Telegram
About Telegram
You need to send a 1.5 GB video or a zip folder to a colleague, but standard chat apps reject anything over a few megabytes or force your phone to stay online to sync desktop sessions. Telegram handles those transfers directly through its cloud infrastructure without tethering your mobile device.
Messages and media sync independently across phones, tablets, and computers. Standard chats use cloud encryption built on 256-bit AES, 2048-bit RSA, and Diffie-Hellman keys, letting you wipe any message from both sides at any moment. Large groups can expand up to 200,000 members, and automated bots can process routine tasks inside conversations.
If you need end-to-end encryption where server operators cannot access your data, standard chats will not suffice. You have to open a Secret Chat manually, which enables end-to-end encryption and automatic self-destruction for text, photos, and files. Note also that installing the client requires granting broad device permissions, including full access to your contacts, call records, and precise GPS location.
Built-in editors let you adjust photos and videos before sending, alongside custom themes, animated stickers, and an open GIF platform. Developers can audit the client source code through verifiable builds or construct automated tools using the free API.
- Cloud SyncingAccess your conversations on multiple phones or computers without keeping your primary mobile device connected.
- Heavy File TransfersSend videos, archives, and documents up to 2 GB each without taking up storage space on your phone.
- Secret ChatsEnable end-to-end encryption with self-destructing timers for messages, media, and attachments.
- Massive CommunitiesBuild public or private group chats containing up to 200,000 participants and automated bots.
Permissions
- Identity
- find accounts on the device
- Identity
- add or remove accounts
- Identity
- read your own contact card
- Contacts
- find accounts on the device
- Contacts
- read your contacts
- Contacts
- modify your contacts
- Location
- approximate location (network-based)
- Location
- precise location (GPS and network-based)
- Phone
- directly call phone numbers
- Phone
- read call log
- Phone
- read phone status and identity
- Photos/Media/Files
- read the contents of your USB storage
- Photos/Media/Files
- modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Storage
- read the contents of your USB storage
- Storage
- modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
- Camera
- take pictures and videos
- Microphone
- record audio
- Wi-Fi connection information
- view Wi-Fi connections
- Device ID & call information
- read phone status and identity
- Other
- view network connections
- Other
- create accounts and set passwords
- Other
- pair with Bluetooth devices
- Other
- full network access
- Other
- change your audio settings
- Other
- read sync settings
- Other
- run at startup
- Other
- draw over other apps
- Other
- control vibration
- Other
- prevent device from sleeping
- Other
- toggle sync on and off
- Other
- install shortcuts
- Other
- uninstall shortcuts
- Other
- read Google service configuration
Common questions
Is Telegram safe to use for private messages?
Standard Telegram chats use cloud encryption with AES-256, RSA-2048, and Diffie–Hellman keys. For full end-to-end encryption where only you and the recipient can read content, you must use Secret Chats.
Can I use Telegram on desktop without my phone?
Yes. Telegram runs standalone apps across devices, so your computer app works even when your phone is turned off or offline.
What is the maximum file size you can send on Telegram?
You can share individual files of any format, including ZIP, MP3, and DOCX, up to 2 GB per file.
Get Telegram
Cloud-based chat with large file sharing and self-destructing messages
Alternatives
