How to Access Telegram Data via Desktop App

[fatimahislam]

Renowned for its speed, security, and cloud-based synchronization, offers a robust desktop application that provides convenient access to your chats and media. While Telegram stores most of your data in its secure cloud, the desktop app also manages local files and offers a powerful export feature, giving you significant control over your information.

Installing and Logging In
The first step to accessing your Telegram data on a desktop is to download and install the official Telegram Desktop application. You can find it on the official Telegram website or through your telegram data operating system's app store (e.g., Microsoft Store for Windows). Once installed, launch the application. You'll be prompted to log in to your account. This can typically be done in two ways:

QR Code: This is often the quickest method. Open your Telegram mobile app, go to Settings > Devices > Link Desktop Device, and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.
Phone Number: Alternatively, you can enter your registered phone number, and Telegram will send a confirmation code to your mobile app. Enter this code into the desktop app to log in.
Once logged in, your entire chat history, including messages, photos, videos, and documents, will sync from the Telegram cloud, making it accessible on your desktop.

Locating Downloaded Files
When you download media or files from Telegram chats on your desktop, they are typically saved to a specific location on your computer. By default, Telegram Desktop usually stores these files in a folder named "Telegram Desktop" within your system's "Downloads" directory.

On Windows: Navigate to This PC or Quick Access, then open the Downloads folder. You should find a "Telegram Desktop" folder there.
On macOS: Open Finder and go to your Downloads folder. Look for "Telegram Desktop."
If you can't find the files in the default location, it's possible you've changed the download path. To check or modify this:

Open the Telegram Desktop app.
Go to Settings.
Select Advanced.
Look for the Download Path option. Here, you can see the current save location or choose a new custom folder for your Telegram downloads.
For individual files already downloaded, you can right-click on the file within the Telegram chat and select "Show in Folder" (Windows) or "Show in Finder" (Mac) to directly open its location on your computer.

Exporting Your Telegram Data
One of the most powerful features of the Telegram Desktop app is its ability to export your entire Telegram data, including chat history, photos, videos, voice messages, files, and more. This is particularly useful for creating local backups or for personal archival purposes.

To export your data:

Open the Telegram Desktop app and ensure you are logged in.
Click on the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top-left corner to open the app menu.
Select Settings.
Scroll down and choose Privacy and Security.
Click on Export Telegram Data.
A new window will appear, allowing you to select the categories of information you wish to export (e.g., Account information, Personal chats, Contact list, Private chats, Bot chats, Channels, Groups). You can also specify the media types (photos, videos, voice messages, files) and a time range for the export.
Crucially, you can choose the export format:
Human-readable HTML: This creates a set of HTML files that can be opened in any web browser, making it easy to browse your chats offline with a familiar interface.
Machine-readable JSON: This format is more suitable for developers or for processing the data programmatically.