Telegram, the blue messaging app we all know, has distinct features that make it different from other social media applications. For one, it features channels that you can use to share your ideas and reach out to people. You can create content, post it on these channels, and broadcast it to many people across the globe. If you have something to say to a large audience, this functionality comes in quite handy. The great part is that a Telegram channel allows for an unlimited number of subscribers.
What Is a Telegram Channel?
Right now, you are probably asking, “What is the use of Telegram channels, and what are they?”
Telegram channels are tools that allow you to send messages and distribute content to your subscribers. Channels should not be confused with groups as they have quite a number of differences.
For starters, groups have a limit of 200,000 users and allow conversations between members. Channels are not designed for chatting purposes, and they allow for a larger number of people. A channel serves the purpose of sending messages to a great number of users who have either subscribed or been added by the admin of the channel.
Another difference is that Telegram channels do not support profile pictures and do not show the name of the person who sent a message. When content is posted in a channel, you only get to see the channel’s image and name and not the sender’s. In comparison, when a group participant posts a message, you can view the individual’s name and profile picture.
Only administrators can post messages and content in Telegram channels. Users can read posts and respond to polls, nothing more. As a channel admin, you can choose to post only text messages. However, you can also post other things, such as
- animated stickers,
- polls,
- auto-playing videos,
- documents, and
- much more.
One advantage of Telegram is that you do not have to worry about your videos catching your viewers off guard as they do not play immediately. Instead, they start playing with no sound, giving the subscribers time to decide if they want to view the content. If they decide to watch a video with sound, they can tap on it to open it full-screen.
Telegram also allows you to send large files of any type in their original format without compressing them. You can also send uncompressed full-resolution images. However, there is a limit of 2GB on what you are allowed to transfer. If you want to send files larger than this, you have to use other, more suitable options.
When you create a Telegram channel, you can choose to make it public or private. One significant difference between these two is that a public channel has a username while a private one does not. Anyone can search for and join public channels, but the only way to join a private channel is when the administrator adds you. As an admin, you can only add 200 subscribers from your Contacts list.
Telegram comes with an organizational feature that arranges images you send into albums. Therefore, if you send a lot of them at once, it will place them into a good-looking album. Your subscribers will then receive a single notification for all the picture files that you sent.
What Are the Other Useful Channel Features?
You already know that channels only allow administrators to post messages and content. However, Telegram allows you to create a discussion group for your channel where subscribers can engage with one another. This group will be linked directly to your channel and can be accessed through it.
- To create a channel discussion group, follow these steps:
- Launch your Telegram app and open your channel.
- Go to the top right corner of the window and tap on the channel name.
- From there, tap on the pencil icon.
- At this point, enter a name for your group and then add a group picture.
- Tap on the check mark located at the bottom right of the screen to confirm and save your changes.
That’s it! You have successfully created a group for your channel. If you want to access the group you just created, go to the Discussion option, tap on the group’s name, and then select the group’s name again. To add more members, open the group, go to the top of the window, and select the option there.
How to Find Telegram Channels
Now that you know what Telegram channels are all about, you probably want to know how to find those created by other users. This means that you also want to learn how to join Telegram channels.
This is how to search for Telegram channels to find the ones you might want to join:
- Open the search option at the top of your Telegram app.
- Now, enter the name of the topic you are interested in into the box. All available channels for that topic will be displayed along with the number of subscribers each of them has.
If you are not in much of a hurry, you can open and browse through each of them to see their latest posts. You can then decide which ones you want to join. If you are looking to get a more comprehensive list, you can take a look at this Telegram channel site. It contains a compilation of different channels arranged by topics. If you find a channel that you would like to be part of, simply select the Subscribe or Join button, and you are in!
If you change your mind at any time and decide that you want to leave a channel, do the following:
- Go to the top of the channel’s window and select the channel’s name.
- From there, tap on the dots located on the top right and select the Leave Channel option.
- You will receive a prompt asking you to confirm that you want to exit the channel. Choose Leave Channel, and you are out.
How to Send Large Files and Folders Online
As you already know, Telegram places a limit on the file size that you can send through the app. In essence, it is technically impossible to send more than 2 GB of data. While one of the main reasons people choose to use Telegram for transferring data is the security it offers, the data cap may prevent users from utilizing this app for their file transfer needs and make them look for alternative solutions.
Before using a third-party file-sharing service for transferring large portions of data at once, you need to ensure the tool takes security seriously. You also want an app that sends your videos and other files in their original, uncompressed version. If you perform a search, you will find that getting an application that offers all these features at an affordable price is difficult. That said, there is a tool that meets all your requirements and can give you a helping hand. It’s called FileWhopper.
FileWhopper is a cloud-based platform that allows you to send videos, audio files, images, and any other file types with no size limits. Yes, you read that right. With this app, you can send files and folders larger than 100 TB in size without restrictions. This means that you can send literally ANY file size through this tool.
Most services ask you to pay for a monthly or yearly subscription before you can use them. However, with FileWhopper, you only pay for what you send. There are no extra or hidden charges. You simply select the file or folder you want to send and pay a one-time fee to cover the transfer. You do not have to waste time trying to understand complicated payment options. On FileWhopper’s website, there is a price calculator that allows you to see what you have to pay for the particular file or folder you wish to send.
[fwa-calculator]
One of FileWhopper’s greatest features is its military-grade encryption capabilities. Any data sent through this platform is encrypted and protected with a secure password, preventing hackers from intercepting your information. It also supports simultaneous uploads and downloads, allowing the recipient to start downloading your file or folder while you are still uploading it. They don’t have to wait until the upload process is complete before they can start downloading the data. This feature is especially useful when you have a weak connection or are trying to beat a deadline.
Once you initiate an upload, FileWhopper gives you a link and password that you can share with your recipient(s). They must click the link and enter the password to start downloading the data. This prevents unauthorized parties from getting access to your content.
You do not need to compress what you want to send, no matter the format. FileWhopper sends your data in its original form and quality.
You don’t have to worry about the speed of the transfer process as this tool does not restrict upload or download speeds, unlike many other file-sharing apps. The only limitation is your network strength. By the way, suppose you have a weak internet connection or your battery goes off without warning. Luckily, FileWhopper has got your back: it automatically installs a tiny app on your device to speed up your transfer and ensure its progress is saved. This way, when your connection is restored, the transfer is resumed exactly from where it stopped. This keeps you from starting all over again. The FileWhopper app will auto-delete once the transfer is over.
Conclusion
Telegram channels are a great way to take part in things that matter a lot to you. There is a channel for every lifestyle and topic, and you can easily join the ones that catch your fancy. If at any time you want to leave, it is as easy as tapping Leave Channel. You can create a channel and share content with your subscribers. And if you want to transfer files exceeding the Telegram size limit, you can use FileWhopper.
We hope you found this comprehensive guide helpful in understanding all you need to know about Telegram channels. Do you have questions or contributions? You can leave us a comment below.