your own Telegram login, whether a number or username has an account. For a match it returns the Telegram user ID, username, and display name, and can save the profile photo.
Telegram Phone Number Checker in three lines
pipx install otlite
otlite install telegram-phone-number-checker
otlite run telegram-phone-number-checker -- p:+15551234567Runs bellingcat/telegram-phone-number-checker (MIT, ★ 1.8k, otlite 1.2.1, catalog updated Oct 23, 2026). otlite installs and runs it at a tested version; it does not change or verify the tool itself.
What Telegram Phone Number Checker is for
- Checking whether a phone number from a case is registered on Telegram.
- Getting the stable numeric ID for a Telegram username.
- Batch checks with comma-separated numbers in one run.
Typed inputs for Telegram Phone Number Checker
otlite translates these prefixes into Telegram Phone Number Checker's own flags. Anything else after -- is passed through unchanged, so every original flag still works.
- p:
- Phone ·
otlite run telegram-phone-number-checker -- p:+15551234567 - u:
- Username ·
otlite run telegram-phone-number-checker -- u:jane_doe
Run every installed tool that takes the same input at once: otlite run --all p:+15551234567
Optional keys: API_ID, API_HASH, PHONE_NUMBER. Store each with otlite keys set NAME. otlite marks it dual-use, so it asks you to accept a responsible-use notice before it installs.
Where the results go
Every run lands under ./results/telegram-phone-number-checker/<target>/ as a timestamped output file, a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, start and end time, exit code, and the SHA-256 of the output), and a .envelope.json with the entities found, in the same shape for every tool. List runs with otlite results, group them with --case, compare the last two with otlite diff telegram-phone-number-checker <target>, and pull indicators out with otlite extract telegram-phone-number-checker.
Before you run it
- Needs your own Telegram API ID and hash from my.telegram.org plus your account's phone number (otlite keys set API_ID, API_HASH, PHONE_NUMBER) and a login code on first run. It is interactive, so otlite run --all and otlite auto skip it.
- Use a dedicated account, not your personal one. Telegram can restrict accounts that look up many numbers, and residential connections fare better than VPNs.
- No response means either no account or a user who hides their number from lookups. It is not proof the number is unused.
Update, remove, inspect
otlite info telegram-phone-number-checker # inputs, keys, an example command
otlite example telegram-phone-number-checker # sample output, where there is one
otlite update telegram-phone-number-checker # move to the next tested version
otlite remove telegram-phone-number-checker # delete its virtualenvFull reference: the otlite docs, and the tool's own README on GitHub.
Pairs with
When open-source isn't enough
The checker answers for Telegram only. SearchIn's phone providers return carrier and line type and the accounts registered to the number on other services.
FAQ
Telegram Phone Number Checker with otlite, answered
How do I install Telegram Phone Number Checker on Kali, Ubuntu, or macOS?
Install otlite once with pipx install otlite (or the one-line installer on the otlite page), run otlite init, then otlite install telegram-phone-number-checker. The tool lands in its own virtualenv under ~/.otlite/, pinned to a version that was tested, so nothing touches your system Python. otlite doctor prints the command that fixes a missing git or venv module.
Which inputs does Telegram Phone Number Checker take through otlite?
p: (phone), u: (username). otlite maps each prefix to Telegram Phone Number Checker's own flag. Everything after -- that is not a typed input is passed through unchanged, so the original flags still work.
Where does otlite save Telegram Phone Number Checker results?
Under ./results/telegram-phone-number-checker/<target>/ in the folder you run from, as a timestamped output file plus a .meta.json sidecar (the exact command, timing, exit code, and SHA-256) and a .envelope.json with the entities found. Add --case <name> to group runs, otlite results to list them, and otlite diff telegram-phone-number-checker <target> to compare the last two.
Does Telegram Phone Number Checker need an API key or a login?
Yes. Needs your own Telegram API ID and hash from my.telegram.org plus your account's phone number (otlite keys set API_ID, API_HASH, PHONE_NUMBER) and a login code on first run. It is interactive, so otlite run --all and otlite auto skip it. Keys go in with otlite keys set NAME, which stores them in ~/.otlite/.env with permissions 600, and otlite keys check verifies them.
Can I run Telegram Phone Number Checker together with other tools?
Yes. otlite run --all p:+15551234567 runs every installed tool that takes phone input, in parallel, including Telegram Phone Number Checker. Save the combination as a playbook to repeat it.