Telegram Channels: "channels feature is not currently available" on Max plan despite correct client-side setup

Environment

• Claude Code CLI v2.1.201 (also reproduced after updating to latest)
• macOS, running in a VS Code integrated terminal
• Claude Max plan (individual user, no Team/Enterprise org)

Problem

Installing and launching the official Telegram Channels plugin returns:

channels feature is not currently available

No messages are ever delivered inbound.

Everything already tried (client-side is correct)

• channelsEnabled: true set in ~/.claude/settings.json
• /plugin install telegram@claude-plugins-official → /telegram:configure <token> → /reload-plugins
• Bot paired successfully; /telegram:access policy allowlist set
• Launched with claude --channels plugin:telegram@claude-plugins-official
• Updated the CLI to the latest version and fully restarted the session

Expected vs actual

Docs state Channels is available by default for individual Max users. Actual behavior is that the feature reports unavailable, which looks like the server-side Channels feature flag is not enabled for this account.

Ask

Please confirm whether Channels requires a server-side enablement for Max accounts, and if so enable it / share rollout status. The support chat could not resolve it and did not escalate. Happy to provide account details privately.