Telegram has announced a major update that significantly enhances user experience, security and automation across the platform. This update brings end-to-end encrypted group calls, advanced automation tools for Telegram Business accounts, expanded gifting features, new gestures and an improved system for appealing account restrictions.
Secure Group Calls Made Easy
Building on its powerful video chat and live stream capabilities introduced in 2021, Telegram now offers extra-secure, instant group calls without requiring users to create a group chat. Ideal for spontaneous meetings or casual conversations, users can now:
Add up to 200 participants to any ongoing call
Share audio, video, or their screen
Invite others via a call link or QR code
Instantly verify end-to-end encryption using matching emoji
These group calls are secured using blockchain-inspired distributed technology, ensuring that even Telegram cannot secretly access or monitor any conversation. Security researchers are encouraged to review the open-source documentation and encryption protocols that power these features.
Protect your calls with encryption and distributed security
Group calls are secured using blockchain-inspired distributed technology, ensuring that even Telegram cannot secretly access or monitor any conversation. Security researchers are encouraged to review the open-source documentation and encryption protocols that power these features.
How to start a group call
Telegram offers multiple ways to initiate a group call:
From an active call: Tap 'Add Person' during any ongoing call
Via the Calls Tab: Select 'New Call' and choose multiple contacts
Using a link or QR code: Generate call links or scannable QR codes directly from the Calls Tab
This versatility supports both impromptu calls and scheduled conversations, across platforms and devices.
Automated Business Accounts
Premium users of Telegram Business can now integrate third-party bots β including AI-driven ones β to automate customer interactions. Over ten new controls allow businesses to manage messages, profiles, transactions, and stories.
Permissions for bots can be finely tuned via toggles such as:
Manage Messages
Manage Profile Photos
Post Stories
Edit or Delete Messages
These settings ensure businesses maintain full control while streamlining daily operations.
Get More Gifts with These New Settings
With Telegram users exchanging over 10 million gifts monthly, the platform has introduced more customization options:
Add a 'Gift' button to chats
Control which gifts appear on oneβs profile
Choose who can send gifts and what kind
Popular accounts can now limit gifts to 'Unique' or 'Limited-Edition' items, keeping inboxes organized and exclusive. Gifts can also be pinned, showcased as status updates, or transferred to other users or blockchain wallets.
How to manage your gifts
Users can access full gift controls under Settings > Privacy & Security > Gifts or view individual gifts via My Profile > Gifts Tab. From there, they can:
Show or hide specific gifts
Pin them to the top
Wear them as status symbols
Transfer or trade them
To send a gift, users simply open a profile and tap 'Send Gift'.
Appeal Account Restrictions with Frozen Accounts
Telegram has refined its moderation and appeals system to ensure fairness. Suspicious accounts that are banned are now placed in a frozen state, allowing users to submit appeals directly within the app. If the appeal is successful, all restrictions are lifted. This process balances community safety with transparency, while still enabling swift action against scammers and spammers.
Do More Things Faster With New Gestures
Telegram has introduced intuitive gestures to simplify interactions:
On iOS and Android, users can hold and drag the share arrow to forward messages in one motion
On iOS, swiping right on the story list or main chat list instantly opens the Story Editor
These gestures speed up navigation and content creation across the app.
