Telegram is a free messaging app with more than 800 million active users worldwide. The app was founded in 2013 by the Russian brothers Pavel and Nikolai Durov and has grown into a powerful alternative to WhatsApp. Telegram is known for its speed, unlimited cloud storage and extensive features.

Many people switch to Telegram because of the larger group limits, better file sharing and the absence of ads in personal chats. Telegram also offers features such as channels, bots and an extensive sticker collection that you won't find in other apps.

Downloading and installing Telegram

Telegram is available for almost every device and platform. Below we explain how to install the app.

Installing on Android

  1. Open the Google Play Store
  2. Search for "Telegram"
  3. Select the official Telegram app (from Telegram FZ-LLC)
  4. Tap "Install"
  5. Open the app after installation

Installing on iPhone

  1. Open the App Store
  2. Search for "Telegram Messenger"
  3. Tap "Get"
  4. Confirm with Face ID or Touch ID
  5. Launch the app

Using Telegram on your computer

A big advantage of Telegram is that you can use it on several devices at the same time without needing your phone nearby:

  1. Go to desktop.telegram.org
  2. Download the version for Windows, Mac or Linux
  3. Install the program
  4. Sign in with your phone number
  5. Enter the verification code you receive in Telegram

You can also use the web version at web.telegram.org without installing anything.

Creating and setting up an account

Signing up for Telegram is quick and easy. All you need is a phone number.

Signing up step by step

  1. Open the Telegram app
  2. Tap "Start Messaging"
  3. Select your country (the Netherlands) and enter your phone number
  4. You receive a text message code, or a message in Telegram itself if you already have an account
  5. Enter the verification code
  6. Enter your name and optionally add a profile photo
  7. Your account is now ready to use

Setting a username

A unique Telegram feature is the username. It lets others find you without knowing your phone number:

  1. Go to Settings (three lines in the top left)
  2. Tap your name at the top
  3. Select "Username"
  4. Choose a unique username
  5. Save

Sending and receiving messages

Sending messages in Telegram is simple and offers more options than many other apps.

Starting a conversation

  1. Tap the pencil icon in the bottom right
  2. Select a contact or search by username
  3. Type your message in the text field
  4. Tap the arrow to send

Sharing media and files

Telegram supports sharing many kinds of content:

  • Photos and videos: Up to 2GB per file, unlimited number
  • Files: Any file type up to 2GB
  • Voice messages: Press and hold the microphone icon
  • Video messages: Tap the camera icon in the attachment options
  • Location: Share your current or live location
  • Contacts: Send contact details to others

Editing and deleting messages

A handy feature in Telegram is that you can edit or delete messages you have sent:

  1. Press and hold the message
  2. Select "Edit" to change the text
  3. Or select "Delete" and choose "Also delete for [name]"

You can edit messages within 48 hours of sending them and delete them for both parties without any time limit.

Groups and channels

Telegram stands out with powerful features for group communication.

Creating a group

  1. Tap the pencil icon
  2. Select "New Group"
  3. Choose the members you want to add
  4. Give the group a name and optionally a photo
  5. Tap the checkmark to confirm

Telegram groups can have up to 200,000 members, far more than WhatsApp's limit of 1024. Admins can set extensive permissions for members.

Using channels

Channels are a unique Telegram feature for broadcasting messages to a large audience:

  • Only admins can post messages
  • An unlimited number of subscribers is possible
  • Ideal for news, updates or announcements
  • Subscribers can comment if this is enabled

Finding and following channels

  1. Tap the magnifying glass (search)
  2. Search by topic or channel name
  3. Select a channel from the results
  4. Tap "Follow" or "Join"

Secret chats for extra privacy

In addition to regular chats, Telegram offers secret chats with extra security features.

Starting a secret chat

  1. Open a contact's profile
  2. Tap the three dots in the top right
  3. Select "Start Secret Chat"
  4. Wait for the other person to accept

Features of secret chats

  • End-to-end encryption (readable only on this device)
  • Messages cannot be forwarded
  • Set messages to disappear automatically
  • Notification when the other person takes a screenshot
  • Not available across multiple devices

Handy Telegram features

Telegram is packed with features that make everyday use more pleasant.

Saved Messages

You can save messages, photos and files for later:

  1. Press and hold a message
  2. Tap "Forward"
  3. Select "Saved Messages"

Your saved messages are accessible from the menu and are synced across all your devices.

Chat folders

Organize your conversations in folders:

  1. Go to Settings
  2. Select "Folders"
  3. Tap "Create a New Folder"
  4. Give the folder a name and add chats

Telegram bots

Bots are automated accounts that can perform all kinds of tasks:

  • @gif: Search for and send GIFs
  • @wiki: Search Wikipedia articles
  • @youtube: Search YouTube videos
  • @sticker: Find new sticker packs

Configuring privacy settings

Telegram offers extensive privacy options that you can adjust to your liking.

Important privacy settings

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security
  2. Configure who can see your phone number
  3. Set who can call you
  4. Decide who can add you to groups
  5. Manage who can see your online status

Turning on two-step verification

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security
  2. Tap "Two-Step Verification"
  3. Create a password
  4. Optionally add a recovery email address
  5. Store your password securely

Telegram is a versatile app that is suitable for both private conversations and large communities. With the right settings, you combine ease of use with good privacy.

Frequently asked questions

Is Telegram safer than WhatsApp?

That depends on how you use Telegram. Regular Telegram chats are encrypted in transit but are stored on Telegram's servers. Secret chats are end-to-end encrypted, just like all WhatsApp messages. Telegram does collect less metadata than WhatsApp.

Can I use Telegram without sharing my phone number?

Yes, you can hide your phone number from other users. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Phone Number and choose 'Nobody'. Others can then only find you by your username.

How much data does Telegram use?

Telegram is relatively economical with data because files are compressed. In Settings > Data and Storage you can set media to download automatically only over Wi-Fi. Files are stored in the cloud, not on your phone, which saves space.

Can I import my WhatsApp chats into Telegram?

Yes, Telegram supports importing chat history from WhatsApp. Export your WhatsApp chat and share the export file with Telegram. You can choose which Telegram chat you want to import the history into.

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