Telegram Launches Auto Delete Message Option and Other New Features

Messenger app Telegram has launched some new features that aim to enhance the user chat experience. The new features also claim to provide a higher level of privacy and security. Telegram has introduced an Auto-delete messages feature for chats in person, groups or channels. The app has also introduced Broadcast Groups where the participants can connect with a live voice chat.

To upgrade the security level on the platform, Telegram has made it quicker and easier for users to report any spam content or fake accounts. The messenger enhances user privacy with expiring links where admins have the right to edit the duration and number of uses.

All the new features

Auto Delete Messages

Telegram users can delete messages for all participants in a conversation at any time without leaving a trace behind. This feature was only available for Secret Chats earlier. Now they can able to set a timer of 24 hours or 7 days in any chats before sending messages. After the selected timeframe, the messages will disappear for all the users in a Group or Channel, or the single recipient in an individual chat.

In Group and Channels, only admins can enable this feature or edit it. All the messages show a countdown to their deletion time, users can track the time to a specific message by simply tap on Android or press and hold on iOS. Auto-delete only applies to messages sent after the timer is set, earlier messages will stay in the chat history.

To enable the timer on Android, tap ⋮ > Clear History then choose a duration. On iOS, press and hold a message, tap Select > Clear Chat (top-left) > Enable Auto-Delete.

Broadcast Groups

Telegram introduces a new form of Group where only admins can send messages but all the participants can join the live voice chat for discussions via audio. Normal Telegram Groups allows member addition upto 2, 00,000. Broadcast Groups are ideal for large communities, where people can follow along, and catch exclusive interviews, news, or just casual talks.

Improved Reporting System

With this feature, Telegram aims to make the platform abuse free for all users. The improved reporting system will help users report any spam content, Fake accounts, any content related to violence, child abuse, pornography, etc. User can also select a specific message while reporting. Additionally, all reporting options allow you to add a comment to give more context. This overall helps Telegram to better understand the concern quickly.

Expiring Invite Links and Scannable QR Codes for invites

Joining links help the communities on Telegram to grow faster. In addition to the main joining link to any Channel or Group, admins can create additional links to share with limited duration and number of uses or both. Along with the same, now users can convert any invite link to a scannable QR Code to put on everything from brochures to billboards. Admins can also track from what sources more number of users are joining. This helps them to map the performance and growth of Channels or Groups.

Home Screen Widgets

Users can now add widgets on their screen while they are on Android or iOS. The Chat Widget shows a preview of recent messages, while the Shortcut Widget shows only names and profile pictures. On Android, the chats and messages in the widgets will always up to date with further expansion options whereas, on iOS, it will be on an occasional basis. To add a widget, press and hold on your home screen, then tap Widgets on Android or the (+) on iOS and search for Telegram.

Improved Chat Import feature and New Animated emojis

Telegram is continuously making efforts for users who are migrating from other messaging applications. With this new update, now it is much easier for users to sort the imported messages by their original date. This feature is available on a Telegram chat that is new or has fewer than 1000 messages. Sorting by the original date is only available for one-on-one chats currently all newly created groups and smaller existing groups. The platform has also introduced new and updated animated emojis as well.