How to Fix High Battery and Data Usage on Telegram

In this article, we’ll explore how to fix high battery and data usage on Telegram using simple and effective methods. If you’ve ever noticed your phone heating up or your data package depleting quickly after using Telegram, you’re not alone. Telegram is a powerful and feature-rich messaging app, but its advanced capabilities—such as auto-downloading media, constant background activity, and cloud-based synchronization—can lead to excessive battery drain and data consumption. Knowing how to manage these settings not only helps improve your device’s performance, but also saves you money and extends battery life throughout the day.

Understanding the Problem

Telegram is designed to be fast and always connected, but that comes with trade-offs. Features like automatic media downloads, high-frequency background sync, and persistent notifications can place a heavy load on both your battery and data usage.

Why Does Telegram Use So Much Battery?

Telegram runs background services to constantly check for new messages, media, and notifications. It also allows users to send high-quality media files, which consume more processing power and energy.

Why Is Telegram Consuming Too Much Data?

Auto-download settings for photos, videos, GIFs, and voice notes—especially in group chats and channels—are the biggest culprits. Users often don’t realize how much data is being consumed in the background.

If your Telegram is feeling sluggish or overloaded, managing your storage can be a smart move. One effective way to reduce background load and free up space is learning how to delete everything in Telegram. This not only helps minimize unnecessary syncing and cache buildup, but also improves performance and reduces battery drain—especially on devices with limited memory.

How to Fix High Battery and Data Usage on Telegram

Below are practical steps you can follow to reduce both battery drain and data consumption when using Telegram:

1. Disable Auto-Download for Media

Go to Settings > Data and Storage > Automatic Media Download and turn off auto-download for mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming. You can customize this for private chats, groups, and channels. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce Telegram’s data usage.

Another way to improve performance while using Telegram is by customizing your interface to suit your preferences. You can Build a Theme with Telegram’s Theme Bot, which not only enhances the visual experience but can also lead to better readability and reduced eye strain—especially when switching to darker themes that are easier on AMOLED screens. While this doesn’t directly affect data usage, it complements other optimization efforts, like managing automatic downloads.

2. Limit Background Activity

On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Telegram > Battery and choose “Restricted” or “Optimize” to prevent unnecessary background activity. On iOS, head to Settings > Telegram > Background App Refresh and turn it off. This greatly helps reduce battery drain.

3. Use Telegram Lite (Android Only)

Telegram offers a Lite version of the app on Android that consumes fewer resources. If you’re dealing with an older phone or a limited data plan, switching to Telegram Lite could significantly improve performance.

4. Adjust Sync Frequency and Notifications

Disable or reduce the frequency of push notifications, especially for inactive channels or groups. Go to Settings > Notifications and Sounds, and turn off unnecessary alerts. This reduces screen wake-ups and battery consumption.

5. Delete Cached Media

Telegram stores all media in cache to speed up loading times. To clear it:
Settings > Data and Storage > Storage Usage > Clear Cache.
This not only saves storage space but also minimizes background syncing activity that can drain your battery.

Bonus Tips to Improve Efficiency

Here are a few additional tips for power users looking to further reduce Telegram’s impact on battery and data:

Use Dark Mode

Using Telegram’s Dark Mode can save battery, especially on AMOLED screens.

Set Data-Saving Preferences

In Settings > Data and Storage > Use Less Data, enable options like “Low” or “Medium” to reduce overall bandwidth usage for calls and media.

Avoid Using Telegram Web Constantly

If you use Telegram Web or Desktop with syncing enabled, your phone may continue syncing in the background. Close these instances when not in use to preserve energy.

Conclusion

Telegram’s rich features can take a toll on your phone’s battery and data, but with a few quick adjustments, you can control these issues without sacrificing performance. From disabling auto-download to managing background activity and notifications, these steps empower you to use Telegram more efficiently. With smarter usage, you’ll enjoy better battery life, reduced data consumption, and a smoother overall experience.