Telegram Moves Advanced Message Formatting to Premium in Android Beta

Telegram has begun restricting advanced message formatting to Premium subscribers in the 12.9 beta version for Android. Previously available to all users, this feature now prompts non-subscribers with a limitation message when they attempt to send richly formatted messages.

While the advanced formatting editor remains accessible to all users, only Premium subscribers can actually send messages using features like headings, quotes, code blocks, footers, bulleted and numbered lists, checklists, and collapsible blocks in the latest beta.

The editor also allows attaching photos, audio, and geolocation to messages. Premium users gain access to exclusive emojis, further distinguishing their messages from those of standard users.

On Android, the editor retains an AI assistant button that lets users generate entire messages using neural networks — a feature that was previously removed from the iOS version. This gives Android users a unique tool for composing content directly in the chat interface.

Advanced formatting was first introduced in Telegram version 12.8, which added Markdown support with tables, formulas, and quotes, though this functionality was initially limited to bots. With the latest beta, Telegram appears to be moving toward making advanced formatting a Premium-only feature if the change is implemented in the stable release.

Telegram Premium, launched in summer 2022, already offers higher limits, voice message transcription, exclusive reactions, and ad removal in large channels. Restricting advanced formatting could add another incentive for users to subscribe.

If this limitation becomes permanent, will advanced formatting be enough to convince more users to upgrade to Premium, or will it hurt the app's usability for everyone else?