The Evolution of Telegram

Evolution of Messaging

On this page, we've compiled a Brief History of Telegram. It ended up rather on the 'humongous' side of 'brief' – but that's what you get for never, ever, ever releasing an update that contains only 'bug fixes and minor improvements'.

A (Not So) Brief History of Telegram

This story is written backwards – from the latest update to the primordial summer of 2013. So if you're a fan of chronology, you can jump to the end and scroll up from there. This page gets updated each time a new post hits the Telegram blog.

2024

September 2024

Star Giveaways and More

Groups and channels can host giveaways to reward community members with Telegram Stars – to spend on paid media, exclusive subscriptions, mini apps and more. Any page in the Telegram Browser can be converted to Instant View in one tap – making articles lightweight and perfectly formatted for any device.

On Telegram since September 6, 2024:

August 2024

Super Channels, Star Reactions and Subscriptions

Telegram celebrated its 11th birthday – adding new ways for users to support content creators. Users can donate to channels using the Star reaction, while channel owners can create subscription links to exclusive channels – requiring a monthly payment in Stars. Channel admins also have the option to post as their own profile or other channel, making the channel look more like a group.

On Telegram since August 14, 2024:

iOS-Specific

July 2024

Telegram Browser, Mini App Store, Gifting Stars and More

The in-app browser can hold multiple tabs – opening websites, instant view articles and mini apps in a collapsible window that also supports Web3 TON sites. Popular mini apps are featured in a mini app store located in the 'Apps' tab of Search. Mini apps can create custom content that users are able to share directly to their story. Users are able to purchase Telegram Stars and send them to contacts – giving a gift to spend in channels and mini apps.

On Telegram since July 31, 2024:

June 2024, Second Update

Mini App Bar, Paid Media, Story Search & More

Mini apps can be minimized into a compact bar for easy multitasking. Content creators are able to post paid photos and videos – which subscribers unlock by paying the author with Telegram Stars. Developers and creators can use their Stars to receive rewards or place subsidized ads. Tapping a #hashtag or location tag in a story opens other public stories with the same tag – so you can explore more.

On Telegram since June 30, 2024:

June 2024, First Update

Telegram Stars: Pay for Digital Goods and More

Bots and mini apps on the Telegram platform can sell digital products in exchange for Telegram Stars, which users acquire with in-app purchases. Developers can reinvest stars to promote their app or withdraw their Stars via Fragment.

On Telegram since June 6, 2024:

May 2024

Message Effects, Hashtag Search, and More

Messages in 1-on-1 chats can be sent with spectacular animated effects, while media messages can have their captions above photos and videos. Long sections of quoted text are able to be collapsed and expanded for compact citations. Tapping a #hashtag shows global search results for that tag from public channels – to help find new creators.

On Telegram since May 31, 2024:

April 2024, Second Update

My Profile, Recommended Channels and 15 More Features

Users can browse recommended channels with similar topics to the ones they already follow. Tapping 'My Profile' in Settings shows how your profile page looks to other users – with the ability to customize it by pinning stories, adding your birthday or highlighting a channel you own.

On Telegram since April 25, 2024:

April 2024, First Update

Sticker Editor — Create Your Own Stickers

Anyone can quickly create stickers and entire sticker sets using a new powerful editor — without leaving Telegram. Take any photo and add text, drawings — or some of the millions animated stickers, emojis and GIFs that exist on the platform.

Send the sticker right away, or add it to a sticker set you can share with friends. You can also add any existing stickers to your custom sets. For example, to bring all your favorites together in one pack — or to create themed collections.

On Telegram since April 14, 2024:

March 2024, Second Update

Introducing Telegram Business

Anyone can turn their Telegram account into a business account – accessing powerful features to communicate with customers and improve productivity. Business users can add company info to their profile, create automated messages or send preset replies in any chat, integrate chatbots to respond to clients and more.

On Telegram since March 31, 2024:

March 2024, First Update

Sharing Revenue with Channel Owners

Telegram channels generate trillions of views every year – and owners of large channels can be rewarded with 50% of the revenue from ads shown in their channel. The Telegram Ad Platform allows any user to promote their channel or bot on Telegram with minimal budgets – powered by Toncoin and the TON blockchain.

On Telegram since March 31, 2024:

February 2024

Stories for Groups and 8 More Features

Groups can level up with a boost system – boosts from members allow the group to post stories, change its appearance and unlock features for all members to use in the chat, like custom emoji and voice transcription.

On Telegram since February 29, 2024:

January 2024

Saved Messages 2.0, One-Time Voice Messages and 8 More Features

Saved Messages can be sorted by chat and tagged with emoji. While recording voice and video messages you can pause and resume recording – or set them to automatically delete after playing one time. Messages in 1-on-1 chats show the exact time that they were opened by the recipient.

On Telegram since January 31, 2024:

2023

December 2023, Second Update

Colorful Calls, Thanos Snap Effect, and an Epic Update for Bots

Calls get upgraded interfaces and become more efficient – increasing performance while boosting battery life. Bots receive their largest update in the history of Telegram – able to react to messages, manage reactions, quotes and links, send replies to other chats and more.

On Telegram since December 31, 2023:

December 2023, First Update

Channel Appearance, Posts in Stories and More

Channels gain the ability to customize their appearance with a unique background or emoji status as they level up and can include real-world prizes in giveaways. Messages in channels can now be reposted to stories, and stories show more statistics and let you remove the background from photos in one tap.

On Telegram since December 23, 2023:

November 2023, Second Update

Similar Channels, Reposting Stories, and 9 More Features

Similar Channels, Reposting Stories, and 9 More Features

Joining a channel shows a list of similar channels for you to discover. Stories from your friends and favorite channels can be reposted to your page – including the ability to add video messages to stories you create or repost.

On Telegram since November 30, 2023:

November 2023, First Update

Giveaways in Channels and Free Premium

Giveaways in Channels and Free Premium

For the first time in the history of social media, giveaways are fair and transparent – allowing Telegram users to win prizes like free subscriptions to Telegram Premium and more. Prizes are paid for in advance and winners are randomly selected based on criteria chosen by the host channel.

On Telegram since November 6, 2023:

October 2023

Replies 2.0, Adjustable Link Previews, Name Colors and More

Replies 2.0, Adjustable Link Previews, Name Colors and More

Users can quote specific parts of any message and add quote formatting to text. Replies can be sent to another chat, including privately or to a different group or channel. Link previews are fully customizable – change its position, the size of its media, and which link to preview if there are multiple.

On Telegram since October 28, 2023:

September 2023

Stories for Channels, View-Once Media and More

Stories for Channels, View-Once Media and More

Users can boost their favorite channels and allow them to post stories. Anyone can add reaction stickers with unique emoji to their stories, as well as audio files from their device. Self-destructing media now has a view-once option, permanently deleting the photo or video after it is opened.

