Telegram Messenger usually receives one big update every month, bringing new features and improvements to its users at a steady pace. The first update of 2026 (it was supposed to be the final release of 2025) for the popular messenger is now available for download, and while it is not the biggest release, it will please—or disappoint, depending on how you look at it—iPhone users.
There are two changes in the January 2026 update for Telegram: visuals and AI. Starting with visuals, the messenger went full Liquid Glass on iOS/iPadOS 26, and received a lot of various glass-looking elements, fancy animations, and more. Telegram has already had some Liquid Glass elements before the latest update, and now, there are even more. The new design takes some time to get used to, but it makes the messenger look more at home on iOS 26.
The final part of the update is AI, and even such privacy-focused services like Telegram are not immune to it. With the latest feature update, Telegram can generate summaries of long posts in channels. AI-powered summaries also work in Instant View. Telegram says that the feature is powered by Cocoon, "a decentralized network designed to maximize privacy," and each summary request is encrypted to protect user data.
2025 has been rich in Telegram updates, with the messenger receiving 13 big updates and 75 new features. The Liquid Glass update was supposed to be the 14th update, but it arrived later because, as Telegram puts it, "Apple reviewers take holidays too seriously." Some of the latest additions include passkey support, live stories, music in profiles, checklists, gift auctions, and more. You can read more about the latest Telegram update in a post on the official website here.
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