Strikethrough text in Telegram is not just a stylistic device, but a powerful tool for highlighting corrections, jokes or hidden information. On Androiddevices, many users are faced with a problem: how to quickly apply this formatting without wasting time searching for the right button? Unlike the desktop version, where the interface is more visual, the mobile application requires knowledge of hidden gestures and syntax.
In this article we will examine all current methods creating strikethrough text - from standard formatting through the menu to using Markdown even little-known tricks for experienced users. You'll learn how this works in private chats, groups, and channels, and why strikethroughs sometimes don't apply (and how to fix it). Particular attention is paid Android 13-15where the interface Telegram has undergone changes.
1. Standard method: through the formatting panel
The most obvious method is to use the built-in toolbar. It is suitable for most users, but has limitations: it only works in the message editing mode to sending it.
How to do it:
- 📝 Start printing a message in any chat.
- 🔍 Select a piece of text, which you want to cross out (hold your finger on the word and move the markers).
- 🎨 In the panel that appears, click on the icon "Tt" (text formatting).
- ✏️ In the menu, select
Strikethrough(usually this is the third or fourth icon, depending on the version of the application).
If the icon Strikethrough is missing, then your version Telegram is outdated. Update the application via Google Play or the official website. Some firmwares (for example, Xiaomi with a shell MIUImay require additional permission to display the toolbar.
Update Telegram to the latest version|Make sure the text is selected correctly|Check if gestures are disabled in keyboard settings|Restart the application if the panel does not appear-->
⚠️ Attention: In some versions Telegram for Android the formatting panel is hidden when the screen is in landscape orientation. Rotating the device to portrait mode will return