Chat app Telegram introduces calling feature in latest update

It is now possible to call each other with the Telegram chat app. In this article you can read how the Telegram calling function works.

Telegram calling function

Telegram has released a free update that allows users to call each other. For this, both the caller and the recipient must have updated their app. The chat app will roll out the feature in Western Europe first, the rest of the world will follow. This means that we can already use it in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Calling with Telegram is simple. You open a chat within the app and tap the recipient’s name. In the menu that expands you will now see the ‘Call’ button. If you tap that and the other answers, the connection will be made. You then call via a data connection. When you hang up, you can indicate with a star rating how good or bad the connection was, which Telegram will then work with.

Chat app Telegram introduces calling feature in latest update

Secure connection

The Telegram calling function is completely encrypted according to the makers. You know that the connection is completely secure if the four emoji in the top right of the screen match those of the recipient. Telegram also promises the clearest possible line by using a peer-to-peer connection. If P2P cannot be set up, the app will grab the nearest server to connect. Telegram also uses these servers for chats.

Telegram uses artificial intelligence to optimize the calling function over time. The neural network learns from your feedback and views technical information from your conversation, such as speeds and data processing. The makers insist that they cannot listen to conversations.

In the Telegram settings you determine who can call you (via ‘Settings> Privacy and security> Voice calls’. By default the tick is next to ‘Everyone’, but we recommend setting this to ‘My contacts’, so that strangers do not see you. You can then also select certain contacts who should never call you.

Video quality

Apart from the Telegram calling feature, the chat app has also added a feature to share videos. Before you send one, you can determine the quality. This not only controls how the video looks, but also how large it is in MBs. After setting it once, the app will remember this choice as the default size for the next time.

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