10 Telegram Features You Should Know About

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 16:39

Self-destructing messages, reminders, floating player and other non-obvious features.

1. Read messages unnoticed by the sender

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

As soon as you view a new message, the other person in the chat will be marked that it has been read. But thanks to a simple technical trick, messages can be viewed unnoticed by the sender.

When you receive a message, do not open the chat. Turn off the Internet on your smartphone and only then enter the correspondence. Read the new messages and close Telegram by removing it from the menu of running programs. After the Internet, you can turn on and reopen the messenger. If everything is done correctly, the messages will be marked as read only on your device, but not on the interlocutor's device.

Telegram for iOS also supports another, much more convenient and reliable method. When you receive a message, hold your finger on the chat without opening it. A window will appear on the screen, scrolling through which, you can read the correspondence discreetly.

2. Create reminders

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

Telegram is able to send notifications about events scheduled by the user. They come in the form of regular messages. To create a reminder, open the "Favorites" section and enter any text. Then hold down the submit button and select "Set a Reminder". Specify the desired time and click "Submit". At the specified time, the messenger will send you a message with the typed text.

3. Send videos and gifs without leaving Telegram

Where does it work: in the web version, as well as in mobile and desktop applications.

You can search for animations in the GIPHY directory and videos on YouTube right in the chat window and immediately send the found files to your interlocutors.

To find a gif, type-g.webp

To find a video, type @youtube and after a space enter your search term in any language. When you find a suitable video, click on it to send.

4. Copy only the required message fragments

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

You can copy part of a message in Telegram on a computer in the most obvious way - by highlighting the desired text with the cursor.

In the mobile version, the situation is different: if you hold your finger on a message, it is highlighted in its entirety. But you can only copy a part with one additional action. First, hold down the message, and then select the desired fragment.

5. Create your theme

Where does it work: in mobile and desktop applications.

Telegram offers tons of customization options. You can not only choose between ready-made design themes, but also create your own by customizing the appearance of each interface element.

To open the theme editor in Telegram for iOS, go to "Settings" → "Appearance", click on the plus in the upper right corner and select "Create a new theme".

To open the theme editor in Telegram for Android or in the desktop versions of the messenger, go to the "Settings" → "Chat settings" section, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select "Create a new theme".

6. Send self-destructing files that cannot be forwarded

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

If you want to send a confidential photo or video, you can use additional security measures. Telegram is able to automatically delete such files from the interlocutor's device after the time specified by you. In addition, the recipient will not be able to forward self-destructing photos and videos to other contacts. And if he takes a screenshot, the messenger will notify you about it.

To submit self-deleting content, first add it via a paperclip button. Before submitting, click on the file itself. Use the timer icon and specify the time before the disappearance. The countdown will start from the moment you view the message. Once you've set up your timer, click on the submit button.

You can also create a separate secure chat for any selected contact. In such a correspondence, Telegram will automatically destroy all messages after the specified time and prohibit their sending. To create such a conversation, open the profile of the desired user. Click on the three dots and select "Start Secret Chat".

7. Manage your online visibility

Where does it work: in mobile and desktop applications.

Telegram allows each user to choose who sees their online status and the time of their last activity. You can set up the messenger so that no one knows when you are online, or make this information available only to some contacts.

Go to Settings → Privacy → Last Activity and select the appropriate options. Please note that you will not be able to see the activity of people from whom you will hide your online status.

8. View video on top of other windows

Where does it work: in the iOS app.

You can watch sent or received YouTube videos and chat in parallel. In this case, the video will be displayed in a small floating window.

To start the video in this mode, click on the thumbnail that is displayed next to the link. When the player opens, click on the special button in the upper right corner. After that, you can move the roller window around the screen.

9. Protect chats with a password

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

This function allows you to protect your correspondence from strangers if they gain access to the device. It can come in handy if you accidentally leave your smartphone unlocked somewhere. Or if you trust the device to your loved ones, but do not want them to view your correspondence. If you want to, it will be impossible to open the chat list without a confirmation code.

The function is called “Passcode” and is available in the “Settings” → “Privacy” section. Create a security code here and choose a time to auto-lock. Each time after its expiration, Telegram will block access to chats and display them only after entering the password. On devices with a fingerprint scanner, a fingerprint can be used instead of a code.

10. Choose from what point the uploaded video will start

Where does it work: in mobile applications.

If you want the interlocutor to see the video from a certain second, just add a timestamp to the message with a link to the video. Use this format - 00:00. The minutes are indicated before the colon, and the seconds after it. If desired, you can add multiple tags for one video.

This material was first published in July 2018. In May 2020, we updated the text.