Telegram has always been one of those messaging apps that stood out for its emphasis on speed, security, and unique features. It might not have the same user base as WhatsApp or Messenger, but it has a loyal community of users who appreciate its powerful customization options, privacy tools, and cloud-based file sharing. Recently, Telegram rolled out a major update, and everyone is wondering—has it changed the game for messaging apps? Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and how it compares to other platforms.
1. Customizable Stories and More Dynamic Media Sharing
Telegram has now introduced a Stories feature, similar to what you’d find on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. While that might sound like Telegram is just following trends, the app takes it a step further with customization options you won’t find elsewhere. You can choose exactly who gets to see your Stories—specific contacts, private groups, or even people with whom you’ve never chatted before. Additionally, Telegram lets you edit Stories after you’ve posted them, which is a huge plus for anyone who frequently finds typos or needs to update details.
One of the standout features of Stories is the ability to add multiple photos, videos, and even polls in a single post. This makes Telegram a versatile tool for content creators, businesses, and anyone who loves engaging their audience. Imagine hosting a quick Q&A with polls right inside a Story—it’s seamless and works well for personal branding or marketing campaigns.
Compared to other apps, Telegram’s Stories system feels much more personalized and feature-rich. The app also saves your Stories in a personal archive for easy access later, which is perfect if you want to review or reuse them.
2. Multi-Account Features for Better Management
One of the most exciting additions in this update is Telegram’s improved multi-account functionality. While many apps support multiple accounts, Telegram allows you to switch between accounts effortlessly without logging out or losing any data. This is incredibly helpful for users who juggle multiple profiles—whether for work, personal life, or even managing community groups.
Unlike WhatsApp, where you’re limited to using one phone number per app instance, Telegram gives you full control over multiple accounts on a single device. You can assign separate notification tones for each account and quickly see which account has unread messages. This might not sound revolutionary, but for professionals and entrepreneurs, it’s a lifesaver. It streamlines communication and ensures you don’t miss important messages while managing different roles in your life.
3. Enhanced Privacy Settings and Security
Telegram has always been a favorite for privacy-conscious users, and the new update takes this reputation even further. Now, you can hide your last-seen and online status from specific people while allowing close friends and family to see it. This is great for those moments when you want to appear offline but still keep certain contacts in the loop. Telegram also provides an “Auto-Delete” feature for messages in any chat, not just in secret chats. You can set messages to delete automatically after a set period, such as 24 hours or seven days.
Additionally, Telegram uses end-to-end encryption for secret chats, ensuring that no one—including Telegram itself—can access the contents of those conversations. While critics sometimes point out that regular chats on Telegram aren’t fully encrypted by default, the app compensates for this with its cloud storage system, which allows users to back up and access files across devices without relying on third-party services.
For users who value transparency, Telegram’s commitment to keeping data out of government hands is a major selling point. The app has repeatedly stated that it will not hand over user information to authorities unless legally required and only in cases involving terrorism or serious crimes.
4. Bigger File Sharing Limits
One of Telegram’s long-standing strengths has been its ability to share large files—something that other messaging apps struggle with. The latest update pushes this even further, with support for sending files up to 4 GB in size. For comparison, WhatsApp still caps file sharing at a measly 2 GB. This makes Telegram ideal for professionals, content creators, and even students who often need to send large video files, high-resolution images, or lengthy documents.
But it’s not just about file size. Telegram’s cloud storage system allows users to upload files and access them from any device without taking up space on their phone. Imagine uploading a large presentation on your laptop and instantly being able to share or download it on your smartphone during a meeting. This seamless integration is one of Telegram’s strongest features and gives it a serious edge over competitors.
5. Group Collaboration and Channels Are More Powerful
Telegram has made a name for itself as one of the best platforms for large groups and communities. With the latest update, it’s become even more useful for collaboration. Admins now have more control over group permissions, including the ability to limit who can send certain types of media, such as voice messages or polls. This helps keep large groups organized and prevents spam from cluttering the chat.
Channels have also received a boost with better monetization options. Content creators can now offer subscription-based access to exclusive content within their channels. This feature is particularly appealing to influencers, educators, and business owners who want to build premium communities without relying on third-party platforms like Patreon.
Telegram’s groups and channels also support features like threaded replies, pinned messages, and polls, making them powerful tools for managing discussions. Whether you’re running a fan club, coordinating a team project, or sharing news updates, Telegram’s features give you the flexibility to tailor the experience to your needs.
6. Speed and Performance Improvements
While new features are always exciting, performance is equally important. In this update, Telegram has made several under-the-hood improvements to enhance app speed and reliability. Users on both iOS and Android have reported faster message synchronization, reduced loading times for media, and smoother scrolling through large group chats.
For people with slower internet connections, Telegram’s data-saving mode helps reduce bandwidth usage by compressing media files. This ensures that even in low-network areas, you can continue chatting and sharing files without major interruptions. Telegram has also optimized notifications to ensure timely alerts even when the app is running in the background, a common issue with many messaging apps.
Is It Really a Game-Changer?
So, is the new Telegram update a game-changer? The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a messaging app. For users who prioritize privacy, multi-account management, and powerful group features, Telegram continues to lead the pack. The addition of customizable Stories, better file sharing, and improved collaboration tools makes it a strong contender against other platforms like WhatsApp and Signal.
That said, Telegram might not appeal to users who prefer a more straightforward experience without the need for advanced customization. It’s also worth noting that while Telegram’s privacy features are strong, they’re not enabled by default in all chats, which could be a concern for some.
Overall, this update reinforces Telegram’s reputation as a feature-rich, versatile messaging platform. Whether you’re a casual user, content creator, or business professional, there’s something in this update that can enhance your messaging experience. If you haven’t explored Telegram recently, now might be the perfect time to give it another look.
