3 Simple Steps to Disable Auto-Downloading on Telegram Desktop

Telegram is a popular messaging app that allows users to send and receive messages, photos, videos, and other files. By default, Telegram automatically downloads media files to your device. However, you can disable this feature if you want to save storage space or if you don’t want Telegram to download files without your permission.

There are two ways to disable auto-downloading in Telegram. The first method is to go to the Telegram settings and turn off the “Auto-download media” option. The second method is to use a third-party app that blocks Telegram from accessing your storage. This method is more effective, but it requires you to root your device.

If you’re not sure which method to use, I recommend using the first method. It’s the easiest and safest way to disable auto-downloading in Telegram. However, if you’re having trouble with the first method, you can try the second method.

Disable Automatic Media Downloading

Telegram automatically downloads media files (images, videos, documents, etc.) to your device, which can take up storage space and consume data. To disable this feature and prevent Telegram from automatically downloading media files to your desktop:

Step 1: Open Telegram Settings

Launch Telegram on your desktop and click on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the window to open the main menu. Then, select “Settings” from the menu.

Step 2: Navigate to “Chat Settings”

In the Settings window, select the “Chat Settings” tab from the left-hand navigation panel.

Step 3: Configure Automatic Media Download Settings

Under the “Media Auto-Download” section, you will find several options for configuring automatic media downloading:

Option	Description
Never	Never automatically download media files.
Wi-Fi Only	Automatically download media files only when connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Mobile Data	Automatically download media files even when connected to a mobile data network.
Roaming	Automatically download media files even while roaming (using data services outside your home network).

Select the desired option to adjust the automatic media downloading behavior according to your preferences.

Customize Auto-Download Settings

Telegram allows users to customize their auto-download settings to control which files are automatically downloaded to their devices.

To customize these settings, follow these steps:

Open the Telegram app on your device.
Tap on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen.
Select “Settings” from the menu.
Tap on “Chat Settings”.
Under “Auto-Download Media,” you can choose to automatically download photos, videos, and documents based on your preferences.

You can also set different auto-download settings for different chat types. For example, you can choose to automatically download photos and videos in group chats but only download documents when you manually tap on them.

To set different auto-download settings for different chat types:

Open the chat for which you want to change the auto-download settings.
Tap on the chat name at the top of the screen.
Tap on “Notifications and Sounds”.
Under “Media Auto-Download,” you can choose to automatically download photos, videos, and documents for that specific chat.

By customizing your auto-download settings, you can control which files are automatically downloaded to your device and save storage space.

Media Type	Options
Photos	Never, Wi-Fi only, Cellular data only, Wi-Fi or cellular data
Videos	Never, Wi-Fi only, Cellular data only, Wi-Fi or cellular data
Documents	Never, Wi-Fi only, Cellular data only, Wi-Fi or cellular data

Limit Auto-Download File Types

Telegram offers granular control over which file types are automatically downloaded on your desktop. By default, Telegram auto-downloads images, videos, voice messages, and files under 10MB. You can customize this behavior by following these steps:

Open Telegram on your desktop.
Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the screen.
Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
Click on the “Auto-Download” tab.
Under “File Types,” you will see a list of file types and their associated download settings.
To disable auto-download for a specific file type, uncheck the box next to it.
Click on “Save” to apply your changes.

Here are the file types that you can manage auto-download settings for:

File Type	Description
Images	JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.
Videos	MP4, MOV, AVI, etc.
Voice Messages	OGG, WAV, etc.
Other Files	Any file type not listed above, such as ZIP, PDF, or EXE.

You can also specify a maximum file size for auto-download. Any files that exceed this size will not be automatically downloaded. To do this, enter the desired file size in the “Max File Size” field and click on “Save.”

Manage Data Usage Thresholds

Telegram offers customizable data usage thresholds to help you control how much data the app downloads automatically. By setting these thresholds, you can prevent Telegram from downloading large files or media over your mobile data connection, potentially saving you from incurring data overage charges.

