Telegram is a popular messenger that combines simplicity, speed, and enhanced security. It allows users to exchange messages, photos, videos, and files of any type without size limits. Additionally, it supports group chats with up to 200,000 participants and public channels with unlimited audiences. The app works across all platforms, enabling seamless use on smartphones, computers, and the web, with all messages synchronized via the cloud.
Below, we will explore advanced Telegram features for personal use—from hidden chat options to security settings—as well as the benefits of Telegram Premium. The guide includes illustrations and links to official resources and authoritative manuals.
Account Setup and Basic Features
Before exploring advanced features, make sure your Telegram account is properly set up. To register, simply install the app and enter your phone number—you’ll receive an SMS code for verification. After that, you can enter your name and optionally set a profile picture. Telegram will automatically detect your contacts who already use the app, and you can manually add new friends by phone number or username (a unique nickname).
Device Synchronization
One of Telegram’s key advantages is the ability to use your account on multiple devices simultaneously. Just install the app on a new device and log in with the same phone number—all your chats will instantly sync from the cloud. This is especially useful for switching between phone and computer while chatting.
Editing and Deleting Messages
Telegram allows you to edit sent messages (e.g., to fix a typo) or delete them for both yourself and the recipient. To do this, tap on the message and select an action—such as “Edit” or “Delete.” This feature provides greater control over conversations, enabling you to modify or remove messages even after they’ve been sent.
File Sharing
You can send large files—up to 2GB per file for free usersand up to 4GB for Telegram Premium subscribers (more details later). Since all data is stored in Telegram’s cloud, it doesn’t take up device storage and is accessible from any of your devices. To send photos and videos without compression, use the “File” option (via the paperclip icon) instead of “Gallery”—this way, they will retain their original quality.
Advanced Messaging Features
Telegram offers many hidden features that make messaging more convenient. Below are some key functions that not all users are aware of.
Scheduled and Silent Message Sending
Telegram allows you to schedule messages for later or send them without notifying the recipient with a sound. This is useful if you want to message at an unusual time without disturbing the person or set a reminder for the future.
To use these features, type your message and hold down the send button (paper plane icon). A menu will appear with options:
• “Send later” – Schedule a message by selecting a date and time; it will be delivered automatically at the specified moment.
• “Send without sound” – The message is sent immediately, but the recipient will only receive a visual notification without sound.
All scheduled messages can be viewed and edited if needed—just tap the calendar icon in the message input field (it appears when there are scheduled messages).
Quoting Messages and Replies
For better conversation tracking, Telegram allows quoting messages. If you want to reply to a specific message in a chat, swipe right on it (or tap the message and select “Reply”). Your response will be linked to that message.
Additionally, you can quote a specific part of a message:
• Highlight the text you want to quote → Tap “Quote” → Only the selected fragment will appear in your reply.
Other useful actions available in the message menu include “Copy text,” “Forward,” and “Pin” (explained below).
Pinning Messages and Chats
For important chats (e.g., workgroups), you can pin messagesso they always remain at the top.
To pin a message, tap it and select “Pin”—it will stay visible at the top of the chat.
You can also pin entire chats to keep them at the top of your chat list:
• Swipe right on a chat → Select “Pin chat”.
• Free users can pin up to 5 chats, while Premium users can pin up to 10.
Hashtags and Search
Telegram supports hashtags—keywords starting with # in messages. Tapping a hashtag opens a search for all messages with that tag in the chat.
This is especially useful in your “Saved Messages” (personal cloud chat). For example, you can tag notes with #idea or #recipe for quick access later.
Additionally, every chat has a global search (via the “Search” menu) that allows you to find messages by keywords or date.
Auto-Translation of Messages
If you communicate in different languages or follow foreign channels, Telegram offers automatic translation of messages.
To enable it:
1. Go to Settings → Language → Turn on “Show Translate Button.”
2. You can also specify languages that don’t need translation(e.g., your native language).
Once enabled, simply tap a message and select “Translate”to see its translation instantly.
📌 Note: All users can translate individual messages, but Premium subscribers can translate entire chats and channels in real time with one tap.
Voice and Video Calls, Voice Messages
In addition to text chat, Telegram supports audio and video communication. You can make free voice and video calls to any Telegram user with high quality and end-to-end encryption for security.