On Telegram since September 22, 2023:

August 2023

Stories and 10 Years of Telegram

Stories and 10 Years of Telegram

Telegram celebrated its 10th birthday by releasing Stories – with a unique dual camera mode, granular privacy settings, flexible duration options and detailed view statistics. Stories can be edited at any time and can also be posted to your profile in a scrollable grid.

On Telegram since August 14, 2023:

April 2023

Shareable Chat Folders, Custom Wallpapers and More

Chat Folders can be shared via link, letting contacts join dozens of chats with one tap. Specific chats can get a custom wallpaper to make them stand out. Web Apps can be launched from any chat via @mentions and direct links.

Shareable Chat Folders, Custom Wallpapers and More

On Telegram since April 21, 2023

March 2023

Power Saving Mode and More

Animations and effects can be disabled with Power Saving Mode to improve performance and extend battery life. Granular playback speeds from 0.2x to 2.5x become available for media. Read receipts in small groups show at what time each person read the message.

Power Saving Mode and More

On Telegram since March 8, 2023

February

Profile Photo Maker, Translating Entire Chats, Emoji Categories and More

Custom profile pictures can be created from stickers and emoji. Premium users gain the ability to translate full chats in one tap. Emoji categories help you find the correct sticker, emoji, reaction or status.

Profile Photo Maker, Translating Entire Chats, Emoji Categories and More

On Telegram since February 3, 2023

2022

December 2022, Second Update

Hidden Media, Zero Storage Usage, New Drawing Tools, Profile Pictures for Your Contacts, and More

A spoiler effect (added in 2021) becomes available for photos and videos – blurring media until recipients tap to view it.

Anyone can replace profile pictures of their contacts or suggest public profile pictures for others. Users who restrict who can see their profile photo are able to set a public photo that is shown to everyone else.

Storage Usage (added in 2015) receives detailed pie charts, separate settings to auto-remove cached media by chat type, and dedicated tabs to quickly clear large media items.

The media editor (added in 2015) is completely redesigned, automatically smoothing lines and dynamically changing their width. A blur tool is added, as well as preset shapes and multiple font and background styles for text – also allowing all users to add custom emoji.

Hidden Media, Zero Storage Usage, New Drawing Tools, Profile Pictures for Your Contacts, and More

On Telegram since December 30, 2022:

December 2022, First Update

No-SIM Signup, Auto-Delete All Chats, Topics 2.0 and More

Anonymous Numbers arrived on Fragment – allowing any Telegram user to sign up without a SIM card or change the number of their current account to something anonymous.

A new setting in Privacy and Security gave users the option to set messages to self-destruct in all new chats, or quickly enable auto-delete for any of their existing chats.

Telegram's moderators have stopped millions of scammers with the help of advanced algorithms and years of experience. This update made those same tools available in large groups – admins can enable Aggressive Anti-Spam to unleash the full power of Telegram's anti-spam tools in their chat.

Support for temporary QR codes was added to the QR Code page in Settings. Users without a username who also hide their phone number from everyone can generate temporary codes that can only be scanned for 5 minutes – letting others add them as a contact.

No-SIM Signup, Auto-Delete All Chats, Topics 2.0 and More

On Telegram since December 6, 2022:

Android-specific

iOS-specific

October 2022

Topics in Groups, Collectible Usernames, Voice-to-Text for Video Messages and More

Classic internet forums were reborn in large groups, allowing communities to organize discussions into topics – each with its own chat history, shared media and notification settings.

Users got the option to securely exchange Telegram domains in the form of collectible usernames on a new platform powered by the TON blockchain. In addition to a basic username, any user profile, public group or public channel can have multiple collectible usernames that link to it from search results, @mentions or their unique t.me links.

Voice-to-Text was also added for video messages, giving Premium users convenient captions when needed.

Topics in Groups, Collectible Usernames, Voice-to-Text for Video Messages and More

On Telegram since November 5, 2022:

September 2022

Infinite Reactions, Emoji Statuses and Much More

Reactions were expanded in this update, adding a new menu with dozens of emoji to choose from. Premium users gained the ability add up to 3 reactions on a message and use any custom emoji, giving them infinite options.

Premium users also unlocked emoji statuses – placing any emoji next to their name to let others know that they're working, traveling, sleeping and more.

A new format for username links was added, giving anyone the option to share a link to their public profile, group or channel with username.t.me, in addition to t.me/username.

Infinite Reactions, Emoji Statuses and Much More

On Telegram since September 16, 2022:

Android-specific

August 2022

Telegram Emoji Platform, Custom Animated Emoji Packs, Gifting Telegram Premium, and More

The Telegram Emoji Platform was introduced, allowing animated emoji that move in messages and captions. Any users can create custom emoji packs for Telegram Premium users.

Premium users received a new privacy setting to restrict voice and video messages, as well as the ability to give Telegram Premium as a gift – at a discount.

Telegram Emoji Platform, Custom Animated Emoji Packs, Gifting Telegram Premium, and More

On Telegram since August 12, 2022:

iOS-specific:

June 2022

700 Million Users and Telegram Premium

Telegram reached a new milestone – celebrating over 700 million active users. To help support the app's continued development, Telegram Premium was launched – a subscription service that unlocks powerful, exclusive features.

Premium users gained the ability to upload 4 GB files and download files faster, as well as doubled limits and advanced chat management options. They also got access to Premium stickers with full-screen effects and several unique reactions. A new button was added to voice messages, which Premium subscribers could tap to transcribe the audio.

This update also included changes for all Telegram users – like enabling join requests for public groups, as well as several app-specific features.

700 Million Users and Telegram Premium

On Telegram since June 19, 2022:

Android-specific:

iOS-specific:

macOS-specific:

April 2022

Notification Sounds, Bot Revolution and More

Since this update, any short audio file or voice message can be used as a custom notification tone and assigned to any chats.

Temporary mute durations were expanded – adding the option to mute notifications for a specfic duration.

Reply context was added to forwarded messages – now showing which messages are in reply to others.

Bots were given an entirely new level of customization, Web Apps, supporting infinitely flexible JavaScript interfaces that are capable of replacing entire websites.

Notification Sounds, Bot Revolution and More

On Telegram since April 16, 2022:

March 2022

Download Manager, New Attachment Menu, Live Streaming With Other Apps and More

Actively downloading media and files were given a new tab in Search – where users can pause, resume and prioritize their active downloads.

The attachment menu received a preview window – after selecting multiple items, you can drag to reorder them or change your selection.

This update also added support for phone number links, making it easy to contact a business or user (depending on their privacy settings).

Live broadcasts with unlimited viewers were introduced the year before – while this update included integration for streaming software like OBS and XSplit to manage inputs, graphics and more.

Download Manager, New Attachment Menu, Live Streaming With Other Apps and More

On Telegram since March 11, 2022:

January 2022

Video Stickers, Better Reactions and More

A new sticker format was added based on .webm videos, letting anyone create high-detail animations or convert their favorite GIFs – without needing specialized software.

