Telegram rolls out iMessage-like reactions, spoiler to hide texts, message translation and other features

Telegram has been one of the best alternative messaging apps available, and it is constantly adding new features and options.

[{"selector":"#anim-dc8cfe73-6ac5-4d53-8e9e-1244cf68ee1f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.85924142809787%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fadeb3d6-6aa9-4cba-9c1f-0d2b8df100c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83ab0347-41b3-4991-a7ff-a6a9f9e265a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Telegram's most recent update, version 8.4, includes message reactions, spoiler tags, message translations, and other features.

[{"selector":"#anim-ddaa6c56-98e1-4cb3-92b1-cf9ec56c4db4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c419272-8700-441b-9c24-7da092a78988","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.33547%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3f092169-eac2-4e70-8816-0c1853fe4947 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Message reactions are common across platforms, with WhatsApp even rumoured to be working on implementing them in the future.

[{"selector":"#anim-f893e7da-61ff-4e40-8ec7-65a8742d15ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d6fc76c-03a8-4d04-88ed-e04ca0b7e3e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a2ee6bc4-1250-4d2a-a850-24dc61715947 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

They were supported by other platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Discord, and even Slack, but their absence from Telegram seemed strange.

[{"selector":"#anim-0bb03f35-c2ed-4d73-bccf-d003416ef454 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0d1e826-7ea6-4df3-83af-c0cc9a1f77ef","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67afa022-8eec-4061-ac02-5d5afbb79afe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.33547%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

They're now available, and you can even configure a quick reaction that can be triggered by double-tapping a message.

[{"selector":"#anim-2eb2f4ae-cd8f-40e2-b8de-0c6703474732","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25c86b4b-655b-47d1-83e2-86385a98d32e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de5d21ad-1a19-4b08-b796-5ada29537654 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

You can also turn off the translate feature for messages written in a language you know well.

[{"selector":"#anim-da16678b-0808-4edb-9bb8-fe8d1a7d6720 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1d15732-9654-4ce5-bfe8-a9e90cc0646f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f929ed6d-ec8a-4feb-b0fb-5d49c72a2224","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 123.94936%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

It works on all Telegram-enabled Android devices, but iPhones must have iOS 15 or later.

[{"selector":"#anim-2082a83a-87e9-4cb0-8364-f2e65d1b7332","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b17cd51-dbb2-4cda-a7c5-c4799660c263","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-116.29393%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5edd97b1-91d0-4703-ae18-39022a16cabe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]