New Telegram Update Does Not Include Telemoji — But Why?

This week, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said that Apple was holding off a major Telegram update for an undisclosed reason. The reason? Durov claimed that the iPhone maker complained about new animated emoji featured in the app, according to the news story by 9to5Mac.

However, the update has now been approved in the iOS App Store.

Apple Allegedly Demanded Telegram to Remove Telemoji

There are several new features in the most recent update to Telegram's iOS app, especially for Premium subscribers.

The new emoji panel, which also adds new animated emoji, is the most notable addition to this update, though. Users can now include numerous animated emoji in their messages, when before just individual animated emoji could be sent.

Although Telegram currently offers certain animated emoji, the platform is now expanding this capabilities even further. The app provides a variety of "Telemoji" packs, as these new animated emoji are called.

And here's where things get complicated with Apple. Durov asserts that Apple has asked the platform to take Telemoji out of the update. This is due to one of the new packs allegedly largely drawing inspiration from the original iOS emoji but using Telegram-made animations.

"After extensive media coverage of my previous post,' Durov wrote on his Telegram channel on Friday, "Apple got back to us with a demand to water down our pending Telegram update by removing Telemoji - higher quality vector-animated versions of the standard emoji."

The App Store review team has given their approval to the Telegram update featuring Telemoji. However, this version currently lacks the animated emoji set that was allegedly based on Apple's design style.

However, Jay Peters of The Verge assumed Apple opposed a different company changing its designs in this way, which may be the reason it asked Telegram to take Telemoji out of the update.

Long-term, this will spur Telegram to make Telemoji even more "unique and recognizable," according to Durov's Telegram post.

It's important to note that while anybody can view Telemoji in messages, only Premium subscribers can send them.

What Are the Changes in Telegram's Latest Update

The update is packed with extra new emoji enhancements, The Verge pointed out. When using custom emoji in chats with friends, users of Telegram's recently released $4.99 Premium service will be able to upload and use their customized emoji. Telegram is starting out by providing 10 custom packs that each contain more than 500 emoji. Any animated emoji can be seen by free users, who can also use them in saved messages.

Additionally, Telegram has improved the iOS sticker panel by adding separate tabs for stickers, GIFs, and emoji, similar to what you may be used to seeing in Telegram on Android, desktop, or the web.

A new feature for premium users lets them choose who can send them voice and video messages.

And lastly, you can now give discounted prepaid subscriptions to Telegram premium to friends, family, and coworkers for 3, 6, or 12 months.