Telegram Browser, Mini App Store, Gifting Stars and More
Today's update brings a new in-app browser that supports multiple tabs and makes Web3 available to almost a billion users, a Mini App Store, a new kind of mini apps, the ability to gift Stars to friends — and much more.
Telegram Browser
Pages you open with the in-app browser can now be collapsed and reopened from the bottom bar, allowing you to freely move between your messages and websites, instant view articles, and mini apps.
Telegram's browser supports decentralized websites hosted on TON — in all mobile and native desktop apps. This makes Web3 immediately available to our almost one billion monthly users.
Just in case you wanted to introduce crypto to the world. 
Now, when you receive a notification while reading an article, viewing a web page, or playing a game, you can check your messages — and go back without losing your progress. You can also add bookmarks to return to a page later.
Developers can learn more about decentralized TON Sites by visiting ton.org — or opening getting-started.ton in the latest version of Telegram.
Mini App Store
More than 500 million out of Telegram's 950 million users interact with mini apps every month.
We've added a new 'Apps' tab in Search which shows a list of apps you use and a list of popular mini apps. Now you can quickly access all your games and services — or find something new.
Just in case your world is bigger than cats and hamsters.
Developers can now upload video demos and screenshots for their mini app previews to let users know what to expect.
Just in case you want to let the cat out of the bag.
Mini apps that utilize Telegram Stars now have a chance to be shown in the 'Popular Apps' section. Developers can learn more about mini apps on this page.
Sharing from Mini Apps to Stories
Mini apps can now generate custom story content — like AI-generated videos, achievements, or snapshots of leaderboards — for users to share as a Telegram Story right from the mini app. This enables new kinds of apps — and helps existing ones spread among their users' contacts.
Just in case your cats have a story to share.
Developers can go here for more details about adding this feature to their mini apps.
Gifting Stars to Friends
Telegram Stars let you buy digital goods in mini apps or access paid content in channels. With this update, you can buy stars as a gift for your contacts.
Just in case your friends already have Premium.
To gift stars, go to Settings > My Stars (on iOS, you will currently see this menu only if you have previously purchased stars for yourself).
Users celebrating their birthday will appear at the top of the list in a special section. Gifted stars will show up in the chat as a beautiful animated gift box.
Flash when Recording Video Messages
Video messages now let you use the front flash to brighten your screen with extra light when recording in the dark.
Just in case you need a Light in Dark Places, When All Other Lights Go Out.
Tap the microphone icon in the message bar to switch to video recording. Then press and hold the camera icon to record your video message. Swipe up to keep recording and tap the flash icon in the bottom left corner.
Weather Widget in Stories
Users can now share the weather in their stories by adding an animated widget to everything from sunny selfies to ski slopes.
Just in case you need to drop it like it's hot.
The widget automatically switches between Celsius or Fahrenheit depending on the settings on the viewer’s device, so you won’t ever have to bother with choosing between C and F. On cloudless nights, the widget will show the moon phase.
You can also add music, links or a location to your story from the 'Stickers' section.
Story Covers
When posting a video story to your profile, you can choose which frame will be used as the cover photo.
Just in case you judge stories by their covers.
Browser and Mini App Tabs on MacOS
Before you go, check out how gorgeous the new browser on Telegram for macOS is. Its new tabs support everything: games, mini apps, instant view pages and even Web3 ton-sites.
Just in case you're into juggling at your desk.
That's it for July. We'll be looking for the upcoming August update among our open tabs.
July 31, 2024,
The Telegram Team