Bot API 10.2 👻 Ephemeral Messages • Bots can now send remains the main reference point for users and Telegram Mini App developers following this update.
Telegram’s Bot API 10.2 introduces several key updates that expand what bots can do in group chats, with a strong focus on privacy and flexible messaging. The standout feature is support for ephemeral messages—temporary, targeted messages that only a specific group member can see. Bots can now deliver welcome prompts, private reminders, and even “whisper”-style messages visible only to a chosen user within a busy group. These messages can include popular media types, and bots can reply directly to them or delete them early for added control.
A significant addition is the ability to flag bot commands as ephemeral within group settings. When a user runs an ephemeral command, the result is visible only to them—not the entire group. This supports personal interactions, such as showing individual summaries, private notifications, or settings adjustments, without exposing sensitive information to everyone present. Developers gain new options for building private, workflow-specific interactions that previously required awkward workarounds or direct messages.
How Ephemeral Messages Work in Groups
Bots updated to Bot API 10.2 or higher can send ephemeral messages in group chats. When used, these messages are shown privately to the intended recipient and are not visible to others in the group. Bots can choose when these messages disappear—either via automatic expiration or by programmatically deleting them early.
This new approach is particularly useful for onboarding flows, context-specific alerts, or discrete support replies. Users benefit from fewer irrelevant notifications, and sensitive information is far less likely to be broadcast in error. Bot-side logic must ensure correct targeting and account for which content should be ephemeral; existing bots will require updates to support these features.
Building Rich Messages with Structured Entity Blocks
Another major improvement is support for sending rich messages through structured entity blocks. Instead of formatting text with Markdown or HTML only, developers can now define message content and layout in a more structured and reliable format. This allows for precise control over how bold text, links, and media are mixed, reducing rendering inconsistencies and improving message clarity across Telegram clients.
Rich messages created from entity blocks can integrate multiple media types—such as images, videos, and animations—directly inside the message. This is especially useful for onboarding new members, providing clear interactive tutorials, or supporting promotional campaigns. While most recent Telegram clients support entity blocks well, developers should test key message flows to ensure proper display, especially where media is an essential element.
Communities and Mini App API Restrictions
The 10.2 release introduces initial support for Telegram Communities, letting bots detect which Community a group or channel belongs to, and track associated service messages. This lays groundwork for scenarios where multiple groups, channels, and bots are organized under a larger thematic umbrella. However, the current integration is basic, with no details yet on permissions, moderation, or API enhancements for Community-wide operations.
Separately, a major change is upcoming for Telegram Mini Apps: from July 20, 2026, Mini App API methods will be usable only within their own domain. Multi-domain access will no longer be allowed by default, narrowing cross-service integrations. The only exception is an explicit opt-out—applied for through the @BotFather Mini App—which currently has no public approval guidance.
Teams building Mini Apps that involve multiple domains should immediately review existing architectures. Planning group- and Community-based bots or integrations will also require monitoring as further changes are released.
Bot API 10.2’s introduction of ephemeral messages gives bot builders a more polished approach for direct, user-specific interactions inside chats—ranging from onboarding and help prompts to private campaign messaging. Combined with new tools for rich message formatting and the early steps toward Community support, this update increases flexibility and privacy for both users and developers working with Telegram groups and Mini Apps.
To get the most out of these features, bot creators should update their integrations, thoroughly test private interactions, and check permission scopes for both group and Community usage scenarios.
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What Users and Developers Should Watch
Bot API 10.2 👻 Ephemeral Messages • Bots can now send matters for people following TON updates, Telegram Mini Apps, and ecosystem changes.
Why This Update Matters
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