The short answer
- 1Telegram Desktop has Update automatically on from the start, so there is usually nothing to do.
- 2To check, use Settings › Advanced › Check for updates; when New version is ready, click Restart Now.
- 3Phones update through the Google Play Store or the App Store.
In this article
Telegram Desktop updates itself by default
Telegram Desktop from the official site has Update automatically switched on from the start. When a new version comes out, it downloads it in the background and switches to it the next time the app restarts, so most of the time there is nothing for you to do.
You can still end up on an old version if Telegram has been running for days without a restart, or if automatic updates were turned off. The steps below show how to check.
Check the version and update on a PC
After you sign in, the controls are in Advanced, in the section called Version and updates. Before you sign in, the same switch is in Settings at the top right of the login screen.
- Main menu (☰)
- Settings
- Advanced
- Check for updates
On Android, update from the Google Play Store. See "Phones update through the app store" below.
On iPhone and iPad, update from the App Store. See "Phones update through the app store" below.
After you click Check for updates, the small line under Update automatically changes to show what is happening.
| What it says | What it means |
|---|---|
| Checking for updates... | Telegram is looking for a new version. Wait a moment. |
| Downloading update … | The new version is downloading, with its progress. Leave the app open. |
| New version is ready | The download is complete. Click Restart Now (before you sign in, Update Telegram) to switch to it. |
| Latest version is installed | You are up to date. Nothing to do. |
| Update check failed :( | The check did not work. See when a Telegram update fails or gets stuck. |
When Update Telegram appears below the chat list or in the main menu, a new version is likewise waiting; click it and the app restarts on the new version. Before you sign in, an Update button appears at the top right of the login screen, next to Settings.
Swipe to see more ›
- UPDATE - restarts Telegram on the new version
- Update automatically - on by default; the line under it shows the status
- Install beta versions - leave it off on an everyday computer
- Update Telegram - appears when a new version is ready
Phones update through the app store
- Android: open the Google Play Store, find Telegram and tap Update. If you installed the official APK instead of the Play Store version, see installing the Telegram APK on Android.
- iPhone and iPad: open the App Store, find Telegram and tap Update.
On a Mac, an app from the Mac App Store updates through the Mac App Store; the two official Telegram apps for Mac explains which one you have. The Microsoft Store version on Windows is also updated by its store (Store version or official installer).
Why every device should be up to date
Telegram adds features often. A message that uses a new feature may not display properly in an old version, which shows an Update button in its place. And if the computer is current but the phone is not, the same account shows different menus on each device. The menu paths on this site follow the current versions.
Common mistakes with updates
| What you see | Why | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| A menu from a guide is missing on your screen | You are on an older version | Open Settings › Advanced and click Check for updates. |
| New version is ready stays there for days | The update was downloaded but the app was never restarted | Click Restart Now. |
| You searched for a newer installer and downloaded one | Automatic updates would have done it, and the file came from another site | Delete that file. If you ever need the installer again, get it only from the official site. |
FAQ
Does updating delete my chats?
No. An update replaces the program only; your chats and your login stay as they are.
Can I turn off automatic updates?
You can, but it is not recommended: you would get security fixes and new features later.
Do I need to download the installer again to update?
Usually not. Check for updates is enough. If you ever do download it again, use only the official site.
Sources
At a glance
- 1Automatic by default
New versions download in the background and apply on restart.
- 2Check for updates
Settings › Advanced › Version and updates. Restart Now when it is ready.
- 3Phones use their store
Google Play Store on Android, the App Store on iPhone and iPad.
Updated
