Cloud-based instant messaging and voice-over IP service Telegram is updating its app with a bunch of new features. That includes an auto-delete timer for messages in any chat, flexible invite links, and faster access to chats with home screen widgets. Also, groups can now have unlimited members.

Auto-Delete Messages

Telegram users can delete messages for all participants in a conversation at any time, without a trace. Since 2013, users can also set a self-destruct timer for messages in Secret Chats.

Starting today, you can enable an auto-delete timer in all Telegram chats, which will automatically erase messages for all participants either 24 hours or 7 days after sending.

Auto-delete only applies to messages sent after the timer is set, earlier messages will stay in the chat history. Unlike in Secret Chats, the countdown starts when messages are sent, not read.

To enable the timer on Android, tap ⋮ > Clear History then choose a duration.
On iOS, press and hold a message, tap Select > Clear Chat (top-left) > Enable Auto-Delete.

Home Screen Widgets

On Android, chats and messages in the widget will always be up to date, and you can further expand the widget to take up more of your screen. On iOS, widgets will only get fresh data occasionally and can’t be expanded – this is due to system limitations.

Buy Me A Coffee

To add a widget, press and hold on your home screen, then tap Widgets on Android or the (+) on iOS and search for Telegram.

Expiring Invite Links

Invite links are a quick and easy way to bring 1 or 1 million people to your groups and channels. Along with the main invite link, owners and admins can now create additional links with a limited durationnumber of uses, or both.

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Any invite link can be converted into a scannable QR Code to put on everything from brochures to billboards. You can also see which users joined using each invite link to find out where new members came from or which format has been most effective for growth.

To view and manage invite links, tap to open your Group or Channel’s Profile > Edit > Invite Links. Tap (⋮) or (⋯) to convert a link to a QR Code.

And More Animated Emoji

A new update always means new animations, so test out the new characters below by sending a single emoji in any chat.

You can see the full list of new features on Telegram’s blog.