Bot Can't See Telegram Channel — What to Do?
Channel not showing up in the list? We cover all causes and solutions — from checking permissions to manual discovery via message forwarding.
How to set up
Check bot permissions
Make sure @crosslybot is added to the channel as an administrator, not just a member. The bot needs permissions to publish and edit messages. Without admin rights, the channel won't appear in the list.
Wait 1-2 minutes
After adding the bot as administrator, it may take some time for the Telegram API to return updated information. Usually 1-2 minutes is enough.
Click 'Refresh'
Open the Crosslybot app → 'Telegram Channels' section → click the 'Refresh' button. The bot will re-check all channels where it's an administrator.
Forward a message from the channel
If the channel still doesn't appear — open the channel, take any message and forward it to @crosslybot in a direct message. The bot will automatically detect the channel, verify permissions, and add it to your list.
Contact support
If nothing works — contact support through the app (Settings → Support). Include the channel @username or its ID.
Features
Bot added as member, not admin
The most common issue. The bot must be a channel administrator. Go to channel settings → Administrators → add @crosslybot with message publishing permissions.
Bot was added before using Crosslybot
If the bot was added to the channel before you started using the service, the addition event may have been missed. Click 'Refresh' or forward a message from the channel.
Channel with forwarding restrictions
If the channel has 'Restrict saving content' enabled, messages can't be forwarded. In this case, use the 'Refresh' button in the app.
Temporary Telegram API issue
Sometimes the Telegram API is slow to return information about new administrators. Wait 5 minutes and try again.
FAQ
Why doesn't the bot see my Telegram channel?
Most often the bot isn't added as an administrator or was added before you started using Crosslybot. Check permissions, click 'Refresh', or forward a message from the channel to the bot.
How does channel discovery via forwarding work?
Forward any message from the channel to @crosslybot in a direct message. The bot will identify the channel from the forwarded message, verify that it's an admin and that you're a channel admin, and add it to your list.
What if forwarding is disabled in the channel?
If 'Restrict saving content' is enabled, Telegram doesn't allow forwarding messages. In this case, use the 'Refresh' button in the app or re-add the bot as administrator.
Does the bot have to be an administrator?
Yes. The bot must be a channel administrator to read posts (source) and publish (target). Without admin rights, Crosslybot cannot work with the channel.
I forwarded a message but the bot says 'You are not an administrator'
This means you're not an administrator of the channel the message was forwarded from. The bot only adds channels that you manage.
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