When moving between chats or jumping through unread channels, users gained the ability to return to a specific chat by holding the ‘Back’ button.

Video Stickers, Better Reactions and More

On Telegram since January 31, 2022:

2021

December 2021, Second Update

Reactions, Spoilers, Translation and QR Codes

Telegram’s unique interactive emoji became available as reactions – giving users the ability to directly share their feelings on messages.

Spoiler formatting was introduced, allowing anyone to hide parts of a message under a special animation.

Message translation was brought to Settings > Language, adding a dedicated button to translate any message directly in the app.

Customizable QR codes were included for all public usernames – including users, groups, channels and bots – to quickly share a chat in any app.

Reactions, Spoilers, Translation and QR Codes

On Telegram since December 30, 2021:

December 2021, First Update

Protected Content, Delete by Date, Device Management and More

A new setting was added to Groups and Channels that allows creators to keep their content exclusive by restricting message forwarding – while also preventing screenshots and limiting the ability to save media.

The option to delete all messages from a day or range of dates was added to 1-on-1 chats, giving users a way to clear specific sections of chat history.

The Devices menu in Settings was fully redesigned, including a new auto-logout timer for inactive sessions and the ability to toggle whether a specific device can accept incoming calls or Secret Chats.

In Public Groups and Channel Comments, users were given the choice to send messages anonymously – appearing as one of their public channels instead of their personal account.

Protected Content, Delete by Date, Device Management and More

On Telegram since December 7, 2021:

Android-Specific:

iOS-Specific:

November 2021

Hyper-Speed Scrolling and Calendar View for Shared Media, Join Requests, Global Chat Themes on iOS and More

Accelerated scrolling and pinch to zoom for media thumbnails were added to Shared Media to find past photos, videos, files (and more) even faster. Tapping the date bar opens a calendar view, with media previews for each date.

Join requests let group and channel admins confirm new members before they are allowed join. This creates new options for communities – like a special superfans chat or super-secret channel.

Hyper-Speed Scrolling and Calendar View for Shared Media, Join Requests, Global Chat Themes on iOS and More

On Telegram since November 3, 2021:

**iOS-Specific:

September 2021

Chat Themes, Interactive Emoji, Read Receipts in Groups and Live Stream Recording

It became possible to set different themes for individual private chats – for both participants. The release included 8 new themes, each with their own day and night versions, gradient message bubbles, animated backgrounds, and unique patterns.

Nonverbal communication got a boost with interactive emoji: tapping on animated versions of 🎆 🎉 🎈 👍 💩 or ❤️ launches fullscreen effects that appear simultaneously for both chat partners. Vibrations are also synched, so you can almost touch someone's hand – even if you're far apart.

A new Seen By field was added to outgoing messages in smaller Group Chats, allowing you to see which members have read it. To protect privacy, these read receipts are stored only for 7 days.

The ability to record video came to Live Streams and Video Chats, so communities can save and share anything from online lectures to rock concerts. You can choose to record the video file in portrait or landscape orientation, and the file is instantly uploaded to your Saved Messages once you stop recording.

Live Streams, Flexible Forwarding, Jump to Next Channel, Trending Stickers and More

On Telegram since September 19, 2021:

August 2021

Live Streams, Flexible Forwarding, Jump to Next Channel, Trending Stickers and More

Live video with unlimited viewers became available for both groups and channels. Voice chats were, consequently, renamed to Video Chats (in groups) and Live Streams (in channels).

Forwarding became even more flexible with new options: a preview window that shows how messages will appear after they are forwarded and lets you hide sender names from messages or remove captions from media.

Channels became easier to navigate. Swiping up at the bottom of the channel brings you to the next unread channel. Catching up with the news is now possible without going back to the chat list.

Live Streams, Flexible Forwarding, Jump to Next Channel, Trending Stickers and More

On Telegram since August 31, 2021:

July 2021

Video Calls with up to 1000 Viewers, Video Messages 2.0, Video Playback Speed and More

Group Video Calls could now have up to 1000 viewers (previously 30), in addition to unlimited audio-only listeners.

Video Messages got a brand new look – recording in higher resolution with options to expand the message and fast-**forward** or rewind while watching. Additionally, audio from your device would continue playing while you recorded, and you could zoom in when recording with the rear camera.

Screen Sharing was added to 1-on-1 video calls (previously existed in groups), and included sound from the users device when broadcasting in both individual and group video calls.

Video Calls with up to 1000 Viewers, Video Messages 2.0, Video Playback Speed and More

On Telegram since July 30, 2021:

Desktop-specific:

iOS-specific:

June 2021, Second update

Animated Backgrounds

Animated Chat Backgrounds were added to all default themes – moving beautifully with each message. Users could pick from dozens of presets or create their own custom backgrounds with 3 or 4 colors in the theme editor.

New sending animations were given to stickers and emoji, making them jump from the keyboard to the chat.

A menu button was created for chats with bots, displaying all its commands as well as placeholders to give users an example of what to send. Bot developers also got the ability to display flexible lists of commands that change based on a user’s language, chat type, admin status and more.

We released an API to help developers build tools that let users import stickers from other apps, or easily make stickers from their own content.

Animated Backgrounds

On Telegram since June 25, 2021:

iOS-specific:

June 2021, First update

Group Video Calls

Group Video Calls came to Telegram, adding video to (now awkwardly named) voice chats in groups. Users could turn on their camera or share their screen from any device – including tablets and desktop.

Tablets and Desktops got custom display options – including an expanding side panel for split-screen mode. Desktop also offered selective screensharing, letting users choose a specific program to broadcast.

Noise supression was implemented in voice chats, eliminating background noise and boosting audio quality on all devices.

Group Video Calls

On Telegram since June 25, 2021

Desktop-specific:

April 2021

Payments 2.0, Scheduled Voice Chats, New Web Versions

Payments were first supported in chats with Telegram bots in 2017. This time, merchants received the ability to accept credit cards in any Telegram chat using one of 8 integrated payment providers. Telegram doesn't store credit card info and charges no commission.

Voice Chats were further improved with scheduling, showing a countdown timer and allowing users to get a notification when the chat starts.

Two new web versions were launched, adding full support for features like animated stickers, chat folders and dark mode. Both work well in desktop and mobile browsers.

Payments 2.0, Scheduled Voice Chats, New Web Versions

On Telegram since April 26, 2021:

March 2021

Voice Chats 2.0: Channels, Millions of Listeners, Recorded Chats, Admin Tools

Voice Chats first appeared in Telegram groups in December 2020. Three months later they became available in channels, with support for millions of live listeners.

Admins got the option to record voice chats and create instant podcasts, as well as choose titles for their voice chats and add users via specific Speaker and Listener links. Muted listeners could raise their hand to let admins know they wanted a turn to speak.

