If you use Telegram to send messages, you likely use the mobile app. Whether downloading photos your friend sent you or backing up your chats, you’ll want to export your data. You can’t export your data using the mobile app. Telegram has data export built into its platform, even if you don’t haveTelegram Premium, but only if you use the desktop application. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. You could even use one ofour favorite Chromebooks.
If you aren’t using the desktop app, you probably won’t use it again after retrieving your data. If you use Windows, you may choose between the installed version and the portable version. After that, it’s an easy task, and we run you through the steps.
Getting the desktop Telegram app
You candownload Telegram Desktopfrom the Telegram website. You’re greeted by a simple welcome screen. Click the button that saysStart Messaging. You’ll then log in to your account using the QR code or your phone number. The QR code is the quickest way if you follow the instructions on the screen. Go toSettings>Devices>Link Desktop Deviceon your phone or tablet and point your camera at the QR code on your computer screen.
To save time, you can log in with your phone number and have a code sent to your mobile device, but this method isn’t as reliable. There’s another option under the area where you enter the code, but clickingSend code via SMSdoesn’t work consistently. Stick to the QR code, and you’ll be logged in immediately.
How to set up and use the Telegram web app on your Mac or PC
Yep, you can access Telegram from a web browser as well
Exporting all of your Telegram data
After you’ve logged in, you’ll see a screen with all of your Groups, Channels, and Chats.
1.Click thethree horizontal barsin the upper-left corner to access the sidebar menu.
2.ClickSettings.
3.ClickAdvancedin the settings menu.
4.Scroll down, and at the bottom of the advanced settings, clickExport Telegram Data.
5.You’ll see a menu with all your export options. Check the boxes for the data you want to export.
TheExport Your Datamenu has several options, and most are self-explanatory. When you get toMedia export settings, pay attention to theslide barfor the size limit because it defaults to 8MB. The maximum size you may choose is 4GB, which can take care of a lot of photos, videos, and other media data. If you have over 4GB of data, export some of your chats individually.
At the bottom of the data export menu, choose the download location on your computer. There are radio buttons for file format, where you can choose betweenHuman-readable HTMLandMachine-readable JSONoptions. If you don’t know what you’ll use your newly exported JSON data for, you don’t need that. Most users will choose the HTML option, which makes it easier to access your downloaded information later.
After selecting your options, clickExport. A screen tells you if it was successful, how many files were exported, and the size of the download. Next, clickShow my datatoopen the location on your computer where you saved your export.
Exporting your Telegram chats individually
If you only need the data from one or a few chats, export them individually. You might also want to download chats individually if your data exceeds the 4GB export limit. However, you can’t export an entire group or channel individually.
To export a single chat, select it in the sidebar and click thethree dotsin the upper-right corner. ChooseExport chat historyfrom the drop-down menu to open a screen with yourChat export settings. You can download photos, videos, voice messages, video messages, stickers, GIFs, and files along with your messages.
You’ll see theslide barfor your download size limit, and you have an option to select your format. It just looks different. Instead of radio buttons, click the wordHTMLand choose JSON format, or download both at the same time. Set the location where you want to save your exported data and select a timerange if you want only a section of your chat history.
How to delete your Telegram account
When you don’t want to be on Telegram any longer, remove your account
Accessing and navigating your exported Telegram data
At first, the folders might be a little confusing. If you export Human-readable HTML format, the only folders you might want to open are the ones with your media. Instead, double-click to open theexport_results.htmlfile. It opens your default web browser, and you’ll get an easy-to-navigate screen with all your information. You don’t need an internet connection to look at your data. Everything is downloaded locally into your export folder, and the web browser provides an easy user interface.
Export your Telegram data with ease
The process of exporting your data from Telegram is straightforward. The only catch is that you’re able to only export your data with the Telegram desktop application. Now that you’ve backed up your Telegram data and stored it in a safe place, follow our tips tokeep your Telegram chats safeand private.