To configure data usage thresholds:

Open Telegram and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner.
Select “Settings” and then “Data and Storage.”
Under “Auto-download,” you can adjust the thresholds for the following file types:

File Type	Threshold Options
Photos	Don’t Auto-Download, Wi-Fi Only, Mobile Data Only, Always
Videos	Don’t Auto-Download, Wi-Fi Only, Mobile Data Only, Always
Documents	Don’t Auto-Download, Wi-Fi Only, Mobile Data Only, Always
Music	Don’t Auto-Download, Wi-Fi Only, Mobile Data Only, Always

By default, Telegram will only auto-download files over Wi-Fi. You can adjust these thresholds to allow auto-download over mobile data for specific file types if desired. However, it’s important to note that auto-downloading over mobile data can consume significant amounts of data, so it’s recommended to use the Wi-Fi Only or Don’t Auto-Download settings for most file types.

Adjust Download Location

To prevent Telegram from automatically downloading media files to your desktop, you can adjust the download location within the Telegram Settings.

1. Open the Telegram app on your desktop.
2. Click on the three horizontal lines icon located at the top left corner of the window.
3. Navigate to “Settings.”
4. Click on the “Advanced” tab.
5. Under the “Downloads” section, you will find the “Location” option. By default, the download location is set to the “Desktop” folder.

To change the download location, simply click on the “Choose” button and select a different folder on your computer.

Here’s a table summarizing the steps for changing the download location in Telegram:

Step	Action
1	Open Telegram and click on the three horizontal lines icon.
2	Navigate to “Settings” and click on the “Advanced” tab.
3	Under the “Downloads” section, click on the “Location” option and change the default download location.

Utilize the Unsaved Media Folder

If you enable Telegram’s Unsaved Media Folder option within your device settings, Telegram will only download media if the recipient manually selects and downloads it themselves. Here’s how to activate this feature:

For Android:

1. Open the Telegram app and tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner to access the menu.
2. Select “Settings” and then tap on “Chat Settings.”
3. Under the “Auto-Download Media” section, tap on “Unsaved Media Folder” to enable the feature.

For iOS:

1. Open the Telegram app and tap on the “Settings” tab in the bottom right corner.
2. Under the “Data and Storage” section, tap on “Auto-Download Media.”
3. Select “Unsaved Media Folder” to enable the feature.

Note that if you disable auto-downloading while using a mobile network, media will only be downloaded when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. To adjust these settings:

1. For Android, follow steps 1-2 above, then tap on “When connected on mobile network” to select your preferred auto-download options.

2. For iOS, follow steps 1-2 above, then tap on “Over Cellular” or “Over Wi-Fi & Cellular” to choose your desired settings.

By utilizing the Unsaved Media Folder feature, you can effectively prevent Telegram from automatically downloading media to your desktop, giving you greater control over your app’s behavior and storage usage.

Restrict Auto-Downloading in Private Conversations

To prevent Telegram from automatically downloading files in private conversations:

Open the Telegram app on your desktop.
Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner.
Select “Settings” from the menu.
In the “Chats” section, click on the “Auto-Download Media” setting.
Uncheck the box next to “Private Chats” to disable auto-downloading in private conversations.
Click on “OK” to save your changes.

Deactivate Auto-Downloading When Roaming

To prevent Telegram from automatically downloading media when roaming, follow these steps:

1. Open the Telegram app on your device.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the screen.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Tap “Data and Storage.”
5. Under the “Automatic Media Download” section, uncheck the box for “Roaming.”

This will prevent Telegram from automatically downloading media when you are connected to a cellular network while roaming.

