Telegram is also rolling out a batch of updates as part of its January feature drop that includes "view-once" video and audio messages, pause recording while sending a video or an audio message, and new read-time controls.

The app introduced "view-once" photos and videos in one-on-one chats in September 2023. Now, the company is extending this feature to voice and video messages. Users can hit the mic icon to start recording and then pull up to tap on the "view-once" icon to allow the recipient to hear the voice message or look at the video message just once.

In addition to that, Telegram is introducing a feature of pause and resume in recording voice and video messages through the same menu.

Telegram is introducing the functionality wherein people are able to view when the recipient has read your message on one-on-one private chats. This function can be switched off from settings.

In addition, the company is rolling out some new features to paid users. Now, premium users can hide read time but can still see someone else's read time if they share it publicly.
Paid users can also select who can send them messages first. They can choose "Everyone" or "My Contacts and Premium User.

Last month, Telegram has rolled out new features that help channels discover and personalize better. Later in the month, it introduced improved calls with end-to-end encryption protection hogging less of your phone's battery. It updated its bot platform so that bots could react to messages, manage reactions, quotes, and links and reply to other chats or topics.