Have you saved important messages, links or media files to Telegram “Favorites”but now you can’t find them? This problem is familiar to many users, especially after messenger updates or device changes. Unlike other applications, where “bookmarks” are usually available in the main menu, in Telegram the path to saved materials is not always obvious. Moreover, the messenger interface changes regularly, and the button moves from one section to another.

In this article you will learn not only where exactly the “Favorites” are stored in Telegram on Android, but also:

  • 🔍 How to open saved messages in 2 clicks (even if you updated the application).
  • 📱 Why a section can disappear and how to get it back without losing data.
  • 🔄 What is the difference between “Favorites” and “Saved Messages” and where to look for what.
  • 🛠️ What to do if the saved files disappeared after reinstalling Telegram.

We will look at the current methods for Telegram version 10.0+ (2026–2026), including nuances for different builds of the messenger (official, Telegram X, modified clients). If you are using an outdated version, some functions may work differently.

📊 How often do you use “Favorites” in Telegram?
Every day
Several times a week
Rarely
Never saved
I don’t know what it is

1. Where is “Favorites” located in Telegram on Android: the official way

In the latest versions Telegram the section "Favorites"** (or Saved Messages in English localization) is hidden in the side menu. Here's how to get there:

  1. Open Telegram and tap on icon "☰" (three horizontal lines) in the upper left corner.
  2. In the drop-down menu, find the item Saved messages (or Saved Messages). It is usually located below the list of chats, but above the settings.
  3. Tap on it - a dialogue with your saved materials will open.

If you have Telegram X (an alternative client from the same developers), the path is the same, but the menu icon may look like as round avatar in the upper left corner. In some assemblies, the section is called simply Favorites without mention of “messages”.

☑️ Checking access to “Favorites”

Done: 0 / 4

Important: If you do not see the item Saved messages, you may have accidentally archived this chat. To get it back:

  1. Open the side menu → Archive.
  2. Find the dialog Saved messages and swipe it left (or hold your finger and select Return).

2. Alternative ways to open “Favorites” (if the standard one does not work)

Sometimes the section disappears from the menu after updates or crashes. Here 3 working workarounds:

  • 🔎 Search in chats: Enter the query @saved or Saved messagesin the search bar (top field). The system will find the desired dialogue.
  • 📌 Through the profile: Open your profile (tap on the avatar in the menu) → Saved messages (if there is an item).
  • 🔄 Reinstallation: Delete and install Telegram again - the section will be returned automatically (the data will be saved if you log in with the same account).

Critical nuance: If you used the function Clear history in Saved messages, it will be impossible to restore deleted materials - Telegram does not store backup copies of this section on servers.

💡

Add the “Saved Messages” dialog to the main screen: hold it in the list chats and drag up. This will give you quick access without a menu.

3. How is “Favorites” different from “Saved messages”?

Many users confuse these two sections, but they work differently:

Function "Favorite" "Saved Messages"
Where is stored Locally in the chat (star next to the message) Separate dialogue @saved
How to save Hold the message → “Add to favorites” Forward the message to yourself or click "Save"
Synchronization Only on the current device On all devices with your account
Media support Any files (photos, videos, documents) Any files + links, voice

For example, if you added a message to "Favorites"** (with an asterisk), it will be visible only on this smartphone. And if you forwarded it to Saved messages the material will appear on both the PC and the tablet.

How to enable asterisks for “Favorites”

If you do not have the “Add to Favorites” option when holding a message, update Telegram to version 8.0+. In older builds, this function was called “Pin” and worked differently.

4. Why “Favorites” disappeared and how to restore it.

A section may disappear for several reasons. Here are the most common and ways to eliminate them:

  • 📱 Reset settings: If you reset your smartphone to factory settings, Saved messages will remain, but the local “Favorites” (stars) will disappear forever.
  • 🔄 Telegram update: After major updates, the section may move. Check the archive or use the search by @saved.
  • 🚫 Blocking a bot: In rare cases, system The bot @saved may be blocked. Go to Settings → Privacy → Blocked users and unblock it.
  • 📵 Synchronization error: If messages are not displayed, try logging out of your account and logging in again (without deleting the application).