Additionally, you can further customize the auto-download settings for different types of media:

Media Type	Auto-Download
Photos
Videos
Files
Voice Messages
Gifs

Employ Third-Party Telegram Clients

Utilizing third-party Telegram clients is an effective method to prevent Telegram from auto-downloading to your desktop. These clients offer a range of customizable options and features that allow users to tailor their experience. Some notable third-party Telegram clients include:

Table of Third-Party Telegram Clients

Client	Features
Telegram X	Lightweight, fast loading, customizable interface, chat themes
Plus Messenger	Multiple account support, customization, password protection
Bgram	Advanced privacy features, message scheduling, message translations

To disable auto-downloading using third-party Telegram clients, follow these steps:

Download and install your chosen third-party Telegram client.
Open the client and log in to your Telegram account.
Access the settings menu within the client.
Locate the option for auto-downloading files or media.
Disable the auto-download feature.
Save your changes and restart the client.

By following these steps, you can effectively prevent Telegram from auto-downloading files to your desktop when using a third-party Telegram client.

Leverage External Media Management Tools

Utilizing Third-Party Apps for Selective Downloads

Apps like Telegram Media Control and Telegram Selective Media Downloader grant users the ability to control which media files are automatically downloaded. These tools provide options to specify file types, sizes, and chat sources for restricted downloads. By leveraging these apps, users can prevent unwanted files from consuming storage space and optimize their Telegram experience.

Managing Downloads Through Web-Based Tools

Telegram’s web client offers media management features that allow users to control automatic downloads. By accessing the "Settings" menu within the Telegram web app, users can configure specific parameters for media downloads. This includes options to disable auto-downloading altogether or to set file size limits for different types of media.

Configuring Network Settings for Selective Downloads

For advanced users, adjusting network settings can be an effective way to restrict Telegram’s automatic downloads. By adding custom firewall rules or modifying router configurations, users can block Telegram from connecting to the servers responsible for downloading media files. This method provides a comprehensive approach to controlling downloads, but requires technical expertise to implement.

Utilizing Proxy Servers for Granular Control

Proxy servers can act as intermediaries between Telegram and the user’s network, enabling fine-grained control over data transfers. By configuring a proxy with specific rules, users can restrict Telegram’s access to download servers for specific file types or sizes. This provides a flexible solution for managing automatic downloads and preventing unwanted data consumption.

Leveraging Cloud Storage for Efficient Management

Integrating Telegram with cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox allows users to control and store media files conveniently. By linking Telegram to a cloud storage account, users can configure automatic uploads of media files, ensuring that they are available for access and retrieval without占用 local storage space.

Optimizing Settings for Specific Devices

Telegram provides device-specific settings that can be customized to control automatic downloads. For example, on mobile devices, users can adjust auto-download settings based on available storage space or network connectivity. By optimizing these settings for each device, users can strike a balance between convenience and storage conservation.

Enforcing Group-Level Media Restrictions

Telegram administrators have the ability to set media restrictions for specific groups. By enabling these restrictions, administrators can prevent group members from automatically downloading media files, ensuring a more controlled and focused group environment.

Utilizing Bots for Automated Media Management

Telegram bots can be programmed to perform specific tasks related to media management. Users can develop custom bots or utilize existing ones to automatically delete unwanted media files, restrict downloads based on specific criteria, or provide notifications for new downloads.

Combining Multiple Methods for Comprehensive Control

By combining multiple media management techniques, users can achieve the desired level of control over Telegram’s automatic downloads. For instance, leveraging external apps for selective downloads can be complemented by configuring network settings for granular control and utilizing cloud storage for efficient file management.

How To Stop Telegram From Auto Downloading Desktop

Telegram is a popular messaging app that allows users to send text, voice, and video messages, as well as share files and photos. By default, Telegram automatically downloads media files to your device. However, if you want to stop Telegram from auto-downloading media files, you can do so by following these steps:

Open Telegram on your desktop.
Click on the three lines in the top left corner of the screen.
Select “Settings” from the menu.
Click on the “Chat Settings” tab.
Uncheck the box next to “Auto-download Media”.

Once you have unchecked the box, Telegram will no longer automatically download media files to your device. You can still manually download media files by clicking on the download button next to the file.