---
title: "Telegram marks its 13th anniversary with welcome messages, in-chat buttons, and file embedding in text"
description: "To mark its 13th anniversary, Telegram unveiled a major update: welcome messages for new participants, interactive buttons within messages, bot mini-apps, and file embedding directly in text."
date: 2026-08-26T15:22:01.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/telegram-13th-anniversary-update
tags: [telegram, messaging, bot-platform, product-update]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Telegram marks its 13th anniversary with welcome messages, in-chat buttons, and file embedding in text

![Stylized 3D Telegram logo made of transparent blue glass on a black background — to mark its 13th anniversary, the messenger added welcome messages, chat buttons and inline file embedding](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/26/telegram-13-let-update/telegram-13-let-update-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Group and channel administrators have received private welcome messages visible only to new participants.
- The bot platform has been expanded: mini-apps and interactive buttons now work within a single message.
- The text editor allows embedding documents, archives, and audio files directly in the text.
- Custom comments and captions can now be added to collectible gifts purchased with Telegram Stars.

To celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Telegram messenger, the developers released one of the most significant updates in the platform's entire history. The package of new features covers several key scenarios at once: automation of administrator workflows, interactivity of individual messages, bot platform capabilities, and the flexibility of the text editor. According to sources, the update is a logical continuation of Telegram's strategy of transforming from a classic messenger into a multifunctional environment with mini-applications and built-in services.

### Welcome messages for new participants

Administrators of groups and channels have received a tool for creating private congratulatory messages that are visible only to users who have just joined the chat. The developers emphasize that this mechanism helps avoid "cluttering" the general feed: the welcome message is not duplicated for all members and does not overload the feed. Formatting is flexible — a welcome message can include multiple messages, multimedia, tables, and embedded files with extended markup. Enabling the feature is straightforward: in the profile settings of the group or channel, via the "Edit" → "Welcome" option.

### Buttons and mini-apps within a single message

The bot platform has been expanded: it is now possible to create full-fledged mini-applications and interactive scenarios integrated directly into a single message. Placing multiple buttons right under the text, combined with disappearing messages, opens up new scenarios — from polls and navigation to gaming mechanics and purchases. This effectively pushes Telegram beyond the boundaries of classic chats, turning a message into a self-contained interactive container.

### File embedding in text and captions for gifts

The text editor with extended markup now allows you to add documents, archives, and audio files directly inside a sentence, not just as attachments. A separate item in the update is collectible gifts via Telegram Stars: when purchasing rare items, users can now add their own comments and captions in their profiles through the "Collectibles" filter, making the gift more personalized.

### The significance of the update

The combination of new features points to Telegram's course on deepening automation and interactivity without sacrificing the simplicity of the basic messenger. For administrators, this is a tool for retaining and onboarding new participants; for developers, an expanded platform for scenarios; and for regular users, more flexible formatting of messages and gifts. All of the features listed have been confirmed by several independent sources covering the release of August 26, 2026.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Telegram goes beyond chats: games, purchases, and buttons now right in messages](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/telegram-vihodit-mezhi-chativ-igri-pokupki-1787753376.html) - Подтверждает интерактивные кнопки, мини-приложения и сценарии внутри сообщений.
- [Telegram unveils update: welcome messages, in-message buttons, and gift captions](https://kod.ru/telegram-welcome-messages-buttons) - Подтверждает приветственные сообщения, кнопки и подписи к коллекционным подаркам.
- [Telegram expands message functionality: games, buttons, and purchases](https://novosti.ua/tech/telegram-dobavil-igry-pokupki-i-knopki-pryamo-v-soobshcheniya) - Подтверждает расширение функциональности сообщений, включая игры и кнопки.
- [Welcome messages and other features appear in Telegram](https://www.spot.uz/ru/2026/08/26/tg-welcoming/) - Подтверждает появление приветственных сообщений и сопутствующих функций, дата 26.08.2026.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Who can see welcome messages in Telegram groups and channels?
**A:** Welcome messages are visible only to users who have just joined the chat. This allows administrators to avoid cluttering the general feed with duplicated congratulations.

### Q: How do I enable a welcome message in a group or channel?
**A:** The feature is enabled in the profile settings of the group or channel via the "Edit" → "Welcome" option.

### Q: Can I add files directly into the text of a message in Telegram?
**A:** Yes, the updated text editor with extended markup allows embedding documents, archives, and audio files directly inside a sentence, not just as attachments.