How to use Telegram as a personal cloud with unlimited space

If you've ever run out of space on services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud, you've probably considered looking for free and more flexible alternatives. In this article, we'll explain. How to use Telegram as a personal cloud, thanks to its cloud messaging system, combining ease of use and multi-device access.

An unlimited personal cloud, with many advantages and some limitationsTurn your Telegram account into a true personal storage center, all without spending a single euro or having to install anything additional.

Why is Telegram a real alternative to conventional clouds?

 

One of the most limited resources on any device is storage space, and microSD cards are no longer always a valid option. Many mobile phones have abandoned this option, and in the case of iPhones, it's simply unviable, so cloud-based alternatives have gained traction. However, most solutions, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Mega, or iCloud, require monthly payments and quickly fill up.

Telegram provides Completely free cloud storage feature with no total space limit, allowing you to save photos, videos, documents, and various files. The big difference compared to WhatsApp and many other services is that the files you upload don't take up local space unless you choose to download them, and you can access them from any device with Telegram installed, whether Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, or even via Telegram Web.

This makes Telegram a kind of highly customizable "online hard drive", where you can organize folders, create thematic groups, and use it both privately and shared. The flexibility extends to the point where you can create groups that only you can participate in, functioning as folders for each file type, or even private channels for selective sharing.

Limitations and privacy aspects to consider

Although Telegram proposes a "boundless" cloud in practice, There are important details you should keep in mind, especially regarding privacy and file limits. Unlike services designed specifically for cloud storage, Telegram doesn't apply end-to-end encryption by default to "normal" chats or your own saved messages. This means that even though your files travel encrypted to Telegram's servers, the company could technically access them. This isn't the case with secret chats, but these don't serve as cloud storage because you'll only be able to view them on the device where they were created.

It is not recommended to use Telegram for store highly sensitive information or important personal data. For most practical uses (photos, videos, non-critical documents, etc.), security is sufficient, but if you're looking for maximum privacy, keep this in mind.

Regarding limits, Telegram does not place restrictions on the total amount of data you can save, but it does limit the size of each individual file:

• Free users: maximum 2 GB per file.
• Premium users: up to 4GB file size and faster download speeds.

There are no monthly limits, maximum folders, or device restrictions—you can access everything from anywhere with your username and password.

How to use Telegram as a personal cloud step by step

Save files in Telegram as if they were Google Drive it was about It is simple and does not require external installations. You can use several methodologies to organize yourself according to your needs:

1. Use "Saved Messages" as your personal space

El "Saved Messages" chat It's probably the fastest and most straightforward way to use Telegram as a personal cloud. It lets you save notes, images, videos, documents, and even important links, all accessible on any device with your account.

• From the phone: Open Telegram and look for the chat named "Saved Messages." If it doesn't appear, use the search bar's magnifying glass.
• To save: Share or send any file to that chat, from photos, audio files, or PDFs to links or voice notes. Simply use your system's share option and select Telegram.
• From the PC: You can drag and drop files into your Saved Messages chat, which is especially convenient for work documents or compressed folders (remember the 2GB limit per file).

2. Organize your cloud by creating private groups or channels

If you prefer a more advanced organizationTelegram allows you to create groups that only involve you. This way, you can divide them by topic: documents, photos, wallpapers, shopping lists, APK files, etc.

1. Click “New Group,” add only yourself, and give it a descriptive name.
2. Upload files related to the corresponding topic to the group.
3. You can create as many groups as you like (although pinned groups at the top are limited to five if you don't have Telegram Premium).

3. Use private channels for shared storage

Channels offer even more flexibility, as they are ideal if you want to store and share files with multiple people (family, coworkers, study groups). You can create private channels and invite only those you choose. In these channels, uploaded files are always available to all invitees, and you can control who uploads and downloads content.

The steps are:

1. Go to Telegram and click on the pencil icon or “New Channel” menu.
2. Choose name, photo and optional description.
3. Decide whether the channel will be public or private (private is most common for personal clouds).
4. Upload files and organize content by message or topic. You can pin messages to the channel to find them quickly.

Tips for organizing and searching efficiently in your Telegram cloud

One of the strengths of using Telegram as a personal cloud is the ease of searching and organizing files, which is essential in any cloud storage system. Some useful tricks would be:

• By clicking on the name of a chat, group, or channel, you'll see tabs to filter content by type: media (photos and videos), files, links, or GIFs.
• Use the option pin important messages (by long-pressing on the file or message and selecting 'Pin') to quickly access key documents.
• You can tag messages with emojis or custom names, making them easier to find using the chat or group search function.
• In channels and groups, separate topics using clear names, and remember that you can use Telegram's global search engine to quickly find any file or conversation.

Differences between Telegram, Google Drive and other cloud solutions

Using Telegram as a personal cloud gives us An alternative to more traditional services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive is useful to understand their advantages and limitations. The key differences lie in the following aspects:

• Storage space: Telegram doesn't put a total limit on the amount of space you can use, while Google Drive typically has a free limit of 15 GB (including photos, documents, and Gmail emails); Dropbox and others offer even less.
• Limit per file: On Telegram, you can upload files up to 2 GB at a time (4 GB if you're a Premium user); other services, although the space is smaller, may allow larger files if you pay for a subscription.
• Synchronization and recovery: The Telegram cloud is synced across all your devices, but it lacks advanced options like previous versions of files or recovery after deletion, features more typical of professional cloud storage.
• Privacy and Encryption: Telegram encrypts data in transit, but not end-to-end by default for stored messages. Google Drive and other solutions, while encrypting data at rest, can also technically access files.
• Organization: Traditional storage services offer more sophisticated folders, subfolders, and metadata. In Telegram, organization is based on chats, groups, and labels. If you want real folders, you'll need to use external tools like TgStorage.

Additional advantages that make using Telegram your personal cloud

Telegram continues to gain users not only for its cloud, but for the combination of functions that integrates:

• Full multi-device access: You can view, upload, and download files from your mobile phone, tablet, PC, or the web without restrictions and in a completely synchronized manner.
• Does not depend on local storage: You can delete files from your phone and they'll still be accessible in the Telegram cloud, freeing up space without losing access to anything relevant.
• Supports a wide variety of files: From documents, photos, and videos to compressed files, APKs, audio files, notes, links, and much more.
• Flexibility for private or shared use: Between private chats, personal topic groups, private channels to share with colleagues or family, and support for bots and other tools, the management and collaboration possibilities are endless.

This versatility makes using Telegram as a personal cloud an increasingly popular option.

What types of files can be uploaded and how can I keep my cloud organized?

There are hardly any format restrictions: You can store images, videos, PDFs, documents, music files, app APKs, compressed folders, and much more. Remember that for folders, you only need to compress them before sending them, since Telegram doesn't allow direct uploads of directories; the trick is to use Zip or 7-Zip. And, if you need more organization, you can use web apps like TgStorage to maintain a much more intuitive folder and category structure.

Another useful tip is that every time you share a file, use the option to add a note or tag, as this will serve as a reference for future searches.

Anyone looking for a simple, free, and accessible storage solution across multiple devices will find that using Telegram as a personal cloud is a very powerful and adaptable option. It just requires consistency in management and organization to keep everything under control and easily accessible.