- Telegram lets you easily save photos and videos from your mobile phone or PC, with features built into its official apps.
- The desktop version offers an advanced export tool for downloading files in batches from specific chats.
- There are alternative methods such as screen recordings or online platforms to obtain Telegram videos, although they have limitations.
- Telegram organizes downloaded files by type and date, making it easier to manage them later on your device.
Telegram has become one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world, thanks to its versatility, privacy, and multiple features. Among its advantages is the ability to share multimedia content such as photos and videos without quality or size restrictions, something that sets it apart from other messaging platforms. Whether you receive videos in groups, images in private chats, or follow channels with multimedia content, it's very common to want to keep that material on your device. Fortunately, save images and videos from Telegram It's very simple, both on mobile and PC. In this article, we explain all the available methods, including the most advanced ones for demanding users.
Save images and videos from the Telegram app on your mobile
The most direct and common way to store videos or photos is on your phone itself, as the Telegram app is optimized for managing multimedia content. If you've received a video or image you'd like to save, the app offers two very simple options:
- Press and hold the video or image that you want to save. When you do this, several options will appear at the top or bottom of the screen. Choose the one that says 'Save to gallery' o 'Save video'.
- You can also access all of a group or channel's media content from its profile. Tap the channel or group name at the top and scroll down to find the tab. 'Half'There you can see all the photos and videos shared in that chat, open them, and select the save option.
Telegram automatically saves downloaded files in the device's downloads folder, where you can access them without having to open the app.
Using the 'Saved Messages' option
An interesting feature within Telegram is 'Saved Messages', which allows you to save an entire post, with all its content, in a sort of private chat with yourself. It's especially useful if you don't want to lose sight of a specific video or photo amidst a sea of messages.
- Go to the message you want to keep.
- Press and hold and tap the share icon.
- Select option 'Saved Messages'.
This way, you can review that content at any time, even if the original chat becomes difficult to trace. If that person deletes the content, you'll no longer have it, but in the meantime, you'll have it accessible from the Telegram side menu or from Settings > Saved Messages if you haven't used it before.
Save videos to Telegram Web or Telegram Desktop
If you use Telegram on your computer, you can also easily save photos and videos. Depending on whether you're using Telegram Web (from a browser) or Telegram Desktop (an installed app), the process varies slightly.
Quick right-click method
When you're in a chat or group on Telegram Web or the desktop app:
- Locate the video or image you want to download.
- Right click on the file.
- Choose 'Save as' and choose the destination folder on your PC.
This method is ideal if you only need to save files occasionally. But if you're looking to download all the multimedia content of a chat, there is a more advanced tool designed for that.
Export all videos and images from a chat
Telegram Desktop has a powerful feature: data export. This allows you to obtain a complete copy of all content—photos, videos, documents, stickers, messages, contacts—from a specific chat. It's ideal for users who want to save large volumes of files without having to do it one by one.
Steps to export data in Telegram Desktop
- Download the official app Telegram Desktop from your website (the web version of the browser does not work).
- Log in by scanning the QR code or entering your phone number.
- Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left.
- Go to 'Settings' and then to 'Advanced'.
- Scroll to the end and tap 'Export data from Telegram'.
Now you can choose exactly what you want to download: private chats, group chats, channels, media, contacts, stories, bots, voice files, etc. And most importantly, You can select the file type (HTML or JSON) and the maximum size of media files (up to 2 GB).
For security reasons, Telegram will send a notification to your devices confirming that you have requested the export. After 24 hours, you can start the download. from the same option in Settings. Make sure you're familiar with file storage management, which will help you keep everything organized.
A folder with well-organized subdirectories will be generated: gallery, videos, documents, stickers, among others. Everything will be organized and accessible without having to use Telegram.
Additional tips after export
It's important to note that when exporting images, Telegram generates duplicates: an original version and a thumbnail. This can take up unnecessary space. Fortunately, there's a trick:
- Thumbnails usually contain the word 'thumb' in the file name. You can use your file explorer's search bar to easily delete them.
This way you'll save space and keep only the original images. If you need more information about apps to help you manage your photos, I recommend reading about the anti-theft applications to protect your mobile.
Use external tools to download videos
In cases where the built-in save option doesn't work (for example, if you are using an outdated version or Telegram Web), there is the possibility of using third-party online tools. Platforms like SaveFrom, Y2mate or Downloadgram allow you to download videos by pasting the URL.
However, this method has several limitations:
- First you need get a public URL of the video, which is not always possible if the content is in a private chat.
- These are unofficial tools, so there is some risk to your privacy.
- Some may contain intrusive advertising or redirect you to untrustworthy sites.
It may be useful as a one-time resource, but it's not the most secure or stable way to save videos on Telegram.
Capture videos using screen recording
A creative alternative that can save you if nothing else works is the screen recordingBoth modern mobile phones and computers usually integrate this function as standard.
You just have to do the following:
- Open Telegram and play the video you want to keep.
- Activate screen recording from the quick access bar (on mobile) or from an app like OBS Studio (on computers).
- End recording when the video ends and save it.
This method is effective for short videos that can't be downloaded directly, but you should be aware that quality depends on the device and won't always be the same as the original file.
Saving images and videos on Telegram is easier than it seems if you're familiar with all the tools the app offers in its different versions. From simple methods on mobile to professional options like exporting data on a PC, there are solutions for all levels and needs. Plus, you can always turn to external or creative alternatives like online tools or screen recording.
Telegram is positioned as one of the most comprehensive platforms for managing and storing multimedia, both individually and in large volumes. Share this information so other users know how to save images and videos on Telegram.