Telegram Video Message: Send, Save & Download Circle Videos (2026)
Telegram’s circle videos — those round, bubble-shaped clips you see in chats — are one of the app’s most used features. But saving them, downloading them, or even recording them trips up a lot of people.
This guide walks you through everything: how to record a Telegram video message, how to save circle videos to your phone or computer, how to forward them, and how to fix it when the whole thing stops working.
What Is a Telegram Circle Video?
A Telegram video message (also called a “circle video” or “video note”) is a short, round video clip you record and send inside any chat. It’s the video version of a voice message — quick, personal, and meant to be spontaneous.
Here’s what makes them different from regular videos:
- They’re circular, not rectangular
- Maximum length is 60 seconds
- They autoplay on mute when they appear in the chat
- You record them live by holding down the camera icon
- They sync across all your devices
Circle videos are great for quick reactions, showing someone what you’re looking at, or just saying hi when typing feels too impersonal.
How to Send a Circle Video
Recording a Telegram video message takes about three seconds once you know the steps:
- Open any chat in Telegram (private or group)
- Find the microphone icon next to the message input
- Tap the microphone once — it switches to a camera icon
- Press and hold the camera icon to start recording
- Release to send
That’s it. The video goes out as soon as you lift your finger.
Hands-free recording: Swipe up while holding the camera icon to lock the recording. You can then let go and the recording continues. Tap the stop button when you’re done.
Switch cameras: The front camera is the default. During recording, tap the camera-swap icon (circular arrows) to switch to the rear camera. Useful when you want to show something around you instead of your face.
Desktop limitation: You cannot record circle videos from Telegram Desktop or Telegram Web. This feature only works on iOS and Android. On desktop, you can watch and save circle videos but not create them.
Save Circle Videos (All Devices)
This is the most common question people have about Telegram video messages. Here’s how to save them on every platform.
Android
- Tap the circle video to open it full screen
- Tap the three-dot menu (top-right corner)
- Select “Save to gallery”
- The video saves as an MP4 file in your gallery
Alternatively, long-press the video message in the chat and tap “Save to gallery” from the context menu.
iPhone
- Tap the circle video to open it
- Tap the Share icon (square with upward arrow)
- Select “Save Video”
- Find the video in your Photos app
Desktop (Windows / Mac / Linux)
- Right-click the circle video in the chat
- Select “Save Video As”
- Choose where to save the MP4 file on your computer
Where Do Saved Videos Go?
On Android, saved Telegram videos typically appear in a “Telegram” folder inside your gallery. On iPhone, they go to the Camera Roll in Photos. On desktop, they save wherever you choose in the file dialog.
The saved file is always an MP4. You can share it, edit it, or upload it anywhere like any other video file.
Forward Circle Videos
You can forward Telegram circle videos to other chats, groups, or contacts. Here’s how:
- Long-press (mobile) or right-click (desktop) the circle video
- Tap “Forward”
- Pick the chat or contact you want to send it to
- Tap “Send”
The forwarded video keeps its circular format. The recipient sees the same bubble-style video in their chat.
Note on restricted chats: Some groups or channels disable forwarding. If you can’t forward a video, the group admin has turned off this option.
Video Messages vs Video Calls
| Circle Video Message | Video Call | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Asynchronous (like texting) | Live, real-time |
| Length | 60 seconds max | No limit |
| Data usage | 1-3 MB per message | Continuous streaming |
| Best for | Quick updates, reactions | Meetings, long conversations |
| Recipient | Views it whenever | Must answer live |
| Record from | Mobile only | Mobile and desktop |
| Format | Circular, autoplay | Full screen |
Use a circle video when you want to say something quick and personal. Use a video call when you need a real-time back-and-forth conversation.
Telegram Premium Video Features
Telegram Premium changes a few things about how videos work on the platform. Here’s what Premium subscribers get:
- Voice-to-text for video messages: Premium users can transcribe circle videos to text. Tap the transcript button on any video message to read what was said instead of listening.
