15 Reasons Why People Are Leaving WhatsApp for Telegram

Ever since WhatsApp announced its controversial 2021 privacy policy, users have been scrambling for a safer alternative that is less aligned with Facebook. And they seemed to have found it. Telegram boasts features that not only give you privacy but also offer unique tools that WhatsApp lacks. And with over 500 million users and counting, it might just become WhatsApp's key competitor. This article is going to discuss the reasons why people are leaving WhatsApp for Telegram...and why you should consider it too.

WhatsApp's Privacy Policy Controversy and Concerns About Facebook

The WhatsApp 2021 privacy policy announcement clarified how the messaging app may share certain data with Facebook—and users weren't happy about it. The app claims that personal conversations remain protected with end-to-end encryption. However, given Facebook's history with privacy flaws, data collection, and leaks, people weren't exactly convinced. Who's to say there won't be another Cambridge Analytica scandal?

WhatsApp's Security and Privacy Policy notes that it will share your account registration information (phone number), transaction data, mobile device information, IP address, and service-related information with Facebook if you use WhatsApp to communicate with businesses. This has caused a stir among WhatsApp users and incentivized them to consider other options, one being Telegram. Let's have a look at why some users of the features that are leading WhatsApp users to choose Telegram as their new messaging app instead...

1. Secret Chats

Secret chats in Telegram have a number of privacy-centric features. They have an added layer of security with end-to-end encryption. They also include other privacy measures, such as sending an automated notification in the chat whenever someone takes a screenshot and allowing you to enable self-destructing messages.

2. Self-Destructing Messages

In Telegram, you can set a timer for your sent messages to automatically self-destruct in secret chats. The waiting period options range from a few seconds to a week, and the message will be cleared from both the sender and recipient's device.

3. The Ability to Hide Your Number

You don't need to give out your number in order to have chats on Telegram. The username feature lets you create an anonymous username that you can chat with instead, similar to sending DMs from a social media account. And your number also won't necessarily be revealed in group chats. Telegram gives you the option to control who sees your number.
From the settings, you can either set it to Everybody, My Contacts, Nobody, or let only specific users see it. From these same settings, you can also prevent strangers from finding you by your number on the app. This differs significantly from WhatsApp, where your number is available to other chat group members.

4. Telegram File Transfer Sizes

WhatsApp allows a maximum file size of 16MB for all media (photos, videos, and voice notes). However, Telegram allows a whopping 2GB—that's the size of some movie files! Not to mention, you can send any type of file since Telegram supports all formats. This is not the case for WhatsApp, where many users dread the "This file format is not supported" popup.

5. Unlimited Storage

Telegram has unlimited server storage. So whenever you're in a regular chat that stores the information on their servers, there's no limit as to how many texts, media files, and documents you can send and receive. This means that you don't have to worry about the app setting a limit or quota to your account for files sent.

6. Automatic Cloud Saving

Since Telegram's servers don't have a storage limit, you don't need to worry about constantly backing up or restoring your chats. All of your data (that's not in a secret chat) will automatically be saved on their cloud. You can log in and out as many times as you want from as many devices as you want without losing any data. You also don't need to rely on backups to third-party services.

7. Multi-Platform Support

Telegram can be used on multiple platforms as it's available on iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, Linux OS, and through its site on a browser. This gives you quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to choosing which device to use the app on.

8. The Ability to Have Multiple Sessions

You can log into the same account from multiple devices at the same time. Your sessions will be updated across all devices as it instantly synchronizes. So if you send and receive messages on your iPhone while also being logged in on your Mac, the chats on your Mac will reflect that on your iPhone in real-time. Even browsers will remember your session.

8. Massive Group Chats

WhatsApp allows a maximum of 256 participants in a group chat, whereas Telegram allows a maximum of 200,000 members! This is useful if you want to join communities and not only smaller groups.

9. Channels

Telegram has a channel feature as well. Channels are similar to group chats with a few key differences: the number of participants is unlimited, and the creator of the channel can control who is allowed to post in the channel. Those who aren't allowed to post can only view the posts.

10. Saving Messages on Telegram

If there's a particular message you want to revisit, there's no need to locate it in the chats. Telegram lets you save messages, which you can access via Saved Messages in the settings. The feature acts as a useful pinning or bookmarking feature—which is especially useful when you want to remember something for later, such as an address or reminder a contact has sent you.

11. Marked Drafts

Just like WhatsApp, you can draft a message in the message bar, exit the chat, and the text will be there when you return. The only difference is, Telegram reminds you which chats you have unsent drafts in by marking them with "Draft" from the Chats window. Trust us, this is very useful for forgetful texters.

12. Telegram Message Scheduling

If you come up with a great response to something but don't want to send it right away, or if you want to send a nightly check-up text to a loved one, you can schedule the message on Telegram. This feature is slightly hidden though: type your message, hold down on the blue Send icon, select Schedule Message from the popup, and set the time and date.

13. Appearance Customization

Telegram boasts a wider range of built-in appearance customizations than WhatsApp. There are seemingly endless chat backgrounds that can be further customized, even with ombre colors. The chat bubbles and accents can also be personalized with solid or ombre colors, plus you can change the shape of the message corners and text size. You can even choose different app icon styles that will be viewed from the home screen.

14. Telegram Is Open-Source

Telegram is open-source, meaning anyone can access the source code and security researchers can evaluate the encryption of the app. Open-source apps also mean independent developers can fix bugs and improve the original code. These projects can get independent input from anyone, anywhere, and are less likely to be restricted by a company's agenda. Ultimately, this results in a more user-friendly and open project.

15. Frequent Updates

Finally, another reason people are moving from WhatsApp to Telegram is the dynamic nature of the Telegram app. The team is always expanding features and rolling out new functionality. While Telegram is already filled to the brim with more features than most messaging apps, it still manages to surprise users every few weeks or months with additional updates. It Might Be Time to Leave WhatsApp for Telegram WhatsApp's new privacy policy has made a lot of users feel uncertain. If you're one of them, consider the benefits of using Telegram that we've listed here. It certainly has a lot to offer in terms of privacy and the overall architecture and additional features are making people reconsider their ties to WhatsApp.