Overview of Official and Third-Party Telegram Clients
Conclusion
Telegram offers various official and third-party clients. Users must exercise caution when choosing to ensure security and privacy protection. Official clients are open-source, while some third-party clients may pose security risks.
Telegram Official Clients
Telegram currently offers the following official clients:
- iOS: Telegram, Telegram X (Discontinued)
- Android: Telegram, Telegram X
- Windows: Telegram Desktop
- macOS: Telegram, Telegram Desktop/Lite
- Linux: Telegram Desktop
Telegram's official clients are open-source, meaning anyone can download their source code and compile or modify it, thereby creating new unofficial client applications. These unofficial clients might be maliciously modified, posing a risk of uploading user data to private servers. Therefore, extreme caution is required when choosing a third-party client.
Secure Third-Party Clients
Currently, the following third-party clients are widely recognised as secure and free of malicious code:
- iOS: Intent (AI features), Swiftgram (Reputable developer), iMe Messenger, Nicegram (Increased ads after acquisition)
- Android: Intent (AI features), Plus Messenger (Most downloaded)
- Windows: Unigram, Kotatogram
Special note: On the Android platform, there is an app called "Telegram中文版" (Telegram Chinese version). This is not an official client but a third-party application, and it includes paid "member" features. Exercise caution when using it. Additionally, when searching for "telegram中文版", the first few pages of results are often fake phishing websites. Please stay vigilant.
Client Synchronization and Language Support
Whether official or unofficial clients, both can connect to Telegram servers. Therefore, groups, channels, and message content are all synchronised in real-time. Telegram does not limit the number of clients and devices; users can view the same content across different clients and devices, with all messages fully synchronised.
Unofficial clients can also use Telegram's officially supported language packs, ensuring consistency in user experience.
More Information
For more details, please visit the Telegram Official Website.