- 4 GB file uploads: Free users can send files up to 2 GB. Premium raises this to 4 GB, which means longer and higher-quality regular video files.
- Faster downloads: Premium removes download speed limits, so large video files download as fast as your internet allows.
Circle video messages themselves work the same for free and Premium users. The 60-second limit, circular format, and recording process are identical. The main benefit of Premium for video messages is the transcription feature.
Self-Destructing Video Messages
Telegram’s Secret Chats support self-destructing video messages. Here’s how it works:
- Start a Secret Chat with someone (tap their name, then “Start Secret Chat”)
- Tap the stopwatch icon to set a self-destruct timer (1 second to 1 week)
- Record and send your circle video
- After the recipient opens and views the video, the timer starts
- When the timer runs out, the video is deleted from both devices
Secret Chat video messages also have end-to-end encryption, meaning nobody (not even Telegram) can see the content except you and the recipient.
This works for all media in Secret Chats, not just video messages.
Tips for Better Video Messages
A few small things make a big difference in how your circle videos look and sound:
- Face a window or lamp. Backlighting makes you a silhouette.
- Wipe your camera lens. Smudges cause blurriness more often than you’d think.
- Hold the phone steady. Prop it against something if you can.
- Plan what you’ll say. You only have 60 seconds and there’s no editing.
- Close other apps using the microphone. If another app has the mic, Telegram can’t use it.
For longer or more polished video content, ScreenApp’s screen recorder works well for recording tutorials, and the webcam recorder handles professional video messages. You can also use the AI summarizer to pull out the main points from recorded video conversations.
8 Fixes When Video Messages Break
Most problems with Telegram video messages come down to permissions, storage, or outdated app versions. Here’s how to fix each one.
Fix 1: Camera Icon Not Showing
The microphone icon won’t switch to a camera icon. Update Telegram to the latest version from the App Store or Play Store. Older versions may not have the video message feature.
Fix 2: Recording Doesn’t Start
You press and hold the camera button but nothing happens. Go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Telegram > Permissions and make sure both Camera and Microphone are enabled. On iPhone, check Settings > Privacy > Camera and Microphone.
Fix 3: Can’t Switch to Back Camera
Look for the camera-swap icon during recording (circular arrows, usually top-right). Tap it to switch between front and rear cameras.
Fix 4: Blurry Recordings
Clean your camera lens, make sure you have good lighting, and use a Wi-Fi connection instead of mobile data. Poor internet causes Telegram to compress the video more aggressively.
Fix 5: No Sound in Video
Check that microphone permissions are on. Close any other apps that might be using the mic (voice recorders, music apps, other messaging apps).
Fix 6: Can’t Save to Gallery
Check your phone’s storage space. On Android, make sure Telegram has Storage permission. On iPhone, check that Telegram has access to Photos in Settings > Privacy.
Fix 7: Video Effects Not Available
Circle videos don’t support effects. Effects only work in Telegram’s built-in video editor for regular (non-circle) videos. This is by design — circle videos are meant to be quick and unedited.
Fix 8: General Glitches
Clear Telegram’s cache. On Android: Settings > Apps > Telegram > Storage > Clear Cache. On iPhone: Telegram Settings > Data and Storage > Storage Usage > Clear Cache. This fixes most performance issues without deleting your chats.
FAQ
How long can a Telegram video message be?
Each circle video is limited to 60 seconds. There’s no way to extend this, even with Telegram Premium. If you need to send a longer video, send it as a regular video file instead.
Can I forward a circle video?
Yes. Long-press the video message, tap “Forward,” and choose any chat or contact. The video keeps its circular format when forwarded. Some groups disable forwarding, though, so it doesn’t work everywhere.
Can I send a saved video as a circle?
No. Circle videos must be recorded live through the Telegram app. You can’t convert a pre-recorded video into a circle format natively. However, third-party bots like @TelescopyBot can convert regular videos to circle format for you.
