Telegram is one of the most popular messaging services, loved by its users across the globe. It's packed with features and works on almost all devices, including Android phones, iPhones, Windows PCs, Macs, and even the best Chromebooks. One of the reasons behind the app's success is its clever use of emoji and stickers. The emoji and stickers in Telegram offer quirky animations that give the app a personality and make it more fun to use. One of the best uses of emoji in Telegram is for reacting to messages.

While other chat apps like Google RCS messaging standard and WhatsApp support message reaction, none do it better than Telegram. Telegram lets you send quick emoji reactions, change the default emoji reaction, and select the emoji you want to use while reacting to messages. Also, all emoji reactions come with their own animation, making the chat more fun.

If you haven't tried message reactions in Telegram, you are in for a treat. Here's how you can use reactions in Telegram for Android in individual and group chats.

How to react to personal Telegram messages

There are two ways to react to the messages you receive in one-to-one chats.

Use the default emoji

Double-tap the message to react with your default emoji. It's the thumbs-up emoji if you're using reactions for the first time, but you can customize your default emoji.

You can also double-tap the message to remove your emoji reaction quickly.

Select a different emoji

Telegram lets you react with emojis other than your default one for one-off use. This is how it's done:

  1. Single-tap the message to reveal the Options menu.
  2. Choose one of the seven common emojis to react with.
  3. Tap the arrow to reveal a larger emoji pool. Scroll down to find multiple paid emoji collections as part of Telegram Premium.
  4. Select the emoji of your choice to add it as a reaction.

Add animation to emojis

A little animation appears when you react to a message to make your chats a bit more fun, and each of those animations is different for all emoji. If you want to react strongly to a message, tap and hold an emoji to make the animation more striking for both the sender and the receiver.

How to select your default reaction emoji in Telegram

The default emoji allows you to react quickly to a message using the emoji you most often use. It could be a thumbs-up, heart, or anything else. This is where you'll find the option:

  1. Tap the hamburger menu.
  2. From the app menu, go to Settings.
  3. Tap Chat Settings and open the Stickers and Emoji option.
  4. Tap Quick Reaction.
  5. In the emoji list, choose the one you want to set as your default.

And that's it. From now on, when you double-tap a message, your new default emoji is used for the reaction.

How to use reactions in Telegram groups?

Reactions work the same way in Telegram groups as in personal chats for the members. You can double-tap to use your default emoji or choose another emoji. However, Telegram group admins have additional control over how other participants can use emoji reactions in their group.

This is where you'll find the option as an admin:

  1. Open the group chat you administer and tap the group name at the top.
  2. Tap the pencil icon to enter the Edit menu.
  3. Go to Reactions.
  4. Choose one of the three options:
    • All reactions: Group members can use any emoji to react to group messages without restrictions.
    • Some reactions: Participants can only use selected emojis to react. You can safelist the emoji using the toggle button next to each.
    • No reactions: Turns off emoji reactions for everyone.

Going more private with Telegram

While Telegram isn't end-to-end encrypted by design, many privacy-focused features are baked into the app. You can use its secret chats to temporarily enable E2EE for extra privacy or send self-destructing media that will be deleted after a certain time. You can even hide your IP address by adding a proxy server within the app — no external VPNs needed — something you won't find on any other messaging app. There are more ways you can make Telegram safer and more secure while still enjoying all its fantastic features.