Telegram Stars
Telegram Stars Refund: When You Can Get Stars Back
Telegram doesn't refund Stars bought by mistake. Bots can refund undelivered purchases via /paysupport, and an Apple or Google refund can cost you Stars.
Updated
When Stars come back
- Bought by mistakeNo refund: sales are final
- A bot did not deliver/paysupport, then @BotFather
- Apple or Google refundTelegram can remove Stars
On this page
At a glance
Who can return your Stars
Based on Telegram's Stars terms, FAQ and gift documentation, updated 10 Oct 2026.
| Situation | Who decides | What comes back |
|---|---|---|
| Stars bought by mistake | Telegram: all sales are final | Nothing |
| In-app purchase refunded by Apple or Google | Apple or Google | Money from the store; Telegram can remove Stars |
| Bot or mini app didn't deliver | The developer, via /paysupport | Your Stars, in full |
| Gift offer rejected or expired | Automatic | The full offer amount, instantly |
| Fee for a paid message | The person you messaged | The full fee, if they refund it |
Can you get a refund for Telegram Stars?
Telegram does not refund Stars you bought by mistake or no longer want: its Stars terms say all sales are final. You can still get Stars back from a bot that failed to deliver, and rejected or expired gift offers refund automatically.
Apple and Google can refund an in-app purchase under their own rules. If they do, Telegram can take Stars back from your balance.
Get Stars back from a bot or mini app
If a bot or mini app took your Stars and didn't deliver, its developer can refund you in full. Telegram requires every bot that sells for Stars to answer the /paysupport command.
A bot refund returns Stars to your Telegram balance, not money to your card.
- Open the bot and send /paysupport. Say what you paid for and what went wrong.
- Find the transaction ID in your Stars history under Settings > My Stars.
- If the developer refuses a fair refund, report it through @BotFather at t.me/BotFather?start=starsdispute and include the transaction ID.
Ask Apple, Google or the payment provider
Stars bought in the iPhone or Google Play app are an in-app purchase, so the store decides on refunds.
- Apple: sign in at reportaproblem.apple.com, choose I'd like to > Request a refund, pick a reason and the Stars purchase, then submit. Apple says to expect an update in 24 to 48 hours.
- Google Play: a refund may be possible within 48 hours of purchase. On play.google.com go to your profile picture > Payments & subscriptions > Budget & order history, find the order and choose Report a problem.
- After 48 hours, Google sends you to the app developer, and Telegram's Stars terms treat Stars sales as final.
- Bought through @PremiumBot or in Telegram Web or Desktop: contact the payment processor named on your receipt. Telegram's Stars terms send payment issues to the processor.
What happens to your Stars after a store refund
Telegram's Stars terms let it hold back or permanently remove Stars from your balance when an in-app purchase is refunded.
- No compensation: Telegram doesn't compensate removed Stars, even if you lose digital goods, services or subscriptions bought with them.
- Data sharing: asking a store for a refund or chargeback lets Telegram give that store data about your account status and Stars purchases.
- Lower rating: Telegram's FAQ says refunding Star purchases lowers your profile rating.
- Ban risk: the Stars terms deal with in-app refunds in their section on abuse. Violations can lead to a temporary or permanent ban, and a banned account's Stars are forfeited.
Other ways Stars come back
Gift offers refund automatically. When you offer to buy someone's collectible gift, your payment is reserved. If the owner rejects the offer or it expires, the full amount comes back instantly.
Paid-message fees come back only if the recipient decides so. Some users charge Stars for messages from people outside their contacts, and they can refund your full fee by hand, for example after replying.
When Stars can't come back
If you delete your account or lose access to it, Telegram treats the remaining Stars as forfeited.
Converting a gift to Stars destroys the gift permanently. The Stars you received stay in your balance, but the gift can't be restored.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a refund for Telegram Stars?
Only in specific cases. A bot that didn't deliver can return the Stars, and rejected or expired gift offers refund automatically. Accidental top-ups stay final.
How do I get Stars back from a bot?
Send /paysupport to the bot with the transaction ID from your Stars history. If the developer refuses, file a dispute through @BotFather.
What happens if Apple or Google refunds my Telegram Stars?
Telegram can hold back or permanently debit Stars from your balance without compensation, and your profile rating goes down.
Do refunded Stars go back to my card?
No. A refund from a bot goes to your Stars balance. Only Apple, Google or your payment provider can return money.
Does a refund lower my Telegram rating?
Yes. Telegram's FAQ lists refunded Star purchases among the things that lower a profile rating.
Sources
Primary sources consulted
- Terms of Service for Telegram StarsTelegram · checked
- Telegram Browser, Gifting Stars and MoreTelegram Blog · checked
- Bot Payments API for Digital Goods and ServicesTelegram · checked
- Telegram Bot Platform Developer Terms of ServiceTelegram · checked
- Telegram FAQTelegram · checked
- Telegram GiftsTelegram API documentation · checked
- Passkeys, Gift Purchase Offers and MoreTelegram Blog · checked
- Request a refund for apps or content that you bought from AppleApple Support · checked
- Apps, games, & in-app purchases (including subscriptions) refund policiesGoogle Play Help · checked
- Request a refund on Google PlayGoogle Play Help · checked