Highlights
- Telegram now supports live comments and emoji reactions in group calls, plus new tools like Contact Notes and Suggested Birthdays for better contact management.
- Bots can handle threaded conversations and stream responses in real time, Premium users get enhanced profile personalisation with gifts and colour themes.
- Gifts are unified and blockchain-compatible, while iOS users enjoy a new “Liquid Glass” UI.
Caption – (Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash)
Telegram has announced a new update that introduces several interactive and personalisation features aimed at improving communication, contact management, and the overall user experience. The update also brings enhanced functionality for AI bots, a revamped gift system, and new design improvements for iOS users.
Live Comments and Reactions in Video Calls
With this update, group calls and video chats on Telegram are becoming more engaging. Participants can now send live comments and animated emoji reactions directly within the call interface. These short, temporary messages appear briefly on screen, allowing users to share quick thoughts, reactions, or questions without unmuting themselves.
The feature currently supports group calls with fewer than 1,000 participants. Users can access the option by tapping the ‘Message’ button during a call, making it easier to interact in real time.
Smarter Contact Management Tools
Telegram has also introduced new tools to help users better organise their contacts. One of the key additions is Contact Notes, which allows users to add private notes visible only to them on any contact’s profile.
These notes can include personal details like how they met or the person’s job title.
Suggested Birthdays Feature
Another feature, Suggested Birthdays, lets users suggest a contact’s birthdate while editing their information. The contact then receives a notification to confirm and add it to their profile with a single tap. Users can also add their own birthdays under Settings to make remembering special occasions easier.
Custom Profiles and Enhanced AI Bots
Premium Telegram subscribers now have more control over their profile customisation. From the main Settings page, users can personalise their profiles using preset colour schemes or even apply backdrops and symbols from gifts they’ve received. Some collectable gifts also unlock exclusive reply styles, adding a creative touch to conversations.
For developers and chatbot enthusiasts, Telegram has expanded its AI bot capabilities. The platform now supports threaded conversations, allowing bots to manage multiple topics at once. Additionally, AI bots can now stream their responses in real-time, rather than sending full messages after processing. These upgrades enhance interaction speed and efficiency, particularly for bots using large language models (LLMs).
Streamlined Gift System and User Interface
Telegram’s gift system has also been improved. All gifts now appear in a unified list including those from the Gift Marketplace. Users can also see when upgrades for certain gifts will be available at discounted rates.
Recipients can now hide the gift description and sender details when redeeming gifts via Telegram Stars. Moreover, gifts that have been transferred to the blockchain can be displayed on a user’s Telegram profile, provided their account is linked to Fragment.
iOS Design Refresh and Feedback Mini-App
On iOS, Telegram has introduced a “Liquid Glass” design inspired by iOS 26’s interface. This design features translucent and refractive UI elements across navigation bars, keyboards, and sticker panels for a more fluid and premium look.
Additionally, Telegram’s Bug and Suggestion Platform, previously only accessible via the web, has now been integrated as a mini-app. Users can submit bug reports or feature requests directly within the Telegram app itself.
Availability
The new features are available starting with Telegram version 12.1 and above.
Android users can update via the Google Play Store or download the APK from telegram.org/android. Meanwhile, iOS users can update the app through the App Store.
This latest update highlights Telegram’s ongoing push to blend communication, creativity, and AI.
FAQs
Q1. What new features have been added to Telegram video calls?
Answer. Telegram now supports live comments and animated emoji reactions during group video calls with fewer than 1,000 participants. Users can tap the ‘Message’ button during a call to send short, on-screen messages without unmuting.
Q2. How has Telegram improved contact management?
Answer. Telegram introduced Contact Notes, allowing users to add private notes (like job titles or how they met) to any contact’s profile. It also added a Suggested Birthdays feature, enabling users to suggest and confirm birthdays for easier reminders.
Q3. What upgrades have been made to Telegram’s AI bots?
Answer. AI bots now support threaded conversations and can stream responses in real time. It makes interactions faster and more dynamic, especially for bots powered by large language models.