Public figures, celebrities and other users who prefer to keep their personal accounts hidden got the ability to join voice chats as one of their channels.

Voice Chats 2.0: Channels, Millions of Listeners, Recorded Chats, Admin Tools

On Telegram since March 19, 2021:

February 2021

Auto-Delete, Widgets and Expiring Invite Links

Telegram has had self-destructing messages since 2013 in Secret Chats, but this update added an auto-delete timer for any chat to erase messages either 24 hours or 7 days after sending.

Two customizable home screen widget styles became available for both Android and iOS, giving users the option to show previews of recent messages on their home screen, or shortcuts to chats.

Invite links for groups and channels were upgraded, allowing for additional links with a limited duration or number of uses that can also be converted into QR codes.

Broadcast Groups were introduced, allowing large communities to have unlimited members. Only admins can send messages in Broadcast Groups, but everyone can still read along and join voice chats.

Auto-Delete, Widgets and Expiring Invite Links

On Telegram since February 23, 2021

January 2021

Moving Chat History from Other Apps

Over 100 million new users joined Telegram within one month, bringing their friends and families with them. After January's update, they could also bring their old message histories from other apps. Users can now import messages and media from apps like WhatsApp, Line and KakaoTalk.

In addition to deleting messages for both sides without a trace (2019), call history, and groups users created could also be deleted for all participants at any time. While secret chat messages disappeared for both sides since 2013, this update made it possible to remove entire Secret Chats from the chat lists of both participants.

Voice Chats got two improvements: users could see active voice chats from their groups at the top of the Call History page, and got the ability to adjust the volume of individual participants inside the chat.

This update also improved the audio player, accessibility, and added the ability to report fake groups and channels impersonating famous people or organizations.

Moving Chat History from Other Apps

On Telegram since January 28, 2021

2020

December 2020

Voice Chats Done Right

We closed the year by adding a new dimension to groups with Voice Chats – persistent conference calls that run in parallel to existing text and media-based communication in the group. Voice Chats add a live layer of ephemeral talk to the group and can be used as virtual office spaces or informal lounges for any community.

Android users got an option to use their SD Card for storing Telegram data. iOS users received support for Siri's Announce Messages feature. iOS and Android caught up with each other to offer equal opportunities for drawing moustaches on selfies editing photos and other media.

We've unveiled a public platform for suggesting features and reporting issues at bugs.tg.k8s.li/static.

Pavel Durov also presented a strategy for making Telegram sustainable for decades to come.

Voice Chats Done Right

On Telegram since December 23, 2020

iOS-specific:

October 2020

Pinned Messages 2.0, Improved Live Locations, Playlists and More

Pinned Messages were upgraded, allowing for multiple pinned messages in all chats, including one-on-one chats.

Distance Alerts were added to live locations, giving users the option to receive a notification when another location-sharing user gets close. The map icons were updated as well, to show which way a user is facing.

Playlist and album support was added for files – sending multiple audio tracks will create a playlist, while sending multiple files creates an album.

Channel Statistics were expanded to include detailed metrics about reach and engagement for individual posts in a channel.

Pinned Messages 2.0, Improved Live Locations, Playlists and More

On Telegram since October 30, 2020

Android-specific:

September 2020

Search Filters, Anonymous Admins, Channel Comments and More

Global Search received new filters: typing a chat name or time period adds filters by date and source, and media tabs at the top of the screen sort results by type, like Files or Links.

Support for Anonymous Admins was added to groups. When enabled, the admin’s name is hidden in the list of group members and their messages are signed with the group name instead, similar to channel posts.

Comments were added to Channels with a linked discussion group. Subscribers will see a comment button under each post, where they can share their thoughts on the latest updates. To try channel comments, head over to @durov.

Search Filters, Anonymous Admins, Channel Comments and More

On Telegram since September 30, 2020:

Android-specific:

August 2020

Video Calls and Seven Years of Telegram

In celebration of Telegram’s 7th Anniversary and its status as one of the world's top 10 apps, the first version of Video Calls was launched for Telegram’s mobile and desktop platforms.

All video calls are secured with end-to-end encryption and support picture-in-picture mode, so users can search and send messages without closing the call.

Video Calls and Seven Years of Telegram

On Telegram since August 14, 2020:

July 2020

Profile Videos, 2 GB File Sharing, Group Stats, Improved People Nearby and More

Users got the option to add motion pictures to their profile page with Profile Videos. People Nearby was improved to make finding friends in your local community even easier.

For users who receive a notable number of messages from non-contacts, a switch was added to automatically archive and mute new chats from people not in their contacts.

The update also included a series of expanded features: the upload size for media and files was increased to 2 GB (previously 1.5 GB), detailed statistics became available for large groups, and the default icons used in the chat list for photos, videos and links were replaced with mini-thumbnails of the sent media.

Profile Videos, 2 GB File Sharing, Group Stats, Improved People Nearby and More

On Telegram since July 26, 2020:

Android-specific:

  • Crop and Rotate videos (on iOS since time immemorial)

Telegram Desktop:

June 2020

Video Editor, Animated Photos, Better GIFs and More

The photo editor was tranformed into a universal media editor – adding the ability to edit and enhance visuals for video, put animated stickers on any media, and zoom in when drawing or decorating (just to name a few).

The GIF panel got upgraded, adding emoji-based sections and a Trending tab for the most relevant and popular expressions. To make them even easier to search and scroll through, loading times were greatly improved.

Video Editor, Animated Photos, Better GIFs and More

On Telegram since June 4, 2020:

Android-Specific:

April 2020, Second Update

400 Million Users, 20,000 Stickers, Quizzes 2.0 and €400K for Creators of Educational Tests

To celebrate 400 million active users, the sticker panel was revamped, allowing users to scroll and search through thousands of popular stickers from professional artists.

The Quiz Polls introduced in January 2020 received new tools geared toward educational tests, including explanations and a timer animation. With the need for online learning tools at a new high, a €400K contest was announced to help build a platform for educational tests on Telegram.

400 Million Active Users

On Telegram since April 24, 2020:

Android-specific:

MacOS-specific:

April 2020, First Update

Coronavirus News and Verified Channels

While the world locked down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Ministries began creating Telegram channels to keep their citizens informed of the latest updates. To help facilitate the spread of accurate information, the channel verification process was streamlined with a new @VerifyBot and a directory was created to help users find official coronavirus news sources for their country.

Coronavirus News and Verified Channels

On Telegram since April 3, 2020:

March 2020

Chat Folders, Channel Stats and More

Expanding on Archived Chats from 2019, Chat Folders were added that let users filter their chat list into custom categories. Folders support unlimited pins, and sync across all devices on the account to keep everything organized.

Channel Stats were also introduced, giving channels with more than 1000 subscribers analytics and graphs to track post performance and overall growth.

