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Telegram APK for Android

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 10.9.1
  • 4.3

    (3807)
  • APK Status

Softonic review

Dinkar Kamat
Dinkar KamatUpdated 13 days ago

Telegram: A privacy-focused messaging app

Telegram is an instant messaging application for Android. It comes packed with robust features, including secret chats, self-destructing text messages, cloud storage, usernames, and more. Once downloaded, you will be able to customize the appearance of the app to suit your preference. The application works on multiple devices and is free to download.

When WhatsApp changed its privacy policy in 2021, Telegram saw a surge in users. As of today, the cross-platform messaging tool has millions of active users. It also comes with an open-source API and a Bot API that lets developers create personal chatbots. Apart from WhatsApp, a few alternatives for Telegram are Beeper and TextNow.

What is Telegram used for?

Founded by Pavel Durov, a Russian businessman, Telegram is a multi-device messaging service that focuses on user privacy and provides end-to-end encryption with an open-source API. Additionally, it allows users to operate one account on multiple devices or operate multiple accounts on one device. When it comes to functionality, this messaging app offers almost all the features of other instant messaging apps.

You can send a text to other users on the platform, make audio or video calls, create group chats, send files, and respond with emoticons or stickers. Apart from these features, the app also comes with self-destructing texts, a global delete feature, and secret chats. Plus, you can customize it to your preference. Change the app’s primary color, add or remove animations, create your theme, and access a bot to make your entire experience more seamless.

What are the features of Telegram?

Telegram has a lot of unique features that you won’t see on similar messaging applications. However, the one feature that sets it apart is its encryption. The app has a secret chat feature where users can partake in end-to-end encrypted texting. The contacts added to this secret chat will be unable to capture screenshots or forward messages to other people. Users should note that not all chats on the app are encrypted, though.

Besides the secret chats, all messages are uploaded to a remote server. This means that even if you don’t have your Android device on you, you can still access all your chat logs, files, and documents from a web portal. This cloud storage feature allows users to stay connected even on the go. Meanwhile, the Translating Entire Chats feature has been one of the most popular additions to this messaging app.

With real-time translation, you can now translate entire conversations, chats, groups, and channels into any of your preferred languages. However, while all users can translate individual messages by selecting them and tapping the word Translate, only premium users have access to the Entire Chats feature. On the other hand, the Profile Photo Maker feature will allow users to quickly make profile pictures for their accounts out of any sticker or animated emoji.

Even users without the Premium version can use animated and custom emojis in their pictures. In addition to a wide variety of emojis, this tool also provides an Emoji Categories feature where you can get emojis and stickers sorted into categories. Plus, the messaging platform introduces network usage features to its users. Users can also adjust their auto-download settings to accommodate the size of their data plan.

Key Telegram features simplified

Fast and global connection

  • Connect with lightning speed using Telegram, the fastest messaging app.
  • No more waiting – communicate instantly with people from all corners of the world.

Synced messaging across devices

  • Access your messages on phones, tablets, and computers all at once.
  • Start typing on one device, finish on another – no need to stay glued to your phone.

Unlimited media sharing

  • Send any type or size of media or files without worrying about limits.
  • Your chat history won't eat up space on your device – it's securely stored in the Telegram cloud.

Top-notch security

  • Your privacy is a top priority.
  • All your chats, groups, and media are encrypted for extra security.

Free and open source

  • Developers, rejoice! Telegram provides a free API and open-source apps.
  • Make sure your app is legit with verifiable builds from the exact source code.

Powerful group chats

  • Create group chats with a whopping 200,000 members.
  • Share large videos, documents, and set up bots for teamwork and online communities.

Reliable messaging

  • Telegram uses minimal data, making it the most reliable messaging system.
  • Stay connected even in areas with weak mobile signals.

Privacy protection

  • Your data is yours alone – Telegram won't share it with anyone.
  • Delete messages anytime, and they vanish without a trace.

Does Telegram have any advanced functionalities?

Telegram has an open-source API, allowing developers to change the app to their preference. It also has an extensive bot-building environment, providing users with access to various additional functionalities and enhancing their experience. Developers can also use the app’s Bot API to create their own bots and use them as per their requirements. Furthermore, the application allows users to create an account with a username, instead of a phone number.