Video Calls
To make a video call:
1. Open the contact’s profile (or chat with them).
2. Tap the menu button (three dots in the corner) and select “Video Call”—or simply tap the camera icon in the profile.
3. The recipient will receive a call notification just like a regular phone call.
During the call, you can:
✅ Switch between front and rear cameras
✅ Turn video or audio on/off
Group Calls
In group chats, you can start voice and video conferences(formerly called “Voice Chats,” now also known as “Video Meetings”).
To start a group call:
1. Open the group profile → Tap “⋮” (menu) → Select “Start Voice Chat” or “Start Video Chat”.
2. Thousands of participants can listen, while speakers take turns talking—ideal for meetings, lectures, or community streams.
Voice and Video Messages
Instead of calling, you can send a voice message (“voice memo”):
• Hold the microphone icon in the input field and speak.
• Release to send the recorded audio snippet.
• The recipient can listen anytime, even at 1.5x or 2x speed(tap the “1x” button on the voice message).
Similarly, you can send a video message (“video note”):
• Tap and hold the camera icon to record a short circular video—it will appear in chat as a round preview.
📌 Note:
• No time limit for voice and video messages.
• They are stored in the Telegram cloud and don’t take up device space.
• If you receive a long voice message but can’t listen, Telegram Premium offers voice-to-text transcription (details in the Telegram Premium section).
Chat Organization and Personal Space
When you have many chats, Telegram offers tools to help you organize and personalize your experience.
Multiple Accounts and Device Management
Telegram allows you to use up to three accounts (e.g., work and personal numbers) in one app—or up to four with Telegram Premium.
To add an account:
• Go to Settings → Select “Add Account”.
• On Android, this option is in the side menu.
• On iOS, go to Settings → Tap “Edit” → “Add Account”.
You can instantly switch between accounts via the profile menu.
Additionally, in “Devices”, you can see all logged-in sessionsand log out from old devices for security.
Chat Folders
If you have many chats, organize them into thematic folders(e.g., Work, Friends, News).
To create a folder:
1. Go to Settings → Folders → “Create New Folder”.
2. Name the folder and add chats to it.
Once created, you can quickly switch folders from the chat screen. By default, Telegram opens “All Chats,” but Premium users can set any folder as the default view.
📌 Folder Limits:
• Free users: Up to 10 folders (each holding up to 100 chats).
• Premium users: Up to 20 folders (each with 200 chats).
Archiving Chats
If you want to hide less important chats:
• Swipe left on a chat → Tap “Archive”.
Archived chats disappear from the main list but remain accessible (the “Archive” section appears at the top if chats are archived).
📌 If a new message arrives in an archived chat, it moves back to the main list—but you can disable this to keep them hidden. You can also pin chats inside the archive to organize them.
Personal Notes and Cloud Storage
Telegram includes a special chat called “Saved Messages”—your personal cloud notebook.
Use it to:
✅ Save notes, links, photos, and files for access across devices.
✅ Store files without storage limits (everything is in Telegram’s cloud).
✅ Set reminders:
• Write a message → Hold “Send” → Choose “Set Reminder”.
• At the set time, Telegram will send the message as a new notification, so you won’t forget it.
Chat Personalization
Customize your chats to match your style:
• Set custom wallpapers for individual chats:
1. Open the chat → Tap “⋮” (menu) → Select “Change Wallpaper”.
2. Choose from Telegram’s gallery or upload your own image.
• In “Chat Settings”, you can adjust:
✅ Themes & Night Mode
✅ Text size
✅ Power Saving Mode (to disable animations and auto-play media, helping save battery).
📌 Pro Tip: In Settings → Power Saving, you can set a battery level threshold—once your charge drops below it, Telegram automatically enables power-saving mode.
Privacy and Security
Telegram is known for its strong focus on privacy. Here are the tools to help protect your data and keep your conversations confidential.
Secret Chats
For highly sensitive conversations, use Secret Chats—these are separate end-to-end encrypted chats that aren’t stored on Telegram’s servers. Additionally:
✅ Messages can’t be forwarded.
✅ You can set messages to auto-delete.