Chat Folders, Channel Stats and More

On Telegram since March 2020:

February 2020

New Profiles, Fast Media Viewer and People Nearby 2.0

This Valentine-themed update made it easier to make friends and view media. Profile pages were redesigned with instant access to Shared Media and users got the option to flip through photos and videos simply by tapping on them.
People Nearby was updated so users could make themselves visible to others in their area, displaying their profile even if they closed the app (until they selected ‘Stop Showing Me’).

New Profiles, Fast Media Viewer and People Nearby 2.0

On Telegram since February 2020:

January 2020

Polls 2.0: Visible Votes, Multiple Answers, and Quiz Mode

Focused on polls, the first update of 2020 added plenty of ways to get competitive – or organized - in groups and channels. Polls 2.0 introduced options to show users’ votes and the ability to select more than one answer, as well as quiz-style polls, complete with a platform for making quizzes.

A new slider was added to adjust how round or square chat bubbles appear, and Android users received numerical progress counters to track uploads and downloads (previously iOS-only).

TITLE

On Telegram since January 2020:

2019

December 2019

Verifiable Builds, New Theme Editor, Send When Online and So Much More

On the final day of 2019, security researchers got the tools needed to confirm that the open source code we post on GitHub is the same that can be downloaded from App Store and Google Play.

The Theme Editor leveled up to 2.0, adding gradient colors, new background patterns and more default color schemes. Scheduled Messages were expanded with a setting to send when your recipient comes online. Android and iOS both got a slew of other usability and design upgrades.

Verifiable Builds, New Theme Editor, Send When Online and So Much More

On Telegram since December 2019:

Android-specific:

iOS-specific:

September 2019

Scheduled Messages, Reminders, Custom Cloud Themes and More Privacy

The end of summer brought scheduled messages and reminders to better keep track of important tasks and appointments. On the visual side, shareable Custom Cloud Themes came to all platforms, along with more animated emoji.

An important privacy option was added for those who need it most – Who Can Find Me By My Phone Number. This new setting can prevent random users (or government organizations) from being able to match a number from their device's contacts to your Telegram account.

Scheduled Messages, Reminders, Custom Cloud Themes and More Privacy

On Telegram since September 2019:

August 2019

Silent Messages, Slow Mode, Admin Titles and More

The August update brought a way to send silent messages – which result in a notification without sound. We also added custom titles and a slow mode for group admins.

Following the success of animated stickers, this update also introduced animated emoji for ❤️, 👍, 😒, 😳 and 🥳. More followed.

Silent Messages, Slow Mode, Admin Titles and More

On Telegram since August 2019:

July 2019

Animated Stickers Done Right

The July update introduced animated stickers. We managed to achieve a smooth 60 FPS at just 20-30 KB per sticker. Animated stickers consume less bandwith than static ones and less battery than GIFs, while commanding more attention than the two combined.

Here are some sample animated sets in case you missed them: Hot Cherry, Tidy Tie Tom, Resistance Dog, Fred the Pug, Melie the Cavy, Earl the Wolf, Egg Yolk

These stickers are powered with uranium and dreams and are guaranteed to keep going forever.

Animated Stickers Done Right

On Telegram since July 2019:

June 2019

Location-Based Chats, Adding Contacts Without Phone Numbers and More

The June update focused on making it easier to add people to contacts. A universal Add button was introduced to all new chats, making it possible to add users to contacts even if you don't know their number yet.

A new Add People Nearby section was created to quickly exchange numbers with people close to you. The new section also allows creating location-based public chats.

Location-Based Chats, Adding Contacts Without Phone Numbers and More

On Telegram since June 2019:

May 2019, Second Update

Focused Privacy, Discussion Groups, Seamless Web Bots and More

The second May update made Telegram Privacy Settings even more flexible. You can add whole groups to 'Never Share' or 'Always Share' exceptions. Settings will adjust automatically as people join and leave the groups.

On Telegram, your phone number was never visible to random people in groups, the default being 'My Contacts'. This update offered even more control via Settings > Privacy & Security > Phone Number.

The update also introduced an easier way to integrate web services with Telegram, adding one-tap authorization via bots. Last but not least, it offered two new ways of adding comments to channels – via Comments.app and connected discussion groups. (We didn't start the flame war.)

Focused Privacy, Discussion Groups, Seamless Web Bots and More

On Telegram since May 31, 2019:

May 2019, First Update

Archived Chats, a New Design on Android and More

The first May update introduced Archived Chats. Unmuted chats pop out of the archive with the next incoming message – but muted chats stay archived forever (or until they generate a notification via a mention or reply). An unlimited number of chats can be pinned in the archive.

Android design got a major overhaul. Aside from the visual improvements, this update added a three-lines-per-chat view option for the Android chat list (similar to the iOS default), as well as bulk actions in the chats list to easily delete, archive or mute multiple chats at once.

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On Telegram since May 9, 2019:

March 2019

Taking Back Our Right to Privacy

Before the March update, you could delete your messages within 48 hours of sending them. As of this update, you can delete any message you've ever sent or received in any private chat, there's no time limit. This also applies to clearing entire chats. The deleted messages don't leave a mark in the chat.

This update also introduced a setting for Anonymous Forwards, allowing you to control when messages forwarded from your account link back to it. This way people you chat with have no verifiable proof you ever sent them anything.

Taking Back Our Right to Privacy

On Telegram since March 2019:

February 2019

Autoplaying Videos, Automatic Downloads and Multiple Accounts

Following the February update, smaller videos start playing without sound when they reach your screen. Pressing the volume buttons on your device unmutes them.

This update also introduced presets for autodownload settings to switch between Low, Medium, High and Custom data consumption in a few taps. Default settings for data usage have become more generous but depend on the affordability of mobile data in each particular country.

As of this update, iOS users can also log in to Telegram with multiple accounts from one app, easily switch between them and get notifications. Support for multiple accounts was added to Android in December 2017.

Autoplaying Videos, Automatic Downloads and Multiple Accounts

On Telegram since February 2019

January 2019, Second Update

Chat Backgrounds 2.0: Make Your Own

The second update in January brought chat wallpapers to version 2.0, adding support for motion and blur effects, plain color backgrounds and patterns, as well as an option to share backgrounds via links and find new ones in search.

For those who appreciate art history, the classical Telegram backgrounds which were used at launch can be found here.

Chat Backgrounds 2.0: Make Your Own

On Telegram since January 31, 2019

January 2019, First Update

Group Permissions, Undo Delete and More

The first January update brought group permissions, allowing admins to restrict all members from posting specific kinds of content or even from messaging altogether. The maximum size for groups was doubled to 200,000 members.

The update also added an 'Undo' option after deleting chats or clearing history. It's like a time machine, but with fewer paradoxes.

