Telegram People Nearby Is Gone: How to Find People Nearby
Telegram removed People Nearby in 2024 and it's not coming back. Here's why, what Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp offer, and safer ways to meet people nearby.
By Boris Adzaip, founder of Konnectors · 6 min read
Published 7 November 2026 · Last updated 7 November 2026
The short answer
Telegram removed People Nearby in September 2024, and it is not hidden, broken or waiting for a setting: it is gone for everyone, on every phone. Telegram's founder said fewer than 0.1% of users used it and that it had problems with bots and scammers, so it was replaced with "Businesses Nearby", which shows verified businesses, not people.
If you want to find people near you now, you need an app built for it. Instagram and Snapchat maps only show people who are already your friends, and WhatsApp only shares your location inside a chat. Apps like Konnectors let you check in and join small hangouts nearby, without showing your exact location.
What People Nearby did, and why so many people miss it
People Nearby arrived in 2019. You could make yourself visible, see other Telegram users and local group chats around you with a rough distance, and message them without swapping phone numbers. For travellers, students in a new city and people who just wanted someone to talk to, it was a quick way to find locals. It was also, as many users noticed, full of accounts that were not exactly looking for friendship.
Why Telegram removed it
In his announcement, Pavel Durov wrote that Telegram had removed People Nearby, which was "used by less than 0.1% of Telegram users, but had issues with bots and scammers". It came as part of a wider clean-up of features that were being misused. Security researchers had also shown that, with fake GPS apps and some maths, People Nearby could be used to work out where a visible user actually was, which is a lot more than "nearby".
In its place Telegram announced Businesses Nearby: verified businesses that can show product catalogues and take payments. Useful if you want a bakery. Less useful if you want a badminton partner.
Visit Pavel Durov's announcement (Telegram) ↗Visit Telegram bug tracker: feature removed ↗
"Why can't I see People Nearby on Telegram?"
Because it no longer exists, not because of your phone, your country or your settings. Updating, reinstalling, turning location on, switching to the desktop app or using a "mod" version will not bring it back. Be careful with anything that claims to: modified Telegram apps and "nearby" bots are exactly the kind of thing scammers use, and installing an unofficial app means giving it your account and messages.
- Is People Nearby back on Telegram? No. Telegram has not brought it back since removing it in 2024.
- Can I find people nearby on Telegram another way? Only by joining public groups for your city or interests, which you have to search for or be invited to.
- Do Telegram bots that "find people nearby" work? Treat them as unsafe: you are sharing your location with an unknown bot owner.
Can Instagram find people nearby?
Not strangers. Instagram Map, launched in August 2025 and opened from your messages inbox, lets you share your location with "Friends" (followers you follow back), your Close Friends list or people you pick, and it is off until you turn it on. You can hide places such as home or work, and your location disappears if you have not opened the app for 24 hours. You can also browse posts and Reels tagged near you, but there is no list of nearby people you do not know, and that is deliberate.
Can Snapchat find people nearby?
Snap Map shows your location only to friends you have added back, never to strangers. You choose My Friends, My Friends Except, Only These Friends, or Ghost Mode (for 3 hours, 24 hours or until you turn it off). You can see public Snaps from places around the world, but you cannot see or message random people near you from the map.
If you use Snap Map at all, review your friend list first: "friends" collected years ago are not always people you want knowing where you are tonight.
Can WhatsApp find people nearby?
No. WhatsApp can share your live location with a person or group chat for a set time, or send a one-off pin of where you are, and you can stop sharing whenever you want. But it only works inside chats with people you already have, so it is great for "I'm at the gate" and no help at all for meeting someone new.
Apps that are actually built to find people nearby
The apps that replaced People Nearby for most people fall into four groups. Pick by what you want to happen next, not by the size of the map.
- Hangout and activity apps (like Konnectors or Meetup): you join a plan, such as coffee, a walk or a game, with a small group nearby. Lower pressure than one-to-one chat.
- Check-in apps: you show you are around and open to meeting, and see who else is, without sharing an exact spot.
- Friendship apps (like Bumble For Friends): profiles and matching, but for friends rather than dates.
- Map-first social apps: a live map of nearby users. Fast, but check how precise the location is and who can see you.
How Konnectors does "nearby" differently
Konnectors is free and built for meeting people near you in real life: you can check in to see who is around, join or host a hangout, find travel buddies for a trip, and use Women-only mode if you prefer. Others see roughly where you are, never your exact location, and profiles can be selfie-verified so you know a real person is behind them. It is on Android and the web; iOS is coming soon.
It is honestly not the right pick for everything. If you only want to see where your existing friends are, Instagram Map or Snap Map already does that. If you want big organised events, Meetup is stronger.
Staying safe when you meet people nearby
- Never share your exact live location with someone you have not met. An approximate area is enough to plan a meetup.
- Meet first in a busy public place, in daylight if you can, and tell a friend where you are going.
- Be wary of anyone who asks for money, gift cards, crypto, or to move to another app straight away. These were the classic People Nearby scams.
- Prefer group hangouts for a first meeting; they are safer and much less awkward.
- Block and report accounts that pressure you. That is what the button is for.
Frequently asked questions
Is People Nearby back on Telegram?
No. Telegram removed People Nearby for everyone in September 2024 and replaced it with Businesses Nearby, which only shows verified businesses. No setting, update or app version brings it back.
Why was Telegram People Nearby removed?
Telegram's founder Pavel Durov said it was used by less than 0.1% of users and had issues with bots and scammers. It was removed as part of a wider clean-up of misused features.
What is the best alternative to Telegram People Nearby?
It depends on what you want. For meeting new people in real life, use a hangout or check-in app such as Konnectors; for friendship matching, Bumble For Friends; for seeing friends you already have, Instagram Map or Snap Map.
How can I search for people nearby for free?
Use a free app built for meeting people nearby, such as Konnectors, which lets you check in and join hangouts around you. Social media maps only show friends you are already connected with.
Can I see strangers near me on Instagram or Snapchat?
No. Instagram Map and Snap Map only show the locations of friends who chose to share with you. You can browse public posts by place, but not a list of nearby strangers.
Ready to meet new people?
Free to join. Android app on Google Play, or use it in your browser. iOS coming soon.
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