This way, you can create multiple accounts and use them from any device. Besides that, it also ensures that you no longer have to share your handset number with anyone online. Moreover, the app also comes with a global message deletion function that allows users to delete their own messages as well as messages sent by other users. This way, users have control over what messages remain on the web, irrespective of who sent them.

Best Telegram alternatives

Telegram is surely a reliable choice, but that doesn’t mean that there are not other apps better than Telegram in certain aspects.Here are the best alternatives:

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger is surely the most popular alternative you can find on Google Play Store. Probably, most of your friends use this software to communicate with each other, whether it is text messaging, voice calling, or video calling. Here are WhatsApp’s prominent features:

  • It's more than just messages – make phone calls, use dark mode, and join a global community.
  • Send messages, images, and voice notes securely using your internet connection.

imo Lite

imo Lite is the lighter version of the popular communication software. It lacks some of the important features but runs smoothly and is very “lite” compared to the full version. Here are some of its features:

  • A lighter version of Imo, using less space and RAM on your phone.
  • Stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues, even with 2G or 3G connections.

Discord

Discord is known for being the hub for gamers, but is it really? You can use Discord to make high-quality video or voice calls. Key features of Discord are:

  • It's not just for gaming – use voice, video, and chat for any topic.
  • Connect with people on your PC, mobile, or web browser.

In a world filled with messaging choices, Telegram stands out with its speed, security, and features. Whether you're exploring its robust capabilities or considering alternatives, messaging has never been this versatile.

Is Telegram like WhatsApp?

Telegram is quite similar to other instant messaging applications, including WhatsApp. However, there are some subtle differences. For instance, WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption on all its chats whereas this app only offers said encryption through its secret chats window. On the contrary, Telegram is the only platform to provide a 2GB size limit for sharing files and a self-destruct messages function.

Start sharing stories on your TG page

Aside from Facebook and Instagram, Telegram has also started adopting the Story posting feature. These are photos or videos — or a mixture of both — users can post on their respective accounts. The distinctive feature of Stories is that they disappear after a set time, usually after 24 hours. With this messaging app, however, users will be able to choose the duration from 6, 12, 24, or 48 hours.

Users can supplement their TG Stories with video commentary, pulling viewers into a more dynamic narrative. These video messages are not just adjustable in size and position on the screen, but are also movable along the time axis, allowing them to commence or conclude at any frame. Users can also repost video Stories posted by other users or content creators, which is a better way to spark conversations.

Also, stepping up from Instagram’s option to choose between Public and Close Friends story posts, TG will allow users to create custom lists for its story audience. This means that you have better flexibility in choosing who gets to see each of your posts. Lastly, reposting content as a story from a different channel is also possible, letting you share content and posts from your friends and other groups.

Newer handy features

Some of Telegram’s most recently added features focus on more specific customization features, Channel capabilities, and text formatting. Now, Premium users can set a unique color combination with logos for their profiles. While custom wallpapers for individual chats are available for all users, Premium users can set a wallpaper for both chat participants, lending a unified aesthetic to the conversation. Meanwhile, Channels capable of posting Stories can now view detailed statistics for Story views, shares, and reactions.

Channel administrators are equipped with a revamped interface for managing reactions, letting them add or remove specific emojis. Moreover, Channels can now incorporate custom emojis, gaining one custom reaction per level they achieve. Finally, the app can now recognize coding language and highlight syntax in messages sent with code formatting, enabling users to identify differences between coding languages such as Java and C#.

Should you download the Telegram app?

If you’re looking for an advanced instant messaging application that protects your online privacy, then download Telegram. The application is feature-rich and has a clean interface that can be customized to suit user preferences. It also provides users with various functionalities like secret chats, group messaging, Bot API, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and more. Plus, it protects user privacy by not sharing data to third-party companies. 

PROS

  • Has a secret chat feature
  • Provides complete web-access
  • Offers a self-destruct function
  • Categorized emojis
  • Can translate chats

CONS

  • Does not encrypt all messages

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Telegram APK for Android

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 10.9.1
  • 4.3

    (3807)
  • APK Status


User reviews about Telegram

  • malambo mainza

    by malambo mainza

    It's excellent and nmakes life easy for large groups such as church and school. It does


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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.