Telegram Adds Encrypted Group Calls, Business Tools and Smarter Gift Controls in Latest Update

Highlights

• Telegram now supports end-to-end encrypted calls with up to 200 participants, screen sharing, invite links and blockchain-style security.
• New AI-powered automation tools added for business accounts, better gift management, letting users customise gift visibility and preferences.
• Telegram also introduced faster navigation gestures, easier account restriction appeals and streamlined reporting for unknown contacts.

Telegram has rolled out a new update packed with features like end-to-end encrypted group calls, automation tools for business accounts, better gift management, easier appeal options for restricted accounts, and new gestures for faster navigation. Here’s what’s new.

Encrypted Group Calls

Telegram now fully supports end-to-end encrypted group calls for privacy. These calls don’t need a group chat to start and are perfect for meetings or casual chats. Here’s what you get:

• Up to 200 participants in a single call
• Share audio, video, or your screen
• Invite others using a link or QR code
• Check encryption with four matching emojis on-screen

Telegram says these calls are completely private and protected by blockchain-style security, meaning no one, not even Telegram, can listen in. The company also highlighted that its code is open-source and it’s been offering $100,000 to anyone who can break its encryption for over a decade with no success so far.

To start a call, follow steps below –

• From a call screen, tap “Add Person”
• Or go to Calls Tab (enable it from Settings > Recent Calls), select contacts or tap “Create Call Link”
• Share the link or generate a QR code via the ⋯ menu

New Tools for Telegram Business Accounts

Caption – New Tools for Telegram Business Accounts added in the latest Telegram update. (Image credit – Telegram)

If you use Telegram Business (part of Telegram Premium), you now get more automation. You can connect AI-powered chatbots to handle:

• Replies
• Profile updates
• Payments
• Story posting

There are also 10+ new permissions, like “Manage Messages” or “Manage Profile,” which let bots do specific tasks. You can tweak everything under Settings > Telegram Business > Chatbots.

Enhanced Gift Features

Telegram’s Gifts feature, launched last October, sees users exchange over 10 million gifts a month. These gifts use Stars and can be upgraded into blockchain collectables. With this update, you can:

• Add a Gift button to your chat input field
• Decide which gifts show up on your profile (from specific people, etc.)
• Premium users can choose to receive only certain gift types like “Unique” or “Limited-Edition”

Manage gifts by going to –

• Settings > Privacy & Security > Gifts
• Or Settings > My Profile > Gifts Tab

From there, you can Show or hide gifts, Pin favourites, Wear them as a status, Transfer them to other users or a blockchain wallet and To send a gift, just tap “Send Gift” on someone’s profile.

Easier Account Restriction Appeals

Telegram says it’s fast and accurate at banning spam or scam accounts. Now, if your account gets restricted, it’s not logged out, you’ll see a “frozen” version that lets you appeal the decision. If the appeal is successful, you get full access back.

You can also block and report unknown contacts right from the top of a chat.

New Gestures for Faster Navigation

Telegram added quick gestures to make things smoother –

• iOS and Android: Hold the share arrow, slide to a recent chat or “Saved Messages,” and release to forward faster

• iOS only: Swipe right on your chat list or recent stories to launch the story editor

Update Availability

These features are part of Telegram version 11.9.1 or later, now rolling out to iOS and Android. Android users can download the latest version from telegram.org/android or the Google Play Store.

FAQs

Q1. What new features does Telegram’s latest update bring to group calls?

Answer. Telegram now supports end-to-end encrypted group calls with up to 200 participants, allowing screen sharing and inviting others via links or QR codes. Encryption is verified with four matching emojis on-screen for added security.

Q2. How has Telegram improved business accounts in this update?

Answer. Telegram Business users can now connect AI-powered chatbots to automate replies, profile updates, payments, and story posting. There are also 10+ new permissions for managing business tasks.

Q3. What changes have been made to Telegram’s gift system?

Answer. Users can now customise gift visibility on their profiles, add a Gift button to the chat input field, and Telegram Premium users can choose specific gift types to receive.

Also Read: Telegram’s Latest Update Brings More Privacy, Chromecast Support, and New Monetisation Features