Many users switching from Telegram to Telegram X discover that Telegram X appears to lack a “video call” feature. This is probably true because Telegram X is different from the main app and lacks some of its features.
But why doesn’t the official Telegram X app offer full video calling support, unlike the standard Telegram app? Driven by this curiosity, I looked into the reasons why—and, while I was at it, searched for a way to make video calls on Telegram X.
Why can’t Video Call on Telegram X?
Telegram X was built as an experimental, high-performance alternative to the main Telegram app. It uses a different framework (TDLib), which makes it faster, smoother, and more lightweight—but also means:
- Sacrificing some functionality for faster operation
- Development priorities differ
- Stability sometimes comes before feature parity
Video calling, especially encrypted and high-quality video calling, is a complex feature. The standard version of the Telegram APP was developed in 2013, but video calling functionality wasn’t added until seven years later, in 2020. Telegram X, released in 2017, was positioned from the outset as a completely new model for chat applications, rather than a traditional chat function. Therefore, the video chat function in Telegram has never been launched on Telegram X.
Can You Video Call on Telegram X at All?
The answer is: the current Telegram X APK is not suitable. I know users choose Telegram X because of its smoother interface compared to the original Telegram, so we can explore some alternatives.
Method 1: Use Telegram X’s calling function
If you just want to communicate with your friend by voice and don’t necessarily need to see them in person, you can use the call function.
- Open Telegram X
- Navigate to Your Contact: Find the person you want to video call in your contacts or chats list.
- Tap the username in the upper right corner.
- Tap the phone icon in the upper right corner. You can then start a voice call with your friend.
While this method doesn’t allow video calls with friends on Telegram X, it’s the simplest way, requires no additional app downloads, and is perfectly secure.
Method 2: Switch to the Official Telegram App
If your goal is simple—just make a video call—this is the fastest solution.
Steps:
- Install the standard Telegram app
- Open the Application: Launch Telegram and log in with your phone number.
- Open a chat
- Initiate the Video Call: You should tap on the phone icon in the upper right corner of the chat interface, then select “Video Call” from the menu that appears.
- Wait for Connection: The application will ring the recipient, and once they accept, your video call will begin. You’ll see your own video feed in a small window and the other person’s feed in the main display.
- During the Call: You can switch between front and rear cameras, mute your microphone, or turn off your video feed as needed. The interface typically includes these controls at the bottom of the screen.
- Ending the Call: To finish your conversation, tap the red end call button, usually located at the bottom center of the screen.
This method allows you to securely make a video call, but you’ll need to install an additional app. If your phone has enough storage space, you can try this method. Fortunately, Telegram can be used simultaneously with Telegram X.
Method 3: Telegram X MOD APK
If you want to continue enjoying the speed and smoothness of Telegram X, but don’t want to install another Telegram app for video calls, you can download the Telegram X mod APK.
Telegram’s official code is open source, allowing users to modify it. The Telegram x Mod APK is based on this official code, and some applications can balance smoothness and video calling.
If you want to use it on Android, you can download:
- Nicegram
- Plus Messenger
- Graph Messenger
They can all effectively simulate the features of Telegram X Android.
If you wish to use this type of application on a PC, you can download the following client:
- Unigram
- Kotatogram
Telegram X does not have an official PC version. The Telegram X application was specifically designed for Android mobile devices and doesn’t exist as a standalone desktop application. These two apps are relatively well-known PC versions of Telegram X.
Disadvantages:
Although this utilizes official code, it is ultimately not an official application; therefore, unknown risks may still exist. Please use with caution.
Method 4: Wait for Official Updates
Telegram X development has slowed compared to the main app, but it hasn’t completely stopped.
There’s always a chance that Video calling could be added later
However, if you’re waiting for this feature specifically, you might be waiting a long time. No one knows when the official video calling feature will go live.
FAQ
Q: Is Telegram X APK better than the official version?
A: It can be faster and smoother, but it lacks some features—especially video calls.
Q: Can I record Telegram video calls?
A: Telegram doesn’t have a built-in call recording feature. However, you can use screen recording tools available on your Android device to capture video calls. Important: Always obtain consent from all participants before recording any conversation, as privacy laws vary by jurisdiction, and recording without consent may be illegal in some regions.
Q: How do I switch from video call to voice call during a conversation?
A: During a video call, simply tap the camera icon to disable your video feed while continuing the audio conversation. This is useful when you need privacy temporarily or want to conserve bandwidth. You can re-enable video at any time by tapping the camera icon again.
Q: What should I do if my video call quality is poor?
A: If you’re experiencing lag, stuttering, or poor video quality:
- Check your internet connection speed
- Switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi if possible
- Close other applications running in the background
- Reduce video quality in the call settings
- Restart the Telegram application
- Ensure your device has sufficient storage space and memory available
Personal Evaluation and Final Thoughts
I believe that Telegram X far surpasses the original Telegram in terms of appearance, performance, and speed—it is just a pity that it lacks certain features.
If video calling is important to you, Telegram X alone isn’t enough. You had better choose another method. If video calling isn’t a particularly important feature for you—or if even voice calls are sufficient to meet your needs—then Telegram X is, without a doubt, the most suitable choice.
My recommendation, Use Telegram X for what it does best, and rely on the official Telegram app for communication features like video calls.