Group Permissions, Undo Delete and More

On Telegram since January 21, 2019

2018

December 2018, Second Update

Polls: Bringing Choice to Communities

As of the second update from December '18, Telegram users can create polls in groups and channels, letting group members vote anonymously.

Poll bots have been available since the dawn of the Bot Platform.

Polls: Bringing Choice to Communities

On Telegram since December 22, 2018

December 2018, First Update

Custom Languages, Instant View 2.0 and More

This first December update in 2018 revolutionized app interfaces, adding custom languages – whether that's Māori, Scottish Gaelic or Transliterated Klingon. Qapla'. Users can share translated language packs with dedicated sharing links.

Everyday be talk like a pirate day if ye've downloaded the pirate speak chest. Babel fish now optional.

Custom Languages, Instant View 2.0 and More

On Telegram since December 10, 2018

October 2018

Introducing Telegram 5.0 for iOS

Telegram for iOS was rebuilt from scratch for this update – using the Swift programming language. The new client is slicker, faster and more battery-friendly. If the old Telegram was a race car, this one is a race car with jet engines and a well-caffeinated driver.

New badge counter settings were added on iOS, allowing users to exclude messages from muted chats or count unread chats instead of messages.

The native macOS client added swipe gestures to navigate interfaces. MacBook Pro owners got touch bar support.

Telegram 5.0 for iOS

On Telegram since October 2018

August 2018

Chat Export Tool, Better Notifications and More

This update brought an easy way to download copies of your chats, including photos and other media using Telegram Desktop. August '18 also saw the birth of Notification Exceptions – a way to customize notification settings for particular users.

Telegram dude rides a horse-drawn cart with boxes away from a great safe in the clouds.

On Telegram since August 2018

July 2018

Introducing Telegram Passport

Telegram Passport was launched as a unified authorization service for ICOs, financial services and other platforms based on real-life ID. You no longer have to upload scans of your ID each time a different service requires it.

Telegram people show their IDs at a counter while dressed up as Korben and Lilu Dallas from the 'Fifth Element'.

On Telegram since July 2018

June 2018

Replace Media, Share vCards, Mark as Unread, 2X Voice Messages, and More

The June '18 update brought the ability to replace photos and videos when editing messages – in case you accidentally sent a picture of your lunch instead of the company's new logo.

As of this update, voice and video messages can be played at 2x speed and users can mark chats as read or unread.

The Telegram lady approaches Leonardo da Vinci who is busy refreshing his Mona Lisa in the Louvre museum. He is wearing 2X headphones and is also offering booklets which likely symbolize vCards.

On Telegram since June 2018:

March 2018

Sticker Search, Multiple Photos and More

Since they were introduced, stickers have become a key method of communication for many Telegram users. As of this update, users can search for new sticker packs.

I'm not addicted to sending stickers. I can stop any time.

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200,000,000 Monthly Active Users

Telegram has never been promoted with ads, so every user joined because they were invited by others. Telegram is more than a messaging app, it's the idea that everyone on the planet has a right to be free.

Telegram lady in aviator costume leans against her spacecraft on an alien beach, watching a sky full of paper-plane-shaped spaceships traveling between planets.

On Telegram since March 2018:

February 2018

Two updates were launched on February 6, 2018.

Streaming and Auto-Night Mode on Android

This was when the apps got streaming support, allowing you to view videos without waiting for them to fully download. This update also introduced auto-night mode for Android users, shielding weary eyes from bright light when browsing memes in bed.

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Telegram Login for Websites

Another update introduced the Telegram Login Widget for external websites, empowering businesses to use Telegram bots to automate anything from customer support to accepting payments or tracking shipments.

TITLE

On Telegram since February 2018

January 2018

Two updates were launched on January 31, 2018.

Telegram X: Progress through Competition

Two Telegram X clients were unveiled as alternatives to the main iOS and Android apps – built from the ground up to be faster and easier to use, while featuring smooth animations and a sleek design. Telegram X for iOS has since become the native client on iPhones around the world.

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TDLib - Build Your Own Telegram

The Telegram Database Library helps developers make their own versions of Telegram – and was used to create Telegram X for Android. TDLib handles network implementation, encryption, and local storage, giving third-party developers more time to focus on the fun parts of app design. All the API methods are fully documented and the code is available on GitHub.

Both Telegram X and the Telegram Bot API are an example of what can be done with this library.

TITLE

On Telegram since January 2018

2017

December 2017

Themes, Multiple Accounts and More

Themes came to iOS, with simple 'Day' and 'Night' options. We considered adding a 'Twilight' option but it got sabotaged by lovesick vampires and werewolves.

Adding replies became even easier by swiping left on any message.

Android added support for multiple accounts, to quickly switch between up to three profiles (or personalities) without logging out.

TITLE

On Telegram since December 2017

November 2017

Albums, Saved Messages and Better Search

Albums and Saved Messages came to Telegram in November as a way to cut down on clutter and keep things organized. Multiple media items could be sent as one message, neatly arranged instead of filling up the chat with individual messages and multiple notifications.

Saved Messages brought bookmarks and personal storage, giving users the ability to forward messages there for later reference.

TITLE

On Telegram since November 2017

October 2017

Live Locations, Media Player and Languages

October '17 expanded location sharing to include a live feed, useful for finding your friends or seeing how far they are from a destination. The interactive maps support multiple users, so your entire group can share their locations and see each other in one place.

Telegram also expanded its localization, launching the Translations Platform for users to refine the currently-available translations.

TITLE

On Telegram since October 2017

August 2017

Better Replies, Stickers & Invitations

Keeping track of replies and mentions was streamlined in August’s update, adding the new '@' badge to the chat list, and '@' button inside chats to jump from mention to mention.

The option to set favorite stickers was added, while groups got the ability to choose official sticker sets.

TITLE

On Telegram since August 2017

July 2017

Disappearing Media, Your Bio & More Speed

July’s update added a self-destruct timer for photos and videos to give users the option to send disappearing media in Private Chats.

To help say a little more about themselves, user profiles were given a bio section.

TITLE

On Telegram since July 2017

June 2017

Supergroups 10,000: Admin Tools & More

Groups leveled up in June '17, increasing the maximum members to 10,000 and introducing a suite of new tools to manage the masses.

Admin permissions became individual, allowing for specific privileges. So did members’, meaning people could be put under custom restrictions for acting up.

The Recent Actions page was added for admins, showing a summary of all notable group activity within the past 48 hours.

TITLE

On Telegram since June 2017

May 2017

Three updates were released on May 18, 2017.

Video Messages and Telescope
Just in time for Summer, video messages were introduced to add another dimension to chats and channels.

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Instant Views for Everyone & a $200K Contest

Instant View grew into a platform for reformatting articles from the Web into lightweight, uniform pages which instantly open in Telegram, rather than a browser. A contest to create new templates was launched.

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Payments for Bots
Bot payments joined the pool party as well, so users could pay for goods and services right in the app.

