How to Use Telegram on Your Computer

Telegram is a free messaging app used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Unlike WhatsApp, which tethers its desktop version to your phone being on and nearby, Telegram's desktop apps are standalone — they work even when your phone is powered off, because all your messages are stored in Telegram's cloud rather than only on your device.

This makes Telegram desktop particularly convenient for long typing sessions, sharing large files, or using Telegram as your primary messaging tool on a computer.

To get started, download the Telegram desktop app from telegram.org/desktop. Choose the version for your operating system — Windows, Mac, or Linux. Install it like any other application.

When you first open it, Telegram asks for your phone number. Enter the number associated with your Telegram account. A verification code is sent to you via the Telegram app on your phone (or via SMS if needed). Enter that code on the computer and you're logged in.

All your existing conversations, channels, and groups appear immediately on the desktop app. The interface has your chats listed on the left and the active conversation on the right — similar to most messaging apps.

One of Telegram's most useful features is its file sharing capability. You can send files up to 2GB per file — far more than most other messaging apps. This makes it excellent for sharing large videos, photo albums, or document packages with family or colleagues.

Telegram Channels are worth knowing about. These are one-way broadcast feeds — think of them like subscribing to a newsletter or a news feed. Organizations, media outlets, and content creators post to channels and you receive updates. Search for a topic or organization name to find channels you'd like to follow.

The search function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Cmd+F on Mac) lets you search within any conversation for a specific word or message. This is extremely useful when you need to find something someone sent weeks or months ago without scrolling back through everything.