Telegram adds more free reactions for users, new username links and more
Telegram has rolled out an update for its apps on Desktop, Android and iOS that increases the number of free animated reactions. It also introduces a new way to share profile links, among other improvements.
More free reactions for all users
There is a new panel that you can access by right-clicking on a message on Telegram Desktop (or single tap on the mobile app). Click the downward arrow button to expand the panel to access all available reactions. Telegram says that dozens of animated reactions (40, to be precise) are available for all users for free. The panel lists your most used reactions at the top, and in the non-expanded state. Telegram reactions are available in personal chats and group chats, admins can choose to allow some or all reactions in their groups.
There are several emoji reaction packs that users can unlock by subscribing to Telegram Premium, which might explain the name that the service has given these, Infinite Reactions. Premium users can select up to 3 reactions per message.
Super reactions are now supported in the mobile app, these display a larger animation on the screen, for the sender and the recipient. To send a super reaction, just long press on a reaction for a couple of seconds. The animations are rather neat too.
Emoji Status
Telegram's blog article mentions a new feature that is exclusively available for Premium subscribers. You can now add an animated emoji to your profile's status. The icon will be displayed next to your name, and will replace the premium badge in your chat list, profile and groups.
It also has 7 standard statuses that automatically changes in color to match your Telegram theme.
Username links
The messaging app has a slightly easier method to share usernames. Until now, Telegram users could share their profile by using a link such as t.me/username or https://t.me/username. The new username links don't require the forward slash, so you can just type username.t.me. This makes it easier to share a link to your Telegram profile.
Improvements in Telegram for Android - Prioritize downloads,
Users can now prioritize file downloads in the Telegram app for Android from the Downloads tab (in the Search view). While downloading multiple files, press and hold on one of the items, and drag it up or down to rearrange the order in which to download the files, with the top one being the highest priority. This feature is already available in the iOS app.
The Android app has received some improvements in the animations that are displayed when you access media files in chats. The latest version of the app is capable of changing the color of the Telegram icon to match your phone's theme color and dark mode settings. This feature is exclusive to devices running on Android 13 or newer.
New Login options in the iOS app
The Telegram app on iOS now lets you sign in with your email address to receive a login code (2-step authentication). It also supports sign in with Apple or Google.
It's good to see that Telegram is working on improvements and cosmetic features for free users. What do you think about these updates?
Hi please there’s someone I want to
Send a message on telegram but she has no user name just a name with an emoji e.g milena? and I’ve been trying to
Search it but I can’t find it is there any other alternative please
What telegram really needs is (a). removal of the requirement for the provision of a cell phone number to install the program (find another way to prevent bots). This requirement total destroys any privacy as possession of a cell phone number is the number one tracking and tracing data. (b). Get rid of the requirement to have a google play account. Google is bad. I never use any google service. (c). Add secret chats to desktop (d). Stop handing over people’s details at the drop of a hat. Protect privacy.
I don’t have a cell phone, don’t use social networking and avoid all things google. So I can’t use Telegram. To get telegram onto my desktop I have to buy or borrow a cell phone, install google play on it and then install it on my desktop, which also requires a google play account, if I understand it correctly. That’s just insane. Totally over complicated.
Download Telegram from F-Droid or Aurora Store. Problem solved.
Download to what? Your mobile phone?
Google’s terrible trash Chats completely destroyed Hangouts. The only viable alternative that may still exist is Telegram.
Quo vadis Telegram?
From what I hear, Telegram has started censoring chat groups. Do we need a messenger app who censors at the request of the state? Nope, there’s already WhatsApp for that.
Telegram has been shat on for some time now by the media, they basically call it the messenger of cOnSPiRacY tHeoRisTs more or less, due to Telegram’s relaxed content moderation policy. If that is even remotely true – and while I do believe that most people using Telegram are actually Average Joes at all times – then Telegram will always have a niche in which it can survive in its struggle against WhatsApp. If it is an avenue where people can speak out against oppressive regimes, then that’s potentially even a good thing.
However, a second WhatsApp? Who needs that? If they want to be the media’s darlingright now they can do that, but I guarantee that they won’t survive that way. WhatsApp 1.0 exists already.
The bummer with telegram is you have to provide a mobile phone no. even to use the desktop interface on a PC if you have no requirement for messaging.
I therefore only use it to access read-only a handful of information sources who only post there. I don’t use it to send messages and I don’t want to receive any.
All these cartoon bubbles /emojis / whatever are stupid krapp for people with a mental age of 9 who can’t write straight text. I know nothing about their use and don’t want to know.
And sure it’s financed exclusively by donations just like Signal, and run by techies who are absolutely dedicated to YOUR privacy and wellbeing.
Gimme a *****g break….
@Ronald Johnson
It’s not only the phone number. Your IP address is also being shared when you use it.
Thanks @Ashwin for the article! :]
I have been using a telegram from the beginning, it was a great lightweight communicator.
now it has turned into a heavy slow harvester, focused on payments. I am almost looking for a replacement.even emoticons cause lag and you have to press multiple times.