Founded by Russian developer Pavel Durov, Telegram is among the top ten most popular multiplatform messaging apps worldwide. It currently boasts a whopping 200 million monthly users and enjoys surges in new users whenever other major competitors like WhatsApp update their privacy policies or get rocked with privacy scandals.

Despite Telegram’s undeniable popularity, there are still millions of people not aware of its existence. Tech enthusiasts never fail to mention it in discussions surrounding online privacy; however, don’t all major messaging apps provide “end-to-end” encryption, among other security features?

Indeed Telegram’s core functionality is more or less similar to most instant messaging apps: you can synchronize your contacts, message individual users, engage in voice calls, send files and participate in group conversations. Telegram’s defining feature has always been privacy, which it enforces through end-to-end encryption. This security feature purportedly wards off third parties – including the government and hackers – from snooping on two-way conversations.

However, Telegram only encrypts calls and secret chats, leaving regular chats to client-server encryption. That said, Telegram has many useful features, and users who have not gone beyond the basics may be missing out on the best Telegram has to offer.

Features

Use Multiple Phone Numbers

Do you ever contemplate changing your phone number but dread the thought of transferring all your data to the new phone number? Although this process is usually cumbersome on some messaging apps, Telegram makes the transition seamless.

You can change the number linked to your Telegram account without losing any data, e.g., chats, media and contacts. Telegram will move all your contacts, files and messages to the new number and automatically update all your contacts on the change.

Telegram also allows using multiple accounts simultaneously if you prefer adding an extra number to migrating. Multiple accounts can be useful for anyone looking to separate their professional and personal lives on a single messaging app.

Secret Chats

Although Telegram uses some form of encryption for all its chats by default, regular chats use client-server encryption that stores messages and other media on Telegram’s servers. Client-server conveniently allows Telegram users to access their information across multiple devices, but it has some obvious security flaws.

Secret chats take online privacy to a whole new level thanks to client-to-client end encryption. This form of encryption does not store any data on Telegram’s servers, meaning users can only access secret chats on their specific devices. If either party in a two-way conversation deletes anything, it disappears for everyone. Also, you can specify when certain media or messages will self-destruct.

Telegram Bots

AI advancements are quickly changing the face of technology as we know it. Telegram includes bots that perform useful functions, including fetching images from names, playing games and checking the weather. With a little bit of coding knowledge, you can create your chatbots and program them to do what you wish.

Live Location Sharing

Live location sharing may sound somewhat counterintuitive, but it could help you meet up with friends, arrive at your destination safely or guide someone. You can choose to update your location every few minutes or hours.

Connect Via Proxy Servers

Like many other online services, Telegram is not allowed in certain countries. Tenacious individuals can overcome any geo-restrictions using a Telegram feature that allows connecting via proxy servers. While using a VPN is more convenient for phone users, a proxy server will still achieve the same results.

Custom Themes

Telegram not only provides multiple color and background options but also allows you to create custom themes. Setting up a custom theme will make the app’s interface look and feel exactly how you want it.

Chat Tools

Telegram offers many “hidden” chat tools, including:

• A trash button to delete your messages and media permanently
• Hashtags to search for specific messages across chats
• A pin feature that lets you keep important messages at the top of group chats or channels
• Message scheduling to delay sending a message unto a defined time in the future

Benefits

Telegram’s main features may be similar to other messaging apps, but the following benefits distinguish it from some of its competitors.

Media Compression

If you use internet data instead of Wi-Fi, you can save a lot by compressing images and videos before sending via Telegram’s media compression.

Ample Group Member Capacity

Normal Telegram groups allow up to 200 members. While this is enough for most group conversations, Telegram also includes supergroups that accommodate up to 5000 members.

Channels

Telegram channels are essentially groups with unlimited member capacity. Channel creators decide who gets to post and view content within their channels.

Multiple Sessions

You can access your Telegram account on multiple devices simultaneously. Telegram can even remember your browser sessions.

Unlimited Server Storage

Forget about frequent backups and transferring your data when switching to a new device. Telegram offers unlimited storage, meaning you can save all your messages, media and information in the cloud.

Pros

Substantial File Size Limit

Telegram should be your messaging app of choice if you prefer sending big files. Unlike Skype’s and WhatsApp’s 100 MB limit, Telegram supports sending files of up to 1.5GB.

Global Message Deletion

Although potentially estranging, Telegram allows you to delete messages received from other users.

Flexible Customization

Telegram is miles ahead of its competitors when it comes to customization options. You can create custom themes, change UI animations and even create or use existing chatbots to enhance your experience.

Self-Destruct Timer

If you like to keep your chats secret, Telegram’s self-destruct timer can permanently delete your messages. No one can compromise your privacy if you do not maintain a chat log.

Secret Chats

Unlike regular chats that get stored on Telegram’s servers, secret chats use end-to-end encryption, meaning not even Telegram can access your messages. Also, you cannot take screenshots or forward messages on secret chats.

Cons

Limited Userbase

For all its sophisticated features, Telegram is still relatively unpopular. Telegram’s 400 million active monthly users pale in comparison to other competitors like WeChat, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, with over 1.2 billion active monthly users each.

Video Calls

It is honestly such a pity that Telegram does not support video calling in 2021. Naturally, Telegram also does not support group video calls like other messaging apps, including Skype, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

Stories/Statuses

Telegram lacks a stories/statuses feature that allows users to post time-limited (usually 24 hours) images, GIFs and short videos.

Last Seen Visibility

For an app concerned with privacy, Telegram reveals too much about its users’ online activity. Telegram provides “last seen” statuses, meaning other users can estimate when you last used the app.

Should You Join Telegram?

Online privacy is a hazy concept that most of us barely understand until malicious individuals compromise it. If you are particularly secretive and perturbed by the thought of privacy breaches, then Telegram’s secret chat option might be what you need. You will enjoy most of the basic features provided by other popular messaging apps but with far greater privacy.