Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging service that was founded by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Durov in 2013. Known for its focus on privacy and security, Telegram has evolved significantly over the years and has become one of the most popular messaging platforms globally.
The Telegram logo has undergone a few changes since the app’s inception in 2013. As a widely recognised messaging platform, Telegram emphasises privacy and user-friendly features, which is reflected in its evolving visual identity. This article explores the history and evolution of the Telegram logo over the years.
The Genesis of the Telegram Logo (2013 – 2014)
In its first year, Telegram introduced a square-shaped logo, which was distinctive compared to the more common rounded logos of other messaging apps. The design featured a dark blue square background with a white paper aeroplane that aligned with the sharp edges of the square.
This logo symbolised communication and quick information exchange and embodied the app’s core principles of reliability and security. The geometric design elements conveyed a sense of movement and represented the seamless communication experience Telegram aimed to provide.
(2014 – 2019)
As Telegram gained popularity, the logo evolved into a more recognisable form. The square was replaced by a circular design and featured a lighter blue background and a simplified white paper aeroplane icon. This iteration maintained smooth lines and bold shapes, which enhanced its modern aesthetic while ensuring clarity and friendliness.
The colour palette of blue and white represented trustworthiness and contributed to the light and fresh appearance of the logo. The design changes during this period reflected Telegram’s growth as a social media platform while retaining its identity as a communication tool. In some cases, the Telegram logo used to be accompanied by the wordmark “Telegram” in a bold, black, sans-serif typeface.
(2019 – Present)
In 2019, Telegram introduced a further refined version of its logo. This design eliminated unnecessary details and focused on essential elements: a solid light blue circle with a white paper aeroplane at its centre. The lines became bolder and smoother and projected confidence and contemporary appeal.
Also, instead of the grey polygons that were present in the paper plane design of the previous logo, an elongated strip is the only element that remains. The strip divides the wings of the paper plane into two symmetrical parts. This minimalist approach resonated with users. It emphasised clarity and recognisability while reinforcing Telegram’s commitment to innovation in the messaging landscape.
The Elements of the Telegram Logo
Symbol
The Telegram logo consists of a graphical emblem, mostly without any text. This emblem features an image of a paper plane in white right at the centre of a solid light-blue circle. The symbol reflects the purpose of the app, that is, of connecting people and sending messages.
Font
Although the Telegram logo consists of a graphical emblem without any wordmark, it does add a wordmark when needed. The wordmark in the form of the brand name “Telegram” is mentioned below the emblem in black against a white background and in a sans-serif typeface.
Colour
The blue and white colour scheme of the Telegram logo represents communication and creates a friendly and welcoming appearance. At the same time, it highlights the professional qualities of the platform, such as enhanced security, file-sharing capabilities, customisation options, and a user-friendly interface, among others.
The History of Telegram
Telegram was officially launched for iOS devices, with an Android version following shortly in October 2013. The platform was created as a response to increasing concerns over privacy and surveillance, particularly in Russia, where the Durov brothers had previously founded VKontakte (VK), a popular social networking site. The initial focus was on providing a secure messaging service that allowed users to communicate without the risk of interception. Telegram introduced its proprietary encryption protocol, MTProto, which aimed to ensure secure communications.
By December 2014, Telegram began gaining traction and reached 50 million monthly active users. The platform introduced features like group chats and channels for broadcasting messages to large audiences. In February 2016, the platform achieved a significant milestone with 100 million monthly active users. It also used to handle around 15 billion messages per day. This period saw the introduction of voice calls and enhanced security measures.
However, Telegram faced criticism regarding its security protocols. For instance, in April 2016, accounts belonging to Russian opposition members were compromised due to SMS interception, which raised concerns about the effectiveness of its security measures.
In 2017, Telegram transitioned to an improved version of its MTProto protocol (MTProto 2.0) to enhance security further. The platform also gained the ability to initiate one-on-one voice calls. By December 2017, Telegram had reached about 180 million monthly active users and announced plans for a blockchain platform called TON (Telegram Open Network). In March 2018, the platform raised approximately $1.7 billion through private sales for its cryptocurrency project, Gram.
