“Waiting for network” in Telegram is not a proxy problem
Telegram shows “Waiting for network” when the device says it has no internet connection. It appears before the app tries any server, so a different proxy will not change it. The fix is on your device or your network.
What you see
| Where | On screen |
|---|---|
| Telegram for Android | “Waiting for network...” |
| Telegram for iPhone | “Waiting for network” |
What it usually means
- Wi-Fi is connected but has no internet, for example a hotspot that wants you to log in on a web page first.
- Telegram is not allowed to use mobile data, or a data saver blocks it in the background.
- Airplane mode, a VPN app that lost its server, or a firewall stops all traffic.
- Internet access in your area is shut down entirely. A proxy cannot help when there is no connection at all.
Check it step by step
- Open any website in a browser with VPN apps turned off.
If nothing loads, the device is offline. Fix Wi-Fi or mobile data first.
- Check that Telegram may use data.
On iPhone: iOS Settings → Telegram → Mobile Data (Cellular Data). On Android: the app info screen for Telegram, mobile data and background data. Menu names differ between phone makers.
- Turn off VPN apps for a moment.
A VPN that lost its server can leave the device with no working connection.
- Turn airplane mode on and off again.
This resets the connection. When it comes back, the status should change to “Connecting…” or disappear.
- When the status changes to “Connecting to proxy…”, follow the proxy steps.
From that moment the proxy matters: proxy not connecting.
Try a server that passed our last check
These servers passed a full MTProto handshake from our checker. List built 19 October 2026 at 21:51 UTC; it is rebuilt every 20 minutes. A server that works for our checker can still be blocked on your network.
Questions
Will a different proxy fix “Waiting for network”?
No. Telegram shows it before contacting any server. Fix the device connection first.
Telegram says Waiting for network, but other apps work. Why?
Check data permissions for Telegram, battery and data saver settings, and VPN apps that only cover some apps. Restart Telegram after changing them.
What comes after Waiting for network?
“Connecting…” (or “Connecting to proxy…” with a proxy on), then “Updating…”, then no status at all, which means you are connected.