Telegram Tips

Video Covers in Channels. When posting a video in a channel, you can choose a frame to use as a cover – or upload a custom thumbnail from your gallery. To select a video cover, tap the three-dot icon ➕/➕ in the video editor and select 'Edit Cover'.

Saved Progress for Videos. Videos you watch automatically save your progress – so you can return exactly where you left off.

Timestamp Links. You can include the current timestamp when sharing a link to a video on Telegram. When someone taps the link, it will open the video to that exact moment. Inside Telegram you can also reply to videos or YouTube links with timecodes like 1:46 – which creates timestamps that others can tap to skip to specific scenes.

Share Gifts. Collectible gifts on your profile can be posted to your story with an elegant animated preview that shows off your rare artwork and lucky numbers. To post a gift to your story, go to Settings > My Profile > Gifts, tap one of your gifts and select Share > Repost to Story.

Give Gifts to Channels. To celebrate holidays and achievements, subscribers can send gifts to channels, which are displayed on the channel's profile. Channel owners can transfer their gifts to other users and channels or auction them on the blockchain.

Move Gifts to the Blockchain. Like collectible usernames and numbers, gifts can be transferred or auctioned via the TON blockchain. The blockchain gives owners permanent control – even if they lose access to or delete their Telegram account. To move a gift to the blockchain, go to Settings > My Profile > Gifts, tap a gift and select Transfer > Send via Blockchain.

Wear Collectible Gifts. Gifts that you upgrade to collectibles can be used as a unique emoji status. Using a gift as your status gives it a glittering star effect and changes the appearance of your profile to match the backdrop and symbol from your collectible. To wear one of your gifts, go to My Profile > Gifts, tap a gift and select 'Wear'.

QR Code Scanner. The in-app camera recognizes QR codes by default, opening links in your preferred browser without switching apps. To quickly open the in-app camera, swipe right from the chat list on iOS or tap the 📷 camera icon on Android.

⭐️ Custom Emoji in Folders. Every Telegram user can create custom chat folders to organize their conversations. Chat folders support emoji in their titles – and Premium users can include any custom emoji to make their folders extra expressive or more minimalist.

Verification from Third Parties. Telegram allows public figures and organizations to become verified, so users can quickly identify official sources. Third-party services are able to assign extra verification icons to user accounts and chats – which helps prevent scams and reduce misinformation. When a chat or account receives third-party verification, a small logo appears before its name. If you open their profile, you'll see a detailed explanation of the status and what it means.

Message Search Filters. Search results in the 'Chats' tab have extra filters that let you refine the list to show items only from private chats, group chats or channels. To add an extra filter, tap 'From All Chats' in the Messages section of your search results.

Reactions for Service Messages. When someone sends you a gift or joins a group, a special service message appears in the conversation. These messages support reactions – so you can say thanks or welcome new members in two taps. Service messages also appear when someone calls you, applies a new chat background, starts a giveaway and more.

Collectible Gifts. Gifts you receive can be upgraded to collectible versions, unlocking new appearances from dozens of custom variations made by Telegram artists. When buying a gift for another user, you can send it already upgraded – and watch as they open it in the chat. Collectible gifts can be transferred to other users or auctioned on NFT marketplaces. Upgrading a gift costs a small amount of Telegram Stars, used to cover blockchain fees.

Collages In Stories. The story interface lets you combine up to 6 photos and videos in customizable layouts. You can add media to collages from your gallery or with the in-app camera. To rearrange tiles, hold and drag them into place. To remove a tile or retake a photo or video, simply tap. After adding your media, you can adjust your videos and music on a timeline to change their length or volume.

AI-Powered Sticker Search. The sticker panel supports complex searches with multiple keywords like cat drinking coffee – in dozens of languages. This is available for Telegram Premium users in the emoji panel as well – instantly returning results from thousands of official emoji. You can also quickly get sticker suggestions right from the message bar and use shortcuts to quickly input emoji.

Creating Affiliate Programs. Bots and mini apps can host affiliate programs – a transparent way to quickly scale with organic growth from user referrals. Developers set a custom commission rate and duration for their affiliate program – dictating what percentage affiliates will receive from qualifying purchases, and for how long. To start an affiliate program, open the profile page of your mini app, then tap Edit > Affiliate Program. For more information on creating and managing affiliate programs, see our detailed guide.

Affiliate Programs. Any Telegram user can earn Stars by joining affiliate programs launched by developers. In Settings > My Stars you can explore the list of available programs and sort them by their start date, total revenue or potential profit. Tap a program to join it and generate your unique referral link to share with other users. Each time someone you referred makes a purchase in the mini app, you will receive a percentage of the Stars used. More details on affiliate programs can be found in this guide.

Mini Apps: Media Sharing. Media and files can be shared directly from mini apps – sending referral codes, custom memes and more to any chat.

Mini Apps: Creating Files. Mini apps are able to generate files and media that you can save to your device or share to other chats.

Mini Apps: Setting Emoji Status. Premium users can set an emoji status inside mini apps – or give apps permission to automatically change their status. Mini apps can also integrate APIs from other services – updating your status when you're in a game 🎮 or watching a movie 🍿. Similarly, location permissions can be used to instantly change your status from at work 💼 to on vacation 🧳.