How do you use Telegram
Instant messaging applications are now part of our daily life: between work groups, friends and so on and so forth, the dear “old” SMS are practically no longer used (of course, some “traditionalists” have remained, but undeniable the fact that there has been an important change). In this context, solutions such as WhatsApp and Telegram have seen resounding success, so much so that if you do not have at least one of these two apps, you are almost “cut off” from certain communications.
On the other hand, these services allow you to send messages quickly, potentially reaching anyone quickly and at any time. I can understand why this is not exactly “genius” at all, but in the end you too had to start wondering how to use Telegram. Don’t worry: it’s actually all very simple, more than a novice user might think.
All you need is a few minutes of free time and, of course, your phone number and a device compatible with the official Telegram application. For the rest, I’m here to help you in your intent and in fact in the course of the tutorial you will find all the necessary information. I will start from the basics, in order to dispel practically any possible doubt. That said, there is nothing left for me to do but wish you a good read!
Index
- What is Telegram
- How to use Telegram
- How to use Telegram on Android
- How to use Telegram on iPhone
- How to use Telegram on PC
- How to use Telegram on Smart TV
- How to use Telegram without number
What is Telegram
Before going into the details of the procedure on how to use Telegram, I think it may interest you to know more about this service.
Well, it is an instant messaging application, in other words, an alternative to WhatsApp. The similarities with the latter are therefore evident: you can send messages for free, via an Internet connection. However, you would be wrong to think that everything is identical to WhatsApp.
In fact, there are important differences: the service can be used without problems and without always having to keep the smartphone connected on multiple devices, even between different platforms (for example, Android, iOS, Windows and macOS). Let me explain: if you want to use your profile on two smartphones and maybe even on the PC at the same time, you can do it. This also means that by going through a chat with yourself (called Saved Messages ) you can even quickly switch files from one device to another. Put simply, there is a kind of private space.
In addition to this, there is the possibility of creating channels, or “pages” in which to update other people on what you are doing (without them being able to respond, it is a sort of space dedicated to fans or however to those who are interested in a certain type of communication). Obviously, there is also the possibility of creating groups, just as it is possible to create secret chats or conversations in which messages self-destruct (these chats are the only ones that use end-to-end encryption, thus offering the maximum degree of privacy, as messages travel encrypted even on Telegram servers).
Telegram also “embraces” the open-source philosophy: users can see the “behind the scenes” and therefore fully understand how developers work. In addition, this potentially allows users to carry out projects related to the application, for example by creating bots. Put simply, artificial intelligences can be created that respond automatically. If you have not fully understood this possibility and you may be wondering how to use Telegram for bots, you might want to take a look at my guide to the best bots for Telegram. If, on the other hand, you are wondering how Telegram is used for music, you can refer to the special guide.
For completeness of information, you must know that on Android there is also another version of Telegram, in addition to the “classic” one: I am referring to Telegram X, which represents a version that winks at developers and users more “geeks” “. In fact, this app is more customizable and allows you to try out more features.
However, if you want some advice, unless you know this world well, better aim for the “basic” version of Telegram, which is the one available on all other operating systems and which I will explain how to use in the next lines of this guide.
How to use Telegram
After telling you what it is, I’d say it’s time to take action and start using Telegram. Below you can find quick indications broken down by platforms that will allow you to reach your goal.
How to use Telegram on Android
If you have an Android device and want to start using Telegram from it, the procedure to follow is simple.
In fact, to install the app, just open the Play Store, search for “telegram”, press the app icon (a paper plane on a blue background) and tap the Install button. After that, the download and installation will start automatically. If your Android device doesn’t have the Play Store (and Google services in general), you might instead be interested in my tutorial on how to install apps on Huawei.
Once Telegram is open, press the Start texting button and type in your phone number (you may be asked to select your country and area code ). Then click on the right arrow icon to proceed. At this point, you will receive an SMS with a confirmation code, which you will need to type. In case you have previously configured Telegram with your phone number, you will simply be sent an access code on the device you used previously (you will find a message in the chat with Telegram).
Perfect, you are now inside Telegram. To start, I suggest you press on the hamburger icon in the top left, in order to access the main menu. From here you can do a little bit of everything, since there are the buttons New group ( here more info, if you are wondering how to use Telegram for groups ), Contacts ( here more details ), Calls, People nearby (to find people who like you want to make new acquaintances) and Saved Messages (chat with yourself).
For the rest, returning to the main Telegram screen, here you can find all the appropriate chats. To start a new conversation, just tap on the pencil icon at the bottom right (in this way you can also start a secret chat ), while to search for one you can use the magnifying glass icon (which peeks out top right). Once in a chat, using the main features is very simple: at the bottom, there is the field to enter the text, flanked by a smiley(to use emojis), a paperclip icon (for attachments), and a microphone icon (for voice messages).
By tapping on the text field, the keyboard will appear on the screen. You can then write your message and send it using the appropriate button. If, on the other hand, you want to make a call or a video call via an Internet connection with the person you are writing to, just press on the three dots icon, present at the top right, then selecting the Call or Video call item. The first time you may be asked to grant some permissions necessary for the app to function properly.
For the rest, from the menu from which you can start calls, you can also use the options Search (to find something within the messages of that chat), Clear history and Silence notifications. To see more information about the contact you are chatting with, just click on their name, at the top. Perfect, now you know a little about all the basics of Telegram: I leave the further exploration of the app to you, but now you know how to actually start using Telegram. I assure you that once you get used to it, everything will come to you in a “natural” way.
