openclaw - 💡(How to fix) Fix Telegram Bot cannot respond to any group messages (including @mentions)

Bug Description

Telegram Bot configured with OpenClaw cannot respond to any group chat messages, including @mentions. The logs show for all incoming group messages.

Environment

• OpenClaw Version: 2026.5.7
• Channel: Telegram
• Bot Privacy Mode: Disabled (confirmed via Telegram API: )

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create a Telegram Bot via @BotFather
2. Disable Privacy Mode ( → )
3. Add Bot to a group chat
4. Send any message in the group (with or without @mention)
5. Observe that Bot does not respond

Expected Behavior

• With Privacy Mode disabled, Bot should receive group messages
• With mention, Bot should respond regardless of other settings

Actual Behavior

• All group messages are skipped with log entry:
• Both regular messages and @mentions fail to trigger the Bot
• Private/DM messages work correctly

Root Cause Analysis

Investigation revealed that OpenClaw has an internal setting that filters all group messages:

This setting appears to be hardcoded and cannot be changed via:

• UI settings (not exposed)
• Config file (not present in )
• (protected path error)
• Environment variables

Attempted Solutions

1. ✅ Disabled Telegram Privacy Mode via @BotFather
2. ✅ Removed and re-added Bot to group
3. ✅ Restarted OpenClaw Gateway
4. ✅ Verified @mention format (using Telegram's mention feature, not plain text)
5. ❌ Attempted →
6. ❌ Searched for environment variable override → None found

Result: All group messages still skipped.

Suggested Fix

One of the following:

1. Expose in UI/config - Allow users to toggle this setting
2. Fix @mention detection - Ensure @mentions bypass the filter
3. Document the limitation - If intentional, clearly document that group chats are not supported

Additional Context

• Bot token source:
• Channel mode:
• in health status confirms Telegram-side is correct
• Other Bots (e.g., Hermes) work fine in the same group with same privacy settings

Labels

bug, telegram, group-chat