Unlike traditional SMS chats, deleting a message from your phone deletes it from the recipient's phone as well. Your messages appear on the right side of the screen in little speech bubbles, and your friends' bubbled messages appear on the left. If you've sent a text message since 2008, you know how this works. The app is also highly customizable, offering universal controls for the theme, background, and other features.Ĭhats are familiar affairs. Everything is animated, snappy, and fun to use. The quality of the Telegram app is immediately apparent. Too many of us have too many abandoned online personae, each of which is a potential security risk. Notably, your Telegram account automatically deletes itself after six months of inactivity-although you can change this interval. (Opens in a new window) Read Our Slack Review Unlike most secure messengers and social networks, Telegram lets you create and access multiple accounts from the same app. Fortunately, I was able to set up an account with my Google Voice number. I was surprised to find my mobile number blocked, which is odd because the last thing I used Telegram for was to communicate with Telegram itself to get some comments on a previous version of this review. Telegram is free to set up and use and only requires a phone number.

Telegram is really a social network that just happens to offer secure messaging in some cases, and for some that will be enough. Although Telegram's independence and interest in privacy are commendable, some key decisions by the company mean it doesn't always compare well to privacy-focused messaging apps that have fewer features. Its video and voice chat can make for a more intimate experience, and fun features like interactive emoji and high-quality stickers only add to the attraction.

With its unique Channels and Groups, Telegram has become a premiere online gathering place and staging area for political movements outside of the Google/Facebook/Twitter hegemony. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.

How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.

How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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