Are circle videos encrypted?
In regular chats, they use server-client encryption (Telegram can technically access them). In Secret Chats, they use full end-to-end encryption. If privacy matters, use Secret Chats.
How much data does a circle video use?
Typically 1-3 MB per video message, depending on length and content. A 60-second circle video uses roughly 2-3 MB. This is much less than a video call, which uses data continuously.
Why is my video message not working?
The most common causes are: outdated app (update Telegram), missing permissions (enable Camera and Microphone access), full storage (free up space), or a bad internet connection (switch to Wi-Fi). See the 8 fixes section above for detailed solutions.
Can Premium users transcribe video messages?
Yes. Telegram Premium includes a voice-to-text feature that works on both voice messages and circle video messages. Tap the transcript button to read what was said.
How do I change video quality settings?
Telegram automatically adjusts video message quality based on your connection speed. There’s no manual quality selector for circle videos. For regular video files, you can choose quality settings when sending through the video editor.
Why aren’t saved videos showing in my gallery?
On Android, check the “Telegram” folder in your gallery app. On iPhone, check your Camera Roll. If videos still don’t appear, verify that Telegram has storage/photos permissions, then restart the gallery app.
How do I use the back camera for video messages?
Start recording a circle video, then tap the camera-swap icon (usually circular arrows in the corner). The view switches to the rear camera. You can switch back to the front camera the same way during recording.
Can I add effects to circle videos?
No. Circle videos are sent immediately after recording with no editing step. If you want effects, record a regular video, edit it with Telegram’s built-in editor or a third-party app, then send it as a regular video file.
How do I save circle videos on desktop?
Right-click the circle video in the chat and select “Save Video As.” Choose a location on your computer. The file saves as MP4.
For more tools to work with Telegram content, check out the Telegram voice recorder and Telegram voice AI notetaker for capturing and organizing conversations.
FAQ
Each circle video is limited to 60 seconds. There's no way to extend this, even with Telegram Premium. If you need to send a longer video, send it as a regular video file instead.
Yes. Long-press the video message, tap "Forward," and choose any chat or contact. The video keeps its circular format when forwarded. Some groups disable forwarding, though, so it doesn't work everywhere.
No. Circle videos must be recorded live through the Telegram app. You can't convert a pre-recorded video into a circle format natively. However, third-party bots like @TelescopyBot can convert regular videos to circle format for you.
In regular chats, they use server-client encryption (Telegram can technically access them). In Secret Chats, they use full end-to-end encryption. If privacy matters, use Secret Chats.
Typically 1-3 MB per video message, depending on length and content. A 60-second circle video uses roughly 2-3 MB. This is much less than a video call, which uses data continuously.
The most common causes are: outdated app (update Telegram), missing permissions (enable Camera and Microphone access), full storage (free up space), or a bad internet connection (switch to Wi-Fi). See the 8 fixes section above for detailed solutions.
Yes. Telegram Premium includes a voice-to-text feature that works on both voice messages and circle video messages. Tap the transcript button to read what was said.
Telegram automatically adjusts video message quality based on your connection speed. There's no manual quality selector for circle videos. For regular video files, you can choose quality settings when sending through the video editor.
On Android, check the "Telegram" folder in your gallery app. On iPhone, check your Camera Roll. If videos still don't appear, verify that Telegram has storage/photos permissions, then restart the gallery app.
Start recording a circle video, then tap the camera-swap icon (usually circular arrows in the corner). The view switches to the rear camera. You can switch back to the front camera the same way during recording.
No. Circle videos are sent immediately after recording with no editing step. If you want effects, record a regular video, edit it with Telegram's built-in editor or a third-party app, then send it as a regular video file.
Right-click the circle video in the chat and select "Save Video As." Choose a location on your computer. The file saves as MP4. For more tools to work with Telegram content, check out the Telegram voice recorder and Telegram voice AI notetaker for capturing and organizing conversations.
