diff --git a/example-config.yaml b/example-config.yaml
index 02a626af..cfccc342 100644
--- a/example-config.yaml
+++ b/example-config.yaml
@@ -107,6 +107,10 @@ bridge:
     # Whether or not to automatically synchronize contacts and chats of Matrix users logged into
     # their Telegram account at startup.
     startup_sync: true
+    # Number of most recently active dialogs to check when syncing chats.
+    # Dialogs include groups and private chats, but only groups are synced.
+    # Set to 0 to remove limit.
+    sync_dialog_limit: 30
     # The maximum number of simultaneous Telegram deletions to handle.
     # A large number of simultaneous redactions could put strain on your homeserver.
     max_telegram_delete: 10
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/config.py b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
index f21ca536..7d283ff5 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/config.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/config.py
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ class Config(DictWithRecursion):
         copy("bridge.max_initial_member_sync")
         copy("bridge.sync_channel_members")
         copy("bridge.startup_sync")
+        copy("bridge.sync_dialog_limit")
         copy("bridge.sync_matrix_state")
         copy("bridge.max_telegram_delete")
         copy("bridge.allow_matrix_login")
diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/user.py b/mautrix_telegram/user.py
index 2f51675c..7821d3bd 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/user.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/user.py
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ class User(AbstractUser):
 
     async def sync_dialogs(self, synchronous_create: bool = False) -> None:
         creators = []
-        for entity in await self.get_dialogs(limit=30):
+        for entity in await self.get_dialogs(limit=config["bridge.sync_dialog_limit"] or None):
             portal = po.Portal.get_by_entity(entity)
             self.portals[portal.tgid_full] = portal
             creators.append(