However, despite its popularity, Telegram faced challenges such as bans in certain countries. In April 2018, a Russian court ruled to block Telegram due to its refusal to provide encryption keys to the government. In June 2020, though, this ban was eventually lifted. In 2020, amid growing global tensions and increased demand for secure communication tools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the user base of Telegram surged. In fact, by January 2021, it surpassed 500 million active monthly users.
During this period, the platform introduced several new features, which include video calls with end-to-end encryption and options for importing chat histories from other messaging apps. In March 2021, Telegram experienced a massive influx of users following outages at Facebook and its associated services. As of August 2021, Telegram had been downloaded over 1 billion times, thereby reflecting its rapid growth and widespread adoption.
In June 2022, Telegram reported having over 700 million active monthly users. The app has also diversified its features by allowing payments through various methods and enhancing user privacy options. By March 2024, Telegram reached over 900 million active monthly users and strengthened its position as a leading messaging platform worldwide.
Interesting Facts About Telegram
- Telegram has seen exponential growth since its launch in 2013 and boasts over 950 million active users as of 2024. This surge in popularity is partly due to its strong emphasis on privacy and security, which attracts users who are dissatisfied with other messaging platforms.
- In spite of its worldwide popularity, Telegram has not been able to make much of a dent among Americans, with only 2% using it to get news.
- The millennials represent the largest demographic segment of Telegram users. In fact, about 31% of Telegram users fall in the age group of 25 to 34.
- Telegram offers end-to-end encryption for its secret chats. This ensures that only the participants can access the messages. Regular chats are encrypted client-to-server, thereby providing a secure environment for communication.
- Users can create groups with up to 200,000 members, which makes Telegram an ideal platform for large communities and organisations to communicate efficiently.
- Telegram allows users to send files up to 2 GB in size, significantly surpassing the limits set by competitors like WhatsApp (100 MB) and WeChat (100 MB). This feature is particularly useful for professionals who need to share large documents or media files.
- Telegram allows users to make crypto payments in Bitcoin through its wallet bot.
- The app is available on various platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Users can access their messages from multiple devices simultaneously, with seamless synchronisation across all platforms.
- Telegram allows users to create accounts using just a username, eliminating the need for a phone number. This feature enhances user privacy and security.
- Users can send self-destructing messages that automatically disappear after a set time, adding an extra layer of confidentiality to sensitive conversations.
- Telegram supports channels for broadcasting messages to unlimited audiences and bots for automating tasks or enhancing user interaction. This functionality has made it popular among businesses and content creators.
- Telegram has a significant global presence, with notable user bases in countries like India and Indonesia. As of early 2021, India accounted for 24% of global downloads.
- Initially, Telegram had its headquarters in St. Petersburg in Russia. Today, the messaging app is based in Dubai.
- The largest user base of Telegram is from Asia (38%), followed by Europe (27%), Latin America (21%), and North Africa and the Middle East (8%).
- Telegram e-commerce is mostly driven by Chinese goods ($12 million) and consumer loans ($3.1 million) (Source: Statista).
- The app has gained attention for its role in various political movements and events worldwide, including its use by leaders during conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. It serves as a platform for sharing news and updates in real time.
- Telegram is also widely used by extreme groups.
- The average usage time on Telegram is more than 2.7 hours on Facebook Messenger—2.9 hours.
- About 70% of users have been found to be engaged with fake bots on Telegram, which mostly originate in or near Russia.
- Telegram is reported to have not spent any money on advertising.
- About 85% of Telegram users have Android devices.
Finally
The Telegram logo and its various iterations reflects the app’s journey from a simple messaging service to a comprehensive platform that prioritises user privacy and engagement. Each logo redesign has aimed to enhance clarity, modernity, and recognition while maintaining the core values that define the identity of Telegram.