---
title: How do I read and reply to customer messages on Telegram?
description: "Incoming Telegram messages arrive in **Telegram Inbox**. Each row is one message, not a merged conversation. ## Finding a message - **Chat ID** — enter one to see only that contact's messages, or leave blank for all. - **Date range**…"
url: "https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/how-do-i-read-and-reply-to-customer-messages-on-telegram/"
updated: "2026-11-02"
category: Telegram Messaging / Inbox
---

# How do I read and reply to customer messages on Telegram?

Incoming Telegram messages arrive in **Telegram Inbox**. Each row is one message, not a merged conversation.

## Finding a message

- **Chat ID** — enter one to see only that contact's messages, or leave blank for all.
- **Date range** — pick From and To dates, then click **Search**. Both filters apply together.
- Use the pagination at the bottom for long lists.

## What the columns show

| Column | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| **Name** | The contact's first name, as Telegram reports it |
| **Chat ID** | The numeric chat identifier; use it to send to a custom recipient |
| **User ID** | The sender's Telegram user identifier |
| **Type** | text, photo, video, document, voice, location, contact and so on |
| **Message** | The text or caption, shortened in the list |

Rows with media have a **Preview** option that opens the file in a modal.

## Replying

Go to **Send Telegram**, choose the contact under **From Inbox**, and send. The inbox recipient list shows each person once, which is why it looks shorter than the Inbox itself.

## If nothing arrives

1. **Check the webhook.** Incoming messages only reach your Inbox once the bot is connected and the webhook is registered. Re-register it from **Telegram Bot Setup**.
2. **Check the customer started the chat.** Only people who messaged your bot can appear.
3. **Widen the date range** before concluding there's nothing there.

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