Telegram is updated with new drawing tools, privacy features and more

Telegram released its last update of the year this Friday (30). Available to all users, version 9.3 of the messaging app brings many new features and privacy tweaks for group members and admins.

To make its drawing editor more complete, Telegram will dynamically change the brush size based on the speed at which the user slides the finger. This function is similar to the Instagram Stories brush, which allows for smoother and more natural strokes.

Complementing the editing possibilities, the messenger is getting a blur tool that will allow you to hide certain areas of a photo, as well as an “eyedropper” tool to select a color tone found in the image itself.

To save time, Telegram will offer predefined geometric shapes that can be inserted into photos and videos. Pictures include rectangles, circles, directional arrows, stars and message balloons.

Users will also be able to change the size, font and background of texts when uploading photos or videos. Previously exclusive to Telegram Premium subscribers, the entire public will now have the insertion of personalized animated emojis in the images.

In addition to special text formatting to hide specified words or phrases, Telegram will now allow users to hide photos and videos sent to an individual or group chat. The material will be hidden behind a layer that blurs the image and adds an animated glitter effect to indicate that this is a “spoiler”.

With the new update, it’s possible to add separate automatic removal settings for cached media and set exceptions for specific chats. This will allow users to limit the amount of cached photos, videos, and other files they receive from individual conversations, groups, and channels.

Telegram adds pie charts that help you visualize the types of files that are taking up space on your device’s local storage.

Users will be able to choose new profile pictures for their contacts. They will not be able to see the new selected image, but it will be possible to “suggest” them to use the photo through the “Suggest photo to…” button after touching “Edit” in the contact’s profile.

Another novelty in this field is the possibility to select an image that will be displayed to people who cannot see your real profile picture. When setting the visibility to “Contacts” or “Nobody”, a new option titled “Set Public Photo” will appear.

Admins of groups that have more than 100 members will be able to hide the list of participants, giving inactive members more privacy. “If people don’t send messages in the group, only admins will know they’re there,” explains Telegram.

Telegram is getting new animated effects for jumping to a distant reply, clicking on links, and other scenarios. This change is exclusive to the Android version.

There are 10 new custom animated emoji packs exclusive to Premium subscribers — which has reached the incredible mark of one million customers in just 5 months. Figures can be found on the dashboard. stickersinside the emojis tab.

Also, there are seven new interactive emojis that fill the cell phone screen with animations when sent in a private chat. The figures that received the treatment are ?, ?, ☃️, ?, ?, ? and ?. When sending, just tap on the emoji and watch the magic happen. They will also be available as a reaction to messages.

The update is available to Android and iOS users through their respective app stores: Play Store and App Store.