Telegram Desktop

What is Telegram Desktop?

Telegram Desktop is the official desktop client for Telegram, one of the world’s fastest-growing messaging platforms with over 900 million monthly active users. Founded by Pavel Durov in 2013, Telegram has distinguished itself through its focus on speed, security, and powerful features that go far beyond simple messaging. The desktop application brings the full Telegram experience to Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling seamless communication through text, voice, video, and file sharing across all your devices.

What sets Telegram apart from competitors is its combination of cloud-based messaging for instant synchronization, optional end-to-end encrypted Secret Chats, unlimited file sharing up to 2GB per file, and extensive customization through bots and channels. The platform supports groups of up to 200,000 members, making it popular for communities, businesses, and content creators. Whether you’re having private conversations, participating in large group discussions, or following news channels, Telegram Desktop provides a feature-rich, fast, and secure messaging experience.

Key Features

• Cloud-Based Sync: Messages sync instantly across all devices—start a conversation on your phone and continue seamlessly on desktop
• Secret Chats: End-to-end encrypted conversations with self-destructing messages that leave no trace on servers
• Unlimited File Sharing: Send files up to 2GB each with no compression, including documents, videos, and any file type
• Groups and Channels: Create groups with up to 200,000 members or broadcast channels for unlimited subscribers
• Voice and Video Calls: Crystal-clear voice and video calls with screen sharing and up to 1,000 viewers for video broadcasts
• Bots Platform: Interact with AI bots for games, productivity, payments, and countless automations
• Multiple Accounts: Run up to 3 accounts simultaneously in the desktop app
• Customization: Themes, chat folders, custom notification sounds, and extensive appearance settings
• Message Editing: Edit sent messages anytime without time limits, delete messages from both sides
• Telegram Premium: Optional subscription for increased limits, exclusive stickers, and enhanced features

What’s New in Telegram Desktop 2025

• Stories: Share ephemeral content visible for 24 hours with customizable privacy settings
• Business Features: Opening hours, location display, quick replies, and away messages for business accounts
• Telegram Stars: Digital currency for purchasing digital goods and supporting creators
• Improved Video Player: Enhanced video playback with better quality, speed controls, and picture-in-picture mode
• Channel Revenue Sharing: Creators can earn from ads displayed in their channels
• Enhanced Voice Chats: Higher quality audio, noise suppression, and improved group call features
• Collectible Usernames: Unique usernames on blockchain for enhanced identity verification
• Improved Privacy Controls: Granular settings for who can see your phone number, online status, and more

System Requirements

Windows

• Operating System: Windows 7 or later (64-bit recommended)
• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• RAM: 512 MB minimum (2 GB recommended)
• Storage: 200 MB for application, plus space for media cache

macOS

• Operating System: macOS 10.12 Sierra or later
• Processor: Intel or Apple Silicon (native M1/M2/M3 support)
• RAM: 512 MB minimum
• Storage: 200 MB for application

Linux

• Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04+, Fedora 32+, or compatible distribution
• Architecture: 64-bit x86_64
• RAM: 512 MB minimum
• Libraries: Qt 6.x, OpenSSL, FFmpeg

How to Install Telegram Desktop

1. Download Official Client: Visit desktop.telegram.org and download the installer for your operating system. Verify you’re on the official site to avoid malicious copies.
2. Install on Windows: Run the downloaded tsetup.exe installer. Choose installation type (for current user or all users) and destination folder. The installer creates desktop and Start menu shortcuts.
3. Install on macOS: Open the downloaded Telegram.dmg file and drag Telegram to your Applications folder. On first launch, approve the security prompt if shown.
4. Install on Linux: Multiple installation methods available:

   # Official tarball
   wget https://telegram.org/dl/desktop/linux
   tar xvf linux
   ./Telegram
   
   # Snap (Ubuntu/Debian)
   sudo snap install telegram-desktop
   
   # Flatpak
   flatpak install flathub org.telegram.desktop
   
   # Ubuntu/Debian (unofficial PPA)
   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:atareao/telegram
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install telegram
   
   # Arch Linux
   sudo pacman -S telegram-desktop

5. Sign In: Launch Telegram and enter your phone number. You’ll receive a verification code via SMS or through Telegram on another device. Enter the code to access your account.
6. Configure Settings: Access Settings to configure notifications, privacy, chat folders, themes, and keyboard shortcuts. Enable two-factor authentication for enhanced security.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely free with no ads in private chats
• Cloud sync ensures messages available on all devices instantly
• 2GB file sharing far exceeds competitors (WhatsApp: 100MB)
• Secret Chats provide true end-to-end encryption
• Massive group capacity (200,000 members) perfect for communities
• Powerful bot ecosystem for automation and productivity
• Fast performance even with large media libraries
• Native apps for all major platforms including Linux
• Open API and client source code for transparency
• Regular updates with innovative new features

Cons

• Default chats are not end-to-end encrypted (only Secret Chats are)
• Requires phone number for registration
• Smaller user base than WhatsApp in some regions
• Premium features require subscription ($4.99/month)
• Some privacy concerns about cloud-stored messages
• Can be overwhelming with extensive customization options

Telegram vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Telegram Desktop?

Telegram Desktop is ideal for users who value powerful features, cross-device synchronization, and flexibility:

• Content Creators: Channels with unlimited subscribers and revenue sharing make Telegram ideal for building audiences
• Community Managers: 200,000-member groups with powerful moderation tools support large communities
• Developers: Bot API enables creating custom integrations, tools, and automated workflows
• File Sharers: 2GB file limit without compression perfect for sharing large documents, videos, and files
• Privacy-Conscious Users: Secret Chats provide true end-to-end encryption with self-destructing messages
• Multi-Device Users: Seamless cloud sync across phone, tablet, desktop, and web

Consider alternatives if: You need guaranteed end-to-end encryption for all messages (Signal), your contacts primarily use WhatsApp, or you prefer decentralized/open-source solutions (Matrix/Element).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Telegram messages encrypted?

Regular Telegram chats use client-server encryption and are stored on Telegram’s cloud servers. For end-to-end encryption where only you and the recipient can read messages, use Secret Chats. Secret Chats are device-specific and support self-destructing messages.

Can I use Telegram without a phone number?

Initial registration requires a phone number for verification. However, you can then set up a username and hide your phone number from other users. Telegram Premium allows fragmenting phone numbers for enhanced privacy.

How much does Telegram Premium cost?

Telegram Premium costs $4.99/month or $35.99/year. Benefits include 4GB file uploads, faster downloads, exclusive stickers and reactions, no ads, increased limits, and profile customization options.

Is Telegram safe for private conversations?

For maximum privacy, use Secret Chats which provide end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages. Regular chats are encrypted in transit and at rest but are accessible by Telegram. Enable two-factor authentication for account security.

Can I delete messages for everyone?

Yes, Telegram allows deleting messages for all participants at any time without limit. You can delete entire chat histories, and deleted messages are removed from Telegram’s servers and all devices.

Final Verdict

Telegram Desktop delivers a powerful, feature-rich messaging experience that exceeds most competitors in functionality and flexibility. The combination of cloud synchronization, massive file sharing limits, extensive bot ecosystem, and large group capacity makes it particularly valuable for communities, content creators, and power users who need more than basic messaging.

While the default lack of end-to-end encryption for all chats raises valid privacy considerations, Secret Chats provide strong encryption when needed. The active development, regular feature additions, and commitment to keeping core features free ensure Telegram remains a compelling choice in the crowded messaging landscape. For users ready to explore beyond WhatsApp’s limitations, Telegram Desktop offers a world of possibilities.