Change Colors. You can choose from dozens of color schemes in Chat Settings (Appearance Settings on iOS).

For more artistic freedom, try the full Theme Editor – or find links to themes created by others.

Telegram was built to protect privacy and redefine what a messaging app can do. Hundreds of unique features are outlined in this channel, but here are some of our favorites:

• Editing messages and media
• Moving chat history from other apps
• Sending media and files up to 2 GB in size
• Deleting messages and more without a trace
• Native apps for desktop, browsers and tablets
• Multiple accounts and Chat Folders
• Usernames instead of phone numbers
• Granular Privacy Settings
• Group Chats with 200,000 members or more
• Admin tools and stats for group owners
• Channels for one-to-many communication
• Video Chats in Groups
• Live Streams in Channels
• 20,000+ high-quality Animated Stickers
• Shareable Custom Themes and Animated Backgrounds
• Video Messages
• Advanced editing tools for photos and videos
• Bots that perform tasks using our open API
• Interactive Emoji
• Disappearing photos and videos
• Self-Destructing end-to-end encrypted Chats
• Partial selection for messages
• Scheduled and Silent Messages
• Pinned Messages and Polls
• Persistent chat history
• Saved Messages and Drafts
• Encrypted Voice and Video Calls

@TelegramTips are available in several other languages – here’s a list.

Delivery status. One check = message delivered. Two checks = message read.

You can use Telegram on any number of devices at once, including computers and tablets. Simply log in using the same phone number to access all your messages – without keeping your phone connected.

Video Messages. Tap once on the voice message button to switch to video.

Tap on a video message to play it with sound.

Telegram apps are standalone and synced with the cloud – all your messages and media are available everywhere you go.

Unfinished messages save as Cloud Drafts, so you can finish typing and send from any device. Try desktop.telegram.org or macos.telegram.org on your computer for the best experience.

Saved Messages. Every user has this default chat to bookmark important messages, set reminders, store media, or send documents of up to 2GB each between your devices.

Whenever you forward a message, ‘Saved Messages’ will be at the top of the list.

To quickly access the chat on Android, tap ☰ > Saved Messages. On iOS tap Settings > Saved Messages.

Free space. Telegram requires next to no storage space to run on your device.

Go to Settings > Data and Storage > Storage Usage to selectively clear your cache – or set Keep Media to regularly remove unused items. Media and files stay available to re-download whenever needed.

On Android, you can also store your Telegram data on your SD Card.

Here’s what the iOS version looks like, with additional settings like a Maximum Cache Size.

Polls. To create a poll in your groups or channels, open the 📎 attachment menu and choose “Poll”.

Polls can be anonymous or have visible votes, showing who voted for what. You can also create multiple answer and quiz-style polls.

Delete Without a Trace

Messages, chats, call history and groups you created can be completely deleted at any time. Simply make your selection and check the box to delete for all participants – deleted items leave no trace, giving you full control over your digital footprint.

Global Search. Use the search field at the top of your chat list to find people by their usernames, as well as messages or media from all your chats.

Global Search also shows public channels and groups that you are welcome to join.

On iOS, swipe down on your chat list to reveal the search bar.

Trending Stickers. Tap the (+) button in the sticker panel to see packs that are relevant for the season – or a certain day, like Valentine’s Day.

Your phone number is hidden. By default, it is only visible to your contacts. In groups and chats, you will appear to people who don't know you as your chosen name.

If you create a username, people can find your profile and get in contact with you – without needing to know your phone number.

Auto-Delete. Set a timer in any chat to automatically erase messages 1 day, 1 week or 1 month after sending.

The timer only affects the messages sent after it is enabled, and can be modified at any time.

Home Screen Widgets. Add custom widgets to your home page that show a preview of recent messages, or just a shortcut to your chats.

All widgets display unread message counters and instantly open the chat when tapped.

Invite Links. Share unique links inside or outside of Telegram to let other users instantly join your group or channel.

In addition to the permanent link, you can create multiple links with custom properties – like a limited duration or number of uses. Any invite link can also be converted into a QR Code.

Imported Messages. You can move chats from other apps to Telegram and keep all your memories in one place.

When importing chats, if the destination chat on Telegram is new or has less than 1000 messages, everything will be seamlessly sorted by its original date and time.

Invite by QR Code. Convert an invite link for your group or channel into a scannable QR code to send and share anywhere.

Send Without Compression. Photos and videos can be sent at their full quality and size – up to 2 GB per file.

On Android, tap 📎 > File > Gallery
On iOS, tap 📎 > File > Photo or Video

Preview Chats. Press and hold a chat’s profile picture on Android to pull up a preview of its messages – without marking messages as read.

On iOS, press and hold anywhere on the chat. This also opens up a menu with additional actions and lets you scroll inside the preview.