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Telegram Web & Desktop: How to use Telegram on PC and Mac

Like most other instant messaging apps, Telegram is not only available on Android or iOS platforms, but can also be used on your PC or Mac via a dedicated app known as Telegram Desktop, with the browser version, Telegram Web, being another alternative.

Like most other instant messaging apps, Telegram is not only available on Android or iOS platforms, but can also be used on your PC or Mac via a dedicated app known as Telegram Desktop, with the browser version, Telegram Web, being another alternative.

The only major difference between these two methods is that Telegram Desktop requires you to install an app while the web version works on just about any web browser. It should also be noted that Telegram Desktop and Telegram Web do not offer all the features found in the mobile version of the instant messaging app.

For your first time connection to Telegram Desktop, you will need your smartphone, but after that initial setup, you can use Telegram Desktop without having to remain connected on your smartphone.

Download and install the Telegram Desktop application for Windows, macOS or Linux from the official Telegram page.

Once the application is installed, open Telegram Desktop and click Start Messaging.

Wait for a QR code to appear on the screen. When it does, scan it using the Telegram application on your smartphone.

how to telegram desktop pc mac

Simply scan the QR code with your smartphone, or log in with your phone number / © NextPit

From your smartphone:

In the Telegram app on your smartphone, go to Settings.

Under Settings, go to Devices.

Tap Scan QR code and scan the code displayed on your PC or Mac screen.

Return to your PC and enter your password.

how to telegram desktop pc mac scan qr code

Here is how to scan the QR code on your PC or Mac screen / © NextPit

Do take note that for macOS, there are two Telegram applications. One is the base app for macOS while the other is Telegram Lite, which is the cross-platform macOS version. Both are legit apps, so do not worry about installing either one of them. They were both launched as unofficial apps by two different developers and vary in design and functionality.

“Telegram for macOS supports many platform-specific features, such as the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, gesture navigation, integration with the Mac’s Share menu and more. It has every feature from the iOS version of the app including Secret Chats.,” Telegram explains in its official FAQ.

Telegram Lite is an app that has been specially optimized for faster business use and managing large communities. It offers a three-column interface, is perfect for multitasking and offers quick access to shared media, files, and links in your chats. This app can also be used to export your Telegram data and chats.

How do I use Telegram Web on a PC or Mac?

The web version of Telegram has evolved quite a bit lately and now comes in 2 versions since April 2021, Telegram WebZ and Telegram WebK. If you were to check out the url in your browser, you can see the corresponding letter either juxtaposed to the keyword “web” or at the end of the url “/k” or “/z”.

how to telegram webk vs webk url

Telegram Web is now available in 2 versions / © NextPit

Telegram WebZ and Telegram WebK, what are they?

Despite its advantages, the web version of Telegram is quite limited compared to the Desktop version. Selected features such as group voice and audio calls are lacking, while its interface was also visually outdated.

Telegram WebZ and WebK are more modern versions that offer more features. They were created following a contest launched by Telegram to develop an optimized web version of the messaging application. The two winning versions of this contest are currently in alpha (which means a very early version of a working program).

Telegram WebK and WebZ both now support animations, stickers, folders, search, and dark mode. With the exception of small changes in the UI, and the odd difference in the way messages are displayed, the overall experience is very similar between the two versions.

Telegram WebK is the basic version of Telegram Web, and this is the version you get when accessing web.telegram.org from your browser.Telegram. As for WebZ, this is is another web version of Telegram that you can access directly via https://webz.telegram.org or via the menu of the basic version of Telegram Web.

how to telegram webk vs webk

The Telegram WebK interface (left) and the Telegram WebZ interface (right) / © NextPit

Telegram Web or Telegram Desktop: What is the difference?

Telegram Desktop and Telegram Web both have a big advantage over the desktop versions of other messaging apps because they don’t require you to be logged in on your smartphone in order to use them.

However, there are still some features that remain missing compared to Telegram’s mobile app. For example, it is still impossible to create a secret chat on Telegram Desktop or Web. What does this mean? Your chats will not have end-to-end encryption when you’re chatting with them over your computer.

Also read: How do I find and join a Telegram group?

Moreover, your existing secret chats cannot be exported to the Web or Desktop versions since they are not stored in the Telegram cloud but only locally on your smartphone

Telegram Web is even more limited than the Desktop version as it does not offer voice or video calls, multi-accounting or voice messages. Telegram WebK and WebK also do not support saving GIFs, location sharing, auto-dele files, and several other options for managing groups and channels.

Source: https://www.nextpit.com/telegram-web-desktop-how-to-use-telegram-on-pc-and-mac

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