Telegram update lets you add spoiler alerts in media, brings new ways to manage storage
Telegram has updated its apps with new ways to manage storage on mobile phones. The instant messaging app now lets you mark videos and images as spoilers.
Telegram adds spoiler formatting for media
Spoiler formatting isn't new to Telegram, the feature has been available since December 2021, but until now only supported text messages. The latest update for the app allows you to mark photos and videos as spoilers, so when you send it to your contact or a group, the image will be hidden, and users can view the media by tapping/clicking on it.
To use it, attach a picture or video (or copy and paste it) to a chat, don't hit the send button. Tap the three-dot menu, and select "Hide with spoiler", and then click Send. The image or video will be obfuscated by a shimmering layer (animated effect).
Zero Storage Usage
You may know that Telegram stores your messages and attachments on its cloud storage servers. It allows you to delete media any time, and even set a maximum cache size limit, to automatically delete files from your device's storage over time. Now, you can configure it to auto delete cached content from groups, channels, and private chats. It also lets you exclude specific chats from the automatic removal, in case you would like to preserve the media from some personal conversations.
Go to the Settings > Storage page to view a pie chart that shows you what's using up the space. It has dedicated tabs for various file types (media, files and music), which can be used to free up your storage quickly. Telegram calls this file management system as Zero Storage Usage.
Topics are available for all groups
Telegram's announcement states that Topics are now available in all groups, and that it is no longer restricted by the size requirement. I cannot confirm whether this works, perhaps it is rolling out on an A/B basis.
New tools in the media editor
Telegram's media editor has been overhauled, it has some new tools. The photo editor has a blur tool for obfuscating data, an eye dropper tool. The app has a new drawing tool that lets you create shapes such as rectangles, circles, arrows, stars, and chat bubbles.
The text caption tool (for photos and videos) now has options to change the font size, type and background, and you can add custom animated emojis, even if you don't have Telegram Premium.
Suggest profile pictures for contacts
You can now suggest a new profile picture for your contact, by selecting a photo for them. The option can be accessed from a contact's Profile > Edit, select the "Suggest Photo for" option, and they will be notified about your suggestion. If they accept the change, their profile image will be changed. Alternatively, if you want to set a profile picture for them, choose the "Set Photo for" option, this only changes their picture for you.
Images via Telegram
Privacy related features
Users who have allowed specific users to view their profile, can now set a different photo that can be viewed by everyone. Head to the Settings > Privacy and Security > Profile Photo, to edit your profile's options. Those who prefer to not allow anyone to view their picture, can set their profile image's visibility to Nobody, you can still allow certain users and groups to see your image.
Admins of groups that have more than 100 members can choose to hide the member list from users. This will protect members from unwanted attention from other users.
The update brings a handful of new custom animated emojis for Telegram Premium users, as well as some interactive emoji for all users.
I am always amazed at the hypocrisy of programs like telegram. They claim to be a privacy company yet you need a cell phone to use it. At least to register. You must install it on a cell phone, register, providing your cell phone number, the most exploited and precious personal data that exists, then if you want you can install a crippled version on your desktop.
And they happily give out people’s details when asked.
A privacy focused messaging “app” hey?
Not even close. No thanks. I don’t own a cell phone anyway.
@Lurker this seems to be a growing problem. Reddit does the same thing – bans people for asking for help. An heaven forbid you should ever try to contact a mod… Instant ban
My experience with Telegram is that it likes to randomly ban people for “spamming” when they ask for help in public channels dedicated to providing support of sites/products, removing their ability to communicate with anyone not already on their list or post in any public channel, and it takes weeks of complaints via their chatbot until somebody on their team eventually reverts it.
They seem to be the only chat platform that issues such broad band without any human oversight.
My takeaway from this experience: avoid telegram and all sites/products that use it for support.
Thanks @Ashwin for the article! :]