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Telegram tips

2 ways you can use Telegram​

  1. Install the app https://telegram.org/apps
  2. Use the web version https://web.telegram.org/z/

The teams are friendly competing with each other and have almost the same features. The only feature difference between the 2 is that the app version can play audio messages in 2x speed.

How to add someone​

By username​

  • You don't have to disclose your phone number to add someone.
  • Username is
    • optional
    • case-insensitive.
    • public
  1. Click the button on the top left corner
  2. Click "Contacts"
  3. Click the search button that looks like magnifying glasses
  4. Enter the username and search

By location​

  • Both parties need to click the "People Nearby" in menu
  • The fastest way to add someone face-to-face
  • Useless if trying to add someone not with you
    • Location can be faked by software
    • Prostitutes will harass

By phone contacts​

Sync phone contacts in order to add them directly. This should not be a privacy concern for most people considering that most apps require that permission to install. This collects phone contacts and IP in addition to phone number.

  1. Click the button on the top left corner
  2. Click "Settings"
  3. Click "Sync Contacts"

Limitations​

  • Your account will only be deleted under 2 cases

    • Inactive for 1 year
    • Your government can prove you are a terrorist (you would be in jail by then)

  • The public channels need to obey certian rules or be shut down (with some leniency)

    • No porn
    • No illegal info (ISIS recruitment etc.)
    • No copyright infrigement

Usage tips​

Settings​

  • When using the app for the 1st time, go through the settings by

    1. Click the button on the top left corner
    2. Click "settings"

  • The settings for each account are independent

  • Set notifications in-App (the Android or iOS level settings is less granular)

    • Especially the "groups" option
    • Disable all "In-app", "Channels", and "Groups" notifications. Add "Exception" when needed

  • For most people, set the "privacy" permission to "My Contacts" for the following

    • Forwarded messages
    • Calls
    • Groups

Messaging basics​

  • Read messages

    • Click the down arrow to scroll to the 1st unread message
    • If the message is a quote, click the quote to scroll up to the quoted message, then click the down arrow to scroll back to the quote
    • One check（✔️）: message sent
    • Two checks（✔️✔️）: message read

  • Write messages

    • Use #️⃣ to create a searchable tag
    • Can edit/replace message after sent

  • Reply messages

    • Phone: swipe left
    • Computer: left click the "reply" button

  • Like messages

    • Phone: double tap the message
    • Computer: hover on the message until a "thumb up" icon comes up, click on it

  • Send messages

    • Long press (right click) to access advanced features
    • Send without sound to not disturb someone's sleep
    • Scheduled Message
    • Secret Message

  • Search messages

    • Can use dates
      • 2021
      • 01.2021
      • 01.02.2021 means January the 2nd

  • Audio messages

    • The wave pattern shows where the volume is the loudest
    • Click/press to play/pause
    • Swipe to dial forward or back
    • Supports 2x speed playback

  • Call

    • Audio and video calls are encrypted with superb quality
    • Confirm the 4 emojis are the same as others' if you really want to make sure

Channels and groups​

  • Choose between a "channel" and a "group"

    • 1 account can have at most 10 public usernames

    • Only admin can post in "channel", others can comment

      • Ideal for announcement
      • Less trolls
      • Less interaction

    • Anyone can post in a "group"

      • Ideal for chat rooms
      • More trolls

  • Choose between "private group" and "public group/channel"

    • Private groups
    • Public groups
      • have a unique public ID and easy-to-remember URL
      • Easy analytics with tools like https://telemetr.io/en/channels
      • Be aware of spams, bots, and privacy issues

Anti-spam bots​

Open source bots

Read more​

About the people behind Telegram​

Built in 2013 after Edward Snowden told the world about how the US government monitors its own citizens to a shocking extent.

Unlike other social apps, the founders claim they have nevered shared any data with any 3rd party.

Their own words:

We believe that humans are inherently intelligent and benevolent beings that deserve to be trusted; trusted with freedom to share their thoughts, freedom to communicate privately, freedom to create tools. This philosophy defines everything we do.

Technical stuff if you can understand it​

  • Search indexing is delimited by special chracters or space
  • CJK languages are indexed by phrase not character
  • Open source client App + hidden server code
  • Client-Server encryption only, raw text in the server
  • VOIP numbers cannot create location based groups
  • Uses its own information transfer protocol MTProto