Telegram Account Formats: Session, Tdata & API Explained

When buying Telegram accounts, they come in different technical formats, each for different purposes and tools. Choosing the wrong format means the accounts won't work with your software. This guide clarifies Session, Tdata, and API.

Session Files (.session)

What they are

A small database file (usually SQLite) storing authentication keys, generated by Telethon or GramJS after login. Contains everything to maintain an authenticated connection without re-entering a code.

Technical details

• Format: SQLite (.session) or binary string.
• Size: typically 20-50 KB.
• Contains: auth key, DC ID, server address, user ID.
• Compatible with: Telethon, Pyrogram, GramJS, TDLib-based tools.

Use cases

Automated messaging bots, account scripts, scraping members, mass-joining, custom automation.

Pros and cons

Pros: lightweight, easy bulk management, compatible with major libraries, headless on servers.
Cons: needs coding, can't be used directly in apps, library-specific.

Tdata Folders

What they are

Tdata is where Telegram Desktop stores session data. Copy a tdata folder into the Desktop directory and the app loads the account automatically — no login needed.

Technical details

• Format: folder of encrypted binary files.
• Size: 5-50 MB.
• Contains: auth keys, settings, cached messages, thumbnails.
• Compatible with: Telegram Desktop, some multi-account managers.

Use cases

Manual management, multi-account on one machine, warming accounts, managing channels via native UI.

Pros and cons

Pros: no coding, full Desktop features, easy natural warming.
Cons: larger size, hard bulk management, needs desktop, hard to run headless.

API Connections

What they are

API accounts come with pre-configured api_id and api_hash from my.telegram.org, allowing direct authenticated access to the MTProto API.

Technical details

• Credentials: api_id + api_hash + phone + auth key.
• Higher rate limits due to registered API app.
• Compatible with: any MTProto client library.

Use cases

Building custom apps, high-volume operations, stable long-term connections, enterprise automation.

Pros and cons

Pros: most flexible, highest limits, stable connections, full API.
Cons: most expensive, needs expertise, overkill for simple tasks.

Comparison

Ease of use: Tdata (easy) < Session (medium) < API (advanced).
Bulk management: Session/API excellent, Tdata moderate.
Automation: Session/API full, Tdata limited.
Server deployment: Session/API yes, Tdata difficult.

Which to choose

• Session: developer using Telethon/Pyrogram to manage many accounts.
• Tdata: prefer the Desktop interface, warming manually or fewer accounts.
• API: building a platform needing stable, long-term connectivity.

Our Delivery

We deliver accounts as phone number + API link. After purchase you receive the phone number and its API link, letting you view the login code and 2FA password anytime and log in on any client. For bulk or special formats, contact support.