To start a Secret Chat:
1. Open the contact’s profile → Tap “⋮” (menu) → Select “Start Secret Chat”.
2. A separate chat will open, marked with a lock icon.
Messages in Secret Chats are only accessible on the device they were sent from, ensuring maximum privacy.
Self-Destructing Messages and Files
In Secret Chats, you can enable a self-destruct timer for messages, photos, and videos. After the recipient views the message, it automatically deletes after the selected time.
To enable:
1. In a Secret Chat, tap “⋮” (menu) → Select “Enable Auto-Delete”.
2. Choose a time interval (from 1 second to 1 week).
📌 Note: In Secret Chats, screenshots are blocked or you receive a notification if one is taken—ensuring your information remains secure.
Privacy Settings
Telegram allows you to control who sees your activity and personal data.
Go to Settings → Privacy to adjust:
✅ Last Seen & Online – Hide your online status (e.g., show only “last seen recently”).
✅ Profile Photo – Make your avatar visible only to your contacts.
✅ Forwarded Messages – Restrict who can mention your username when forwarding your messages.
• By default, forwarded messages link back to your profile.
• To remove the link, set “Nobody” in forwarding settings—your messages will appear with a generic name.
✅ Phone Number – Hide your number so people can find you only by username.
✅ Two-Step Verification – Enable two-factor authentication to secure logins with an extra password.
• Go to Privacy → Two-Step Verification → Set a strong password (with an optional hint and backup email).
• This prevents unauthorized logins, even if someone gets your SMS code.
App Lock
For extra protection against unauthorized access to your chats, enable local app lock.
1. Go to Privacy → Passcode & Face ID (or Touch ID).
2. Set a passcode or enable biometric unlock (Face ID / Touch ID).
Now, Telegram will require authentication on every app launch, keeping your chats safe even if someone gets access to your phone.
Geolocation and Nearby Search
Sharing Your Location
Telegram allows you to share your location—either as a one-time update or in real-time.
To send your location in any chat:
1. Tap the paperclip icon (📎) → Select “Location”.
2. Choose:
• “Send My Current Location” – Shares your GPS-based location as a static map marker.
• “Share Live Location” – Continuously updates your location in real-time for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
📌 Live Location Tracking:
• The recipient can see your movements on the map—helpful when meeting someone.
• You can stop sharing at any time (tap the location in chat → “Stop”).
• Useful for safety situations (e.g., letting friends track your way home).
People Nearby
Telegram lets you find nearby users and groups. When enabled, you can see people within a few kilometers who have also made themselves discoverable.
🔎 To access this feature:
• Android: Contacts → Find People Nearby
• iOS: Settings → People Nearby
Telegram will request location access and show a list of nearby users (including their name and distance). You can send messages or invite them to chat. This is great for meeting new people or joining local groups.
Channels and Bots: Expanding Telegram’s Features
Channels
In addition to private chats, Telegram supports one-way broadcast channels, where admins post updates for unlimited subscribers.
📢 How Channels Work:
• You follow a channel (e.g., news, cooking, education) and receive updates in your chat list.
• No replies allowed, but you can react with emojis or view comments (if enabled).
• Find channels using search or links (e.g., t.me/examplechannel).
📌 Creating Your Own Channel:
1. Tap “New Message” → “Create Channel”.
2. Set a name, description, and profile picture.
3. Customize a public @username for easy sharing.
Many users use channels for blogging or audience engagement.
Groups
Telegram supports group chats with up to 200,000 members, functioning like forums or communities.
👥 Group Features:
✅ Mentions (@username)
✅ Polls & quizzes
✅ Message forwarding
✅ Bot integration
✅ Admin roles & moderation tools
📌 Group Management Tools:
• Pinned messages – Keep important updates (e.g., rules) visible.
• Slow Mode – Limits message frequency to reduce spam.
• Public groups – Open for anyone to join via a permanent invite link.
🔹 To create a group: Tap “New Group”, add members, and send an invite link.
Bots
One of Telegram’s standout features is bot support—automated accounts programmed to perform various tasks.
🤖 Popular Bots:
• @gif – Finds & sends GIFs.
• @translater – Translates messages.
• @weatherbot – Provides weather updates.
• @vote – Creates polls in chats.
🔹 To use a bot:
• Search for the bot’s username and tap “Start.”
• Many bots provide command instructions.