For completeness of information, I remind you that Telegram is also available on Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches, as you can learn more on the official portal.
How to use Telegram on iPhone
The Telegram instant messaging application is also available for free download on iPhone and iPad.
The first thing you need to do to use it is to open the App Store, the virtual store through which you download games and applications on Apple smartphones and tablets. Once the latter is open, tap on the button with the magnifying glass symbol that you can find in the menu at the bottom, next to the Search item. Using the search engine, type “telegram” and then press the Search button from your smartphone keyboard.
As soon as you see the results of the search you have carried out, locate the Telegram messaging application: its icon has the shape of a paper airplane on a light blue background. To install it on your smartphone, press the Get button; if prompted, verify your identity with Face ID, Touch ID, or Apple ID password. By doing so, the download and installation will be carried out automatically.
Once you enter the application, everything is very similar to what I have already illustrated in the chapter related to Android. To register, simply type in your phone number and use the appropriate confirmation code. However, there are “changes” in terms of the interface. For example, to start a new conversation you have to press on the pencil icon at the top right, while to access features such as Saved Messages you have to move to the Settings tab, present at the bottom right. The Contacts tab is instead present at the bottom left.
However, net of some “movement” of buttons and options, the possibilities offered are clearly those and you should therefore have no problem in sending messages (which is practically the same way) or making calls and video calls. In the latter case, just enter the chat with a person, click on their name at the top and select the appropriate option. In short, using Telegram from smartphones and tablets is very simple and I’m sure you’ll get used to it in a short time.
For the rest, for the sake of completeness of information regarding the Apple ecosystem, you must know that it is possible to use Telegram also on Apple Watch. In this case, I recommend that you consult the appropriate guide dedicated to Apple Watch apps.
How to use Telegram on PC
How do you say? Would you like to use Telegram on a computer? No problem, I’ll tell you how to do it right away. Obviously, you will need to have a device in which you have your phone number associated with the service in order to perform this operation.
Starting with Windows, if you use Windows 10 or later, just go to the Microsoft Store. Alternatively, you can connect to the official website of the service, press the Download Telegram for Windows button (or alternatively choose the Portable version, which does not require installation). This way, you will get the setup- [version] .exe file. Then open the latter, select the language and press the OK button. After that, click the Next buttons three times in succession, Install and Finish to complete the installation. If you have any doubts or problems, you can consult my guide on how to download applications on PC.
As for macOS, however, there are two official versions of Telegram: the Lite one , which “traces” the universal application available on other platforms, and Telegram, which is designed specifically for macOS and, therefore, more “integrated” with the system. I recommend the latter.
Since Telegram for macOS is available on the Mac App Store, you probably already know how to proceed: press the GET button and then the INSTALL button. You may be required to verify your identity with Apple ID or Touch ID.
Once the program is open, press the START MESSAGE button: a QR Code will appear on the screen. Take, therefore, in your hand the device from which you previously configured Telegram (for example, your smartphone), open Telegram from it, go to Settings> Devices> Scan QR code (or similar), guarantee all possible appropriate permissions and scan the QR code with your device’s camera. Perfect, you are now inside Telegram.
This is the quickest method, but in reality, by selecting the appropriate option under the QR Code, you can also think of simply switching to the phone number, a bit like, for example, the first configuration on Android. In any case, once you have entered, using the service through this version is very simple: on the left there are all the chats, while on the right there is their content. You can quickly message via the appropriate bar at the bottom, which also includes buttons for attachments, emojis and voice messages.
If you want to access the settings you can do so using the hamburger icon at the top left, while you just need to click on the name of a contact to get more information about the latter. The calls are made through the ‘ icon of handset present at the top right, and just use the option Search located in the top left to find contacts and more. In short, using Telegram on a PC is not that complex.
Net of this, if you are wondering how to use Telegram Web, in this case you just need to connect to the appropriate portal and use the same method I indicated above (that of the QR Code ) to quickly access the service. Alternatively, also in this case you can press the SIGN IN WITH THE PHONE NUMBER key and log in in that way. For the rest, if you have doubts about using the service on a computer, I suggest you consult my tutorial on how to install Telegram on a PC.
How to use Telegram on Smart TV
If you intend to use Telegram on Smart TV, you must know that it is possible to do this, but only through compatible Android TV or TV Boxes that have the Play Store.
In fact, it is not easy to find the Telegram app on classic television operating systems, but in the cases mentioned it is possible to do so. In fact, if you have an Android TV or a compatible TV Box, just start the Play Store, search for “telegram”, select the most relevant result and press the Install button first and then ACCEPT.
After that, since it is the version of the app for Android, setting it up is child’s play: just follow the instructions in the chapter dedicated to Android mobile devices. Even the use is almost the same, obviously net of the interface that adapts to the width of the screen. In any case, for any doubts about the procedure, I suggest you consult my tutorial on how to connect Telegram to TV , in which I went further in detail.
How to use Telegram without a number
If you are going to use the service without a phone number, I have some pointers that might come in handy.
More precisely, I can only advise you to consult my guide on how to use Telegram without a number, in which I have illustrated the situation in detail.
For the rest, if you are interested in further exploring what the instant messaging application offers, you may be interested in consulting my tutorial on how Telegram works.