Attention: If you used unofficial builds Telegram (for example, Telegram Plus or NekoX), the "Favorites" section may work differently or be absent altogether. In such cases, check the settings of the modified client or return to the official version.

💡

Local "Favorites" (stars) are not synchronized between devices. If you need to save the material for a long time, use Saved messages.

5. How to transfer “Favorites” to a new phone

If you changed your smartphone, Saved messages will be transferred automatically when you log in to Telegram. data-i="163">local “Favorites”** (stars) is more difficult - you need to export it manually: local “Favorites”** (starred) are more difficult - they need to be exported manually:

  1. On your old phone, open the chat where there are messages with asterisks.
  2. Tap on ☰ → Export history (in some versions - Save chat).
  3. Select format JSON (saves favorites) and export the file.
  4. Transfer the file to a new phone and import it through the same chat.

For Saved messages no actions are needed - they are tied to the account, not to the device. However, if you used secret chats, their history is not transferred under any circumstances (this is a feature of encryption Telegram).

📊 Have you ever lost data in Telegram?
Yes, due to a phone reset
Yes, after an update
No, everything is always in place
I don’t remember

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Users often encounter problems when working with “Favorites”. Here are the solutions: top 5 errors and solutions:

  • ❌ Deleting a chat Saved messages: If you delete this dialogue, all saved materials will be lost foreverThey cannot be restored - even through support Telegram.
  • ❌ Using asterisks for important files: Local “Favorites” are not backed up. For critical data, always send them to Saved Messages.
  • ❌ Ignoring updates: In older versions Telegram (before 7.0) “Favorites” worked differently. Update the application to avoid loss of functionality.
  • ❌ Synchronization with clouds: Some users try to save Saved messages via export. This is pointless - the data is already stored on servers. Google Drive through export. This is pointless - the data is already stored on servers Telegram.
  • ❌ Confusion with the archive: Archived chats and “Favorites” are different things. The archive hides dialogues, but does not save their contents separately.

⚠️ Attention: If you use Telegram on several devices, avoid simultaneous editing Saved messages from different gadgets. This may lead to synchronization conflicts and loss of recent changes.

7. Hidden "Favorites" features that you didn't know about

The "Favorites" section in Telegram does more than it seems. Here are 5 useful life hacks:

  • 📁 Folders for saved messages: In the settings. chat Saved Messages you can create folders (for example, “Work”, “Personal”) and sort materials by topic.
  • 🔗 Quick links: If you send a link to another chat to Saved messages it will become clickable "bookmark" for quick navigation.
  • 📅 Reminder calendar: Save the message with the date (for example, “05/15 - pay the bill”) and pin it. Telegram will show the notification at the appointed time day.
  • 🛡️ Secret storage: Send important files to Saved. messages, then delete them from the main chat The materials will remain only with you.
  • 🤖 Bots for automation: Configure a bot (for example, @SaveToCloudBot) so that it automatically saves messages based on keywords to “Favorites.”

If you actively use Saved Messages as storage, we recommend enable two-factor authentication in settings TelegramThis will protect your data even if someone gains access to the SIM card.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to restore deleted messages from “Favorites”?

No. Telegram does not store backup copies of “Favorites” (stars) and Saved messages. If you deleted the material, it is lost forever. Exception: if the message was forwarded from another chat, it can be found there.

Why are media files not displayed in “Saved messages?”

You probably disabled media autoloading in the settings. Go to Settings → Data and memory → Autoload media and enable downloading for Saved messages.

How to save a message to “Favorites” on a PC?

On the desktop version Telegram hold the message → select Save message (or click on three dots → Saved Messages). Stars (local “Favorites”) do not work in the web version.

Is it possible to make “Favorites” common for several accounts?

No. Each account Telegram has separate Saved messages. Sharing is possible only by sending materials to the general chat.

Why are some messages that I saved?

Check:

  1. If they were accidentally deleted (view the chat history).
  2. Is the chat with these messages archived.
  3. Have you used the “Clear history” function in Saved messages.

If messages were saved using an asterisk, they could disappear after reinstalling Telegram or resetting the phone.