• Bots can also be added to groups (e.g., poll bots for voting).
📌 Note: Bots are third-party applications but operate through Telegram’s official API. They cannot read private chats unless explicitly added.
Telegram Premium: Features & Benefits
Telegram Premium is a paid subscription that unlocks extra features and perks while supporting the development of the messenger. All basic Telegram features remain free, but Premium expands the limits and adds convenience.
📅 Launched in 2022, the subscription costs around $5/month, with discounts for 3, 6, or 12-month payments. You can subscribe directly in the app (Settings → Telegram Premium) or via the official @PremiumBot (on Android and desktop) for a discount (avoiding app store fees).
What Does Telegram Premium Offer?
🚀 Increased Limits
Most usage limits are doubled, making it ideal for power users:
✅ Join up to 1,000 channels
✅ Create 20 chat folders (200 chats each)
✅ Pin up to 10 chats (instead of 5)
✅ Save up to 10 sticker sets & 400 GIFs
✅ Add a 4th account in the app
✅ Longer profile bios & photo captions
📁 Send Files Up to 4GB
• Premium users can upload files up to 4GB each (vs. 2GB for free users).
• Anyone can download large files, but only Premium userscan upload them.
• Perfect for high-quality videos, large documents, and archives.
⚡ Faster Downloads
Media & files from Telegram Cloud download at maximum speed, limited only by your internet connection.
🏆 Exclusive Stickers & Emojis
• Premium users get full-screen animated stickers, visible to all (but only Premium users can send them).
• Extra emoji reactions (10+ new exclusive emoji).
• Animated profile videos—Premium users’ avatars stay animated in chat lists.
🎙 Voice-to-Text Transcription
• Convert voice & video messages into text (for when you can’t listen).
• Tap “→A” next to a voice message to instantly see its text version.
• Works for voice notes & video messages (circles).
⭐ Emoji Status & Premium Badge
• A star icon appears next to your name, showing you have Premium.
• You can replace it with an emoji status (e.g., 🤓, 🏖️, 😴).
• Status disappears after 24h unless manually set.
🚫 Ad-Free Experience
• Removes ads from large public channels (no sponsored messages).
🔧 Advanced Chat Customization
• Set a default chat folder (e.g., always open Work Chatsinstead of “All Chats”).
• Auto-archive messages from unknown users (sent directly to “Archive” with notifications muted).
🎨 Exclusive App Icons & Themes
• Choose unique app icons (e.g., Premium star, night sky, jet plane).
• Special decorative reactions & animations.
Early Access to New Features
• Premium users test new features first (e.g., Telegram Stories, gifting Premium, advanced admin tools).
📌 Even without Premium, free users can:
✅ Download large files uploaded by Premium users.
✅ View Premium stickers & reactions (but not send them).
✅ React to messages with Premium emoji (increasing reaction counters).
📢 Bottom Line: Telegram Premium enhances the experience without restricting free users. It’s perfect for power users who want more storage, speed, and exclusive perks while supporting Telegram’s development. 🚀
Useful Resources & Links
Telegram is constantly updated, introducing new features. To stay informed, consider subscribing to the officialTelegram Tips channel, where the Telegram team shares hidden tricks and useful tips.
For discussions and additional insights, you can explore:
✅ Reddit forums – Active Telegram enthusiasts share tips & hacks.
✅ Tech communities – Various Telegram user groups discuss updates.
🔗 Official & Helpful Resources
📌 Telegram FAQ – The official help section covering:
• Messenger basics
• Privacy & security settings
• Secret chats & other key features
📌 Telegram Blog – Official update announcements, such as:
• “Silent Messages, Slow Mode…” (introducing scheduled & silent messages)
• “700 Million Users & Telegram Premium” (launch of Premium features)
📌 Guides & Reviews – Articles & videos explaining hidden features:
• RBC article: “20 Telegram Features That Will Make Your Life Easier”.
• YouTube tutorials:
• “The Ultimate Telegram Premium Review”.
• “Best Telegram Settings – Do This Now!” (step-by-step feature demonstrations).
We hope this guide has helped you discover new Telegram features. 🎉
💡 Try out settings, explore bots & channels, and customize your experience to get the most out of Telegram!
🚀 Enjoy using Telegram! 🚀
