---
description: Get an overview of the Telegram channel and its capabilities.
title: Telegram Overview
image: https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2F3f43c48b21b24f4e8b02b100c0c8fab0
---

[New🌍 WhatsApp API Calling is now available globally! Start making calls with respond.io today. Learn more![arrow-icon](https://assets1-proxy.respond.io/api/v1/image/assets%2F11f7a662b80a4675973850b067c01fa5%2Fe43213a7a9314673bd8d2060c25f9b87)](/whatsapp-business-calling-api)

Help me with... ⌘ 

1. [All Collections >](/help)
2. [ Channels >](/help/channels)
3. [ Telegram >](/help/telegram)
4. Telegram Overview

# Telegram Overview

![Avatar](https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/2Y6LIr15mC1nj8MgftMVT5/6ffeea71593277f0fc29dafd1c1de9b9/Serene_Avatar.svg)

Shing-Yi Tan

· 15 Nov 2025

3 min read

![](https://assets2-proxy.respond.io/ph8r57dk1q9w/6bDkuhRlYaKxCYtD66I1j0/24e69380fd725641422365f993b0a31f/telegram-logo.png?fm=jpg&q=80&w=256)

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging and voice-over IP service developed by Telegram Messenger LLP.

Learn how to [connect your Telegram bot to respond.io here](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram). Once connected, this Telegram bot integration lets you respond to messages directly from our platform.

## Pricing

You can use Telegram for free.

You may opt to subscribe to [Telegram Premium](https://telegram.org/faq%5Fpremium) with a monthly fee to get exclusive features from Telegram.

## Capturing Conversation

Telegram requires customers to send your business the first message to start a conversation.

There are a couple of ways to encourage customers to initiate a chat:

* [Chat links](https://respond.io/help/quick-start/getting-contacts-to-message-you): This is a shortened URL using the `t.me/username` format that you can add to your website, social media profiles or newsletters. When customers click the link, they will be directed to start a chat with you.
* [QR codes](https://respond.io/help/quick-start/getting-contacts-to-message-you): A QR code can be placed in physical locations, such as hotels, restaurants or malls. When customers scan the code, they will be directed to start a chat with you.
* [Chat widget](https://respond.io/help/workspace-settings/growth-widgets): A Telegram Widget can be added to your website to direct customers to start a chat with you.

## Channel Capabilities

These are the capabilities of Telegram:

* [Supported File Types](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#supported%5Ffile%5Ftypes)
* [Message Status Availability](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#message%5Fstatus%5Favailability)
* [Messaging Window](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#messaging%5Fwindow)
* [Broadcasts](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#broadcasts)
* [Rate Limits](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#rate%5Flimits)

### Supported File Types

The file types supported by Telegram and the maximum file size for each type are as follows:

* Image (10 MB)
* Audio (20 MB)
* Video (20 MB)
* File (20 MB)

> Messages that are not supported will have a fallback display with Unsupported Message or Custom Payload text and Type (if available). 

For any unsupported file type or file that exceeds the maximum file size sent via Telegram, the file will automatically be turned into a URL link on the respond.io platform. For Custom Payload, you can click S\_how More\_ to view the JSON payload of this message.

Examples of unsupported messages for Telegram are:- Contact Cards- Pinned messages- Reactions- Polls

### Message Status Availability

The table outlines the availability of message statuses in Telegram.

| Message Status | Availability |
| -------------- | ------------ |
| Sent           | ✅            |
| Delivered      | ❌            |
| Read           | ❌            |
| Failed         | ❌            |

### Messaging Window

Telegram does not have a messaging window. Once Contacts have started a chat with you, you can send messages to your Contacts anytime without any limit.

> At any point, Contacts may block your Telegram bot. To understand further on the implications of this, refer to the FAQ [here](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram#why%5Fdo%5Fi%5Fget%5Fthis%5Fforbidden%5Fbot%5Fwas%5Fblocked%5Fby%5Fthe%5Fuser%5Ferror%5Fmessage).

### Broadcasts

You can send an unlimited number of broadcasts to your Contacts. Learn more on [how to send a broadcast here](https://respond.io/help/broadcasts/sending-a-simple-broadcast).

> At any point, Contacts may block your Telegram bot. To understand further on the implications of this, refer to the FAQ [here](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram#why%5Fdo%5Fi%5Fget%5Fthis%5Fforbidden%5Fbot%5Fwas%5Fblocked%5Fby%5Fthe%5Fuser%5Ferror%5Fmessage).

### Rate Limits

A rate limit is the number of API calls an app or user can make within a given time period defined by the channel. Learn more about the [rate limits for this channel here](https://core.telegram.org/bots/faq#:~:text=When%20sending%20messages%20inside%20a,messages%20per%20second%20or%20so).

## FAQ and Troubleshooting

### Can I start a conversation with a Telegram Contact?

Telegram bot rules say Contacts must message you first before you can message them back. Learn how to [encourage users to start a chat here](https://respond.io/help/telegram/telegram-overview#capturing%5Fconversation).

### Can I receive files via Telegram?

Yes, but the maximum file size for a Telegram bot to download is 20 MB. If the Contact sends a video bigger than 20 MB, the bot will not be able to download the file.

### Do you support Telegram Groups?

Telegram Groups are not supported yet, you can upvote our feature request [here](https://roadmap.respond.io/feature-request/p/telegram-support-group-chats).

### What should I do if I have lost my Telegram bot token?

If you have lost your Telegram bot token for some reason or if your existing token has been compromised, you can use the token command to generate a new one.

`/token`

### How do I create a QR Code for my Telegram account?

1. On the respond.io platform, click **Settings** \> **Growth Widget** \> **+** **Add Widget**.
2. Select **QR Code** \> click **Create Widget**.
3. Select **Telegram** as the QR code type > Select the connected Telegram Channel for which you want to create the QR code.
4. Click **Download** and select the size of the QR code you want to save.

Learn more about [Growth Widgets here](https://respond.io/help/workspace-settings/growth-widgets).

Alternatively, you can create a QR code through the **Telegram mobile app.**

1. Tap **Settings** in the menu of your Telegram app.
2. Tap the **QR code icon** on the top right corner.
3. Choose a background design that you like and tap the **Share QR Code** button to share it with your customers.

### How do I change my Telegram bot profile photo?

1. On your Telegram app, search for **BotFather**.
2. In the chat box, enter `/mybots` to bring up a list of your bots.
3. Select your bot > **Edit Bot** \> **Edit Botpic**.
4. Send your new profile photo.

### How do I change my Telegram bot name?

1. On your Telegram app, search for **BotFather**.
2. In the chat box, enter`/mybots` to bring up a list of your bots.
3. Select your bot > **Edit Bot** \> **Edit Name**.
4. Enter and send a new name for your bot.

### Why aren’t Quick Reply buttons showing up on Telegram Web App?

This is due to a recent change in the Telegram Web App’s interface. Quick Replies (also known as MCQ buttons) now appear as a **single button inside the message input box** instead of showing up as multiple visible options.

**To access the options**, the user must **click the button inside the text box**, which will then reveal the full list of Quick Replies.

This is not an issue with respond.io—just a change in how Telegram Web App presents Quick Replies.

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## 

Related articles 👩‍💻

* [Telegram Quick StartConnect a Telegram Bot to chat with customers over Telegram. ](/help/telegram/telegram)

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2025-12-05T03:58:45.099Z

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