TITLE

On Telegram since May 2017

March 2017

Voice Calls: Secure, Crystal-Clear, AI-Powered

March '17 brought voice calls to Telegram, featuring end-to-end encryption, crisp sound and incredible speed.

The video editor received a compression slider to change the quality at which a video is sent.

TITLE

On Telegram since March 2017

February 2017

Custom Themes

Custom themes first came to the Android phone app, along with a theme editor, giving users the ability to recolor individual elements and share their creations with others.

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Telegram Desktop reaches version 1.0 – and it's BEAUTIFUL

Telegram Desktop, first launched in January '14, reached version 1.0, with a new design, refined animations and custom theme support, in addition to all its earlier features.

The GMail bot made its debut as well, allowing users to condense all their communications into one platform.

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Telegram for Android Wear 2.0

Telegram came to wrists with its Android Wear 2.0 version, featuring fully-functional messaging capability, plus added themes to keep things chic.

TITLE

On Telegram since February 2017

January 2017

Unsend Messages, Network Usage, and More

Telegram rang in the New Year with the ability to unsend messages sent within the past 48 hours without leaving any traces in the chat. (In 2019, this was expanded in to deleting any messages, sent or received, for both sides – and the time limit was removed.)

To keep track of users' data consumption, Network Usage was added to Settings.

TITLE

On Telegram since January 2017

2016

December 2016, Second Update

Meet the Telegraph API for Logins and Stats

The Telegraph API opened to the public in the final update of 2016. Publishing and organizing articles gained automated support with the new @Telegraph bot.

TITLE

On Telegram since December 20, 2016

December 2016, First Update

Pinned Chats and IFTTT Integrations

Conversation management became easier with the option to pin chats to the top of the chat list.

IFTTT integration was introduced to help link Telegram to over 360 services at launch. This gives users control over their accounts on other services straight from the Telegram app – including social media, mail clients and even things like smart appliances or other devices.

TITLE

On Telegram since December 7, 2016

November 2016

Instant View, Telegraph, and Other Goodies

TITLE

Instant View came in November 2016, instantly loading articles and web pages all inside the Telegram app. Added in the same update, the Telegraph platform is a minimalist word processor compatible with Instant View, designed for quickly publishing documents and articles.

On Telegram since November 2016

This is where wide full-color illustrations for our blog posts end – or begin, depending on which direction you just came from.

October 2016

Gaming Platform 1.0

With winter not far off, Telegram introduced a Games platform that allows users to play games through bots. Players get the chance to challenge friends, while creators have an easy and accessible way to bring their game ideas to life.

On Telegram since October 2016

September 2016

Photo Editor 2.0, Masks and Homemade GIFs

In September '16, the time came to improve Telegram's Photo Editor with fun new decorations like masks, text, stickers and drawings. Additionally, the video editor added the ability to make GIFs out of videos by tapping its new 'Mute' button.

On Telegram since September 2016

August 2016

Trending Stickers, Storage and More

A Trending Stickers option was added so popular sticker packs can be easily found and added to one's collection. Groups received previews so prospective members can see what they're about and who's in them before joining the party.

On Telegram since August 2016

June 2016

Drafts, Picture-in-Picture, and More

June '16 brought cross-platform cloud drafts, syncing your unfinished messages across devices. Since then, users have been able to start typing on one device and finish on another. For more multitasking, Picture-in-Picture support was added to let users work and watch simultaneously.

On Telegram since June 2016

May 2016

Edit Messages, New Mentions and More

Fast typers rejoiced as the ability to edit sent messages was introduced in all chats. Mentions were expanded to include users without usernames, and Bots were given their own space in the attachment menu for easy access.

On Telegram since May 2016

April 2016, Second Update

Instant Camera and More 3D Touch

Instant camera was added so users could snap and send photos faster, saving the extra thumb-work to make sure the moment is captured.

On Telegram since April 28, 2016

April 2016, First Update

Bot Platform 2.0

Starting in April 2016, inline bots no longer require you to use a keyboard. These software-controlled friends now immediately present clickable options to get results with no typing required. They were also integrated with services like YouTube and Foursquare for easy video and location sharing.

Sharing and Previews

This update gave users a new way of sharing media between chats, introducing GIF and sticker previews to make the selection process more straightforward.

On Telegram since April 12, 2016

March 2016

Supergroups 5000: Public Groups, Pinned Posts

To keep order as supergroups grew from 1,000 members to 5,000, important announcements could be placed at the top of the screen as pinned messages. Additional moderation tools were introduced that helped prevent spam in public supergroups. This included the ability to report spam, ban a user outright, or simply erase all of their posts from the group.

On Telegram since March 2016

February 2016, Second Update

Channels 2.0 and More

Channels got plenty of new features including admin signatures and silent broadcasts. It became possible to edit your messages in channels and supergroups.

On Telegram since February 24, 2016

February 2016, First Update

Voice Messages 2.0, Secret Chats 3.0 and…

Chatting got easier with raise-to-speak and raise-to-listen functionality, streamlining voice messages by giving a no-tap way to play and record. On the privacy end, users got the ability to restrict who can invite them to groups and channels.

On Telegram since February 12, 2016

January 2016

Introducing Inline Bots

Inline bots make it possible to use bot services in any chat without adding those bots as members – you just start any message with their username and everything that comes after becomes a query for the bot. These utilities can link Wikipedia articles, post YouTube videos or search for GIFs to entertain friends. Unfortunately, while being very good at fetch, they still can't pull a sled – even after all these years.

GIF Revolution

GIF file size was reduced by 95%, making them load 20x faster. Autoplay for all GIFs was enabled to show off their new-found speed.

On Telegram since January 2016

2015

December 2015

Clearing Cache and Reordering Stickers

The space-saving option of clearing cache was introduced, including chat-by-chat specificity. This was coupled with a setting to choose how long to keep media before it gets deleted from the cache (to be re-downloaded from the cloud should you need it again).

On Telegram since December 2015

November 2015

Admins, Supergroups and More

This update added the admin role. Admins have the power to manage group chats and enforce rules. Just in time, as the maximum number of users for group chats grew to 1,000 people with the addition of supergroups.

On Telegram since November 2015

September 2015

Channels: Broadcasting Done Right

September '15 brought channels, the perfect tool for broadcasting messages to the masses. Channels can have unlimited followers, offer view counters for each post and only let the admins post. These one-way chats give updates the spotlight by moving the discussion elsewhere. Channels were quickly adopted in regions where freedom of speech falls short.

On Telegram since September 2015

August 2015

Shared Links and Recent Searches

Telegram delivered quality of life updates in August '15, showing shared links on chat info pages as well as a list of recent searches when beginning a new one.

On Telegram since August 2015

July 2015

In-App Media Playback and Search in Chats

This update added the ability to view media, enjoy music and watch videos from external sources directly in the app. Chat-specific search was implemented as well, making it easier to find messages from a particular conversation.

On Telegram since July 2015

June 2015

Telegram Bot Platform

In June of 2015, Telegram released the Bot API and created a platform for users to create and publish their own bots. Bots exist to add features to Telegram and make user's lives easier - bots can handle payments, moderate groups, fetch emails and much more.

Telegram on Apple Watch

Telegram also received Apple Watch support. With a flick of the wrist, users can view recent chats, reply with stickers, dictate messages and more. Anything that can't fit on the watch display gets a shortcut to open on your phone instead.

On Telegram since June 2015

May 2015

Custom Sticker Sets

Since May '15, stickers can be uploaded and shared as sticker sets. All apps got a dedicated sticker panel. Tapping on any sticker shows its set and lets you add the lot.

On Telegram since May 2015

April 2015

Migrating Existing Group Chats to Telegram

Invite links were added so users can easily bring their friends to group chats, even when those friends are lost in another messenger.

Places, Captions and more

Users gained the ability to caption photos, so the context and content can be sent as one message.

Active Sessions and Two-Step Verification

Telegram rolled out an essential privacy feature in April 2015 - Two-step Verification – adding an extra layer of protection by requiring a password when logging into a new device.

Link Previews

Link previews were introduced to help users see where a link leads without having to click on it and find out for themselves.

On Telegram since April 2015

March 2015, Second Update

Sending Files On Steroids — And More

This update brought the ability to send multiple files at once and trim videos before sending them.

On Telegram since March 25, 2015

March 2015, First Update

Reinventing Group Chats: Replies, Mentions, Hashtags and More

March '15 made messaging more convenient – Telegram added replies, mentions and hashtags. Replies make it easier to keep continuity in group chats, while mentions help get someone's attention and hashtags allow users to label messages for future use.

On Telegram since March 19, 2015

February 2015, Second Update

Photo Editor and Passcode Lock

February '15 delivered the most powerful photo editor among messaging apps – featuring auto-enhance, crop and rotate functions in its initial version. To keep those photos and chats secure, users were given the option to lock their app with a passcode.

On Telegram since February 25, 2015

February 2015, First Update

Shared Files and Fast Mute

This update introduced the Files tab to better view all documents shared in a particular chat (some media outlets mistakenly thought this was when we introduced sending files). Additionally, the update brought in Mute shortcuts, helping users disable notifications more quickly.

On Telegram since February 1, 2015

January 2015

Stickers Done Right

January '15 saw the first sticker on Telegram. Since then, starting a message with a single emoji brings up a list of emotionally corresponding sticker suggestions.

The first official stickers from Telegram formed the classic Great Minds set. Artists were invited to publish their work on the free and open platform.

On Telegram since January 2015

2014

December 2014

Telegram.me, Changing Numbers, PFS and more

Users with usernames were offered Telegram.me/username links, which open their profile page in Telegram. This update also enabled changing the phone number of a Telegram account. Single-column mode was added for Telegram Desktop, making multitasking easier on smaller screens.

Fun fact: In 2016, Instagram will restrict users from adding Telegram.me (and Snapchat) links to their bios.

On Telegram since December 2014

November 2014

There were two Telegram updates on November 19, 2014.

Hiding Last Seen Time - Done Right

This update expanded Privacy Settings to cover Last Seen status, allowing unprecedented flexibility with 'Always Share With' and 'Never Share With' exceptions for individual users.

This was also when account self-destruction was introduced. Telegram doesn't aim to accumulate and store your data when you don't need it anymore. So if you throw away your SIM card and it gets a new owner in 6 months, they won't access your chats.

Material Design on Android, Instant Search for Messages and more

November '14 also delivered Instant Full-Text Search to iOS and Android. Since then you can quickly find any message you ever sent or received on Telegram.

GIF search was first supported on iOS. The Android app got a massive redesign, consistent with material guidelines.

On Telegram since November 2014

October 2014

Public usernames, smaller timers for Secret Chats, and more

October '14 marks the beginning of properly recorded history on Telegram. The first update ever to be described in a blog post brought public usernames, adding the ability to share your Telegram contact without disclosing your phone number.

Secret Chats got a major upgrade, with self-destructing media showing blurred thumbnails and starting the countdown only after they are first opened. This prevented them from disappearing before actually being viewed. This was also when screenshot notifications were first introduced.

Telegram for Android received several updates, adding support for Android Wear and tablets, as well as video compression.

On Telegram since October 2014

September 2014

GIFs, iPad support and broadcast lists on iOS

Telegram has supported iPads since September '14. In this update, the iOS app learned to play GIF animations and added cloud search for messages and search by file name for shared documents. iOS also caught up with Android, adding support for broadcast lists.

On Telegram since September 2014

August 2014

Broadcast lists were first introduced to Android in August '14, only to be replaced with channels a little over a year later.

On Telegram since August 2014

June 2014

Multiple photo upload and more

Telegram for Android caught up with iOS, allowing users to preview photos before sending — as well as select and send many photos at once. Notifications were improved to be more reliable.

On Telegram since June 2014

March 2014

Voice Messages, Delete Messages for both sides in Secret Chats, Language Settings on Android

The March '14 update introduced voice messages to Telegram. Messages deleted in Secret Chats began disappearing for both sides.

Telegram for Android added the option to change the app language in Settings. The first languages to be added were German and Italian.

On Telegram since March 2014

February 2014

New apps, autodownload settings and contact management tools for Android

More Telegram apps entered the fray. An unofficial Telegram app for Web was introduced and later moved to web.tg.k8s.li/static to become the official web version. Telegram for Windows Phone was created in a contest for app developers.

Meanwhile, an update introduced autodownload settings and new tools to manage contacts on Android.

On Telegram since February 2014

January 2014

Send documents and files

First thing in 2014, Telegram allowed documents of any type to be sent, including .pdf, .doc, .png, .mp3, etc. The size limit is 1,5 GB per file.

An unofficial Telegram app for PC was announced, which would later become the official Telegram Desktop.

On Telegram since January 2014

2013

December 2013

Crowdsourcing a more secure future

The only significant vulnerability to ever be discovered in the MTProto protocol was fixed during the First Telegram Crypto Contest. The researcher who discovered it was awarded a bounty of $100,000.

On Telegram since December 2013

October 2013

After a contest for Android developers, the alpha version of Telegram for Android was officially launched. Telegram apps got Secret Chats with self-destruct timers.

The MTProto Protocol specification and Telegram API were fully documented and the code of the apps became open source.

On Telegram since October 2013

August 14, 2013

Telegram for iOS was launched.

Congratulations on completing this (not very) brief course on the history of Telegram. You just got an honorary PhD in Instant Messaging – unless you simply jumped down here, in which case you still have a long way 👆to go to get back to the top.

Armed with this much knowledge about Telegram, you should probably join our Volunteer Support Force.

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