Telegram has rolled out a fully native Apple Watch app, allowing users to access messages, GIFs, video playback, and more right from their wrist. This comes more than ten years after the company initially attempted to create an Apple Watch app but later abandoned the project.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov shared the announcement on X, confirming that the update is now being implemented. Unlike a mere companion app that mirrors your phone’s notifications, this is a complete rebuild that operates independently on the watch.
What’s Actually in the App
The new Telegram app for Apple Watch lets you read and respond to messages, view GIFs and videos, and navigate your chats — all on the watch’s small screen. This is a big improvement over most messaging apps on watchOS, which usually only allow you to glance at notifications and send quick replies using dictation or emojis.
A “native” app means it’s designed specifically for the device’s operating system, rather than just being a replica of the phone version. This usually results in faster performance, greater reliability, and tighter hardware integration. Consider the difference between using a website in your phone’s browser and a dedicated app downloaded from the App Store. Both serve the same purpose, but the app typically offers a smoother experience.
Why This Took So Long
Telegram had a native Apple Watch app years ago, but it was quietly discontinued. The original app launched after the Apple Watch debuted in 2015. At that time, maintaining a separate codebase for such a small screen didn’t seem worth the effort.
However, the watch market has changed a lot since then. Apple hasn’t shared exact user numbers for the Apple Watch, but it has become the best-selling smartwatch worldwide by a large margin. More importantly, watchOS has matured significantly, providing developers with better tools to create capable apps without excessive effort.
By The Numbers
| Data Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Apple Stock (AAPL) | $291.13 (-1.52%) |
| Apple Founded | 1976, Cupertino, CA |
| Apple CEO | Tim Cook |
| Years Since Telegram’s Last Watch App | 10+ years |
| Telegram Features on Watch | Messages, GIFs, video, chat navigation |
How It Compares to WhatsApp and iMessage
For comparison, WhatsApp’s Apple Watch app still only allows for notification replies. iMessage, being Apple’s own service, offers the most refined messaging experience on the watch. With Telegram now featuring a full native app, it surpasses WhatsApp and is arguably on par with iMessage in terms of watch usability — at least regarding what you can do without pulling out your phone.
The inclusion of GIF and video support is particularly surprising. Watching a video clip on a 45mm watch screen might sound ridiculous, but since Telegram users send a lot of media, being able to preview messages without reaching for your phone is genuinely helpful.
What This Means
If you’re a Telegram user with an Apple Watch, this update enhances the watch’s usefulness throughout your day. You can read longer messages, check out media sent to you, and respond without needing to pull your phone out of your pocket. This may seem minor, but for those who primarily use Telegram — especially popular in Europe and parts of Asia — it fills a significant gap that’s existed for years.
This also indicates that Telegram is once again investing in platform-native experiences after years of focusing mainly on its core phone and desktop applications.
Community Reactions
“Finally. I switched back to Telegram from Signal specifically because of the feature set, but having to pull out my phone every time someone sent a sticker was annoying. This is a big quality-of-life fix.”
“Interesting that they rebuilt this from scratch instead of just porting over the old one. Suggests they actually care about making it feel right on the watch, not just checking a box.”
What To Watch
- watchOS 26 compatibility: Apple is expected to announce the next major watchOS update at WWDC, which may introduce new APIs that Telegram could utilize in future updates.
- WhatsApp response: With Telegram raising the bar, keep an eye on whether Meta will enhance WhatsApp’s watchOS app in the coming months.
- Rollout completion: The update is live but may take a few days to reach all users based on region and App Store update timing. Manually check the App Store if you don’t see it automatically.
Daniel Park
Daniel Park covers AI, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise software for Explosion.com. A former software engineer who transitioned to technology journalism 5 years ago, Daniel brings technical depth to his reporting on artificial intelligence, startup funding rounds, and the companies building the future of computing. He breaks down complex AI developments and business strategies into clear, actionable insights for readers who want to understand how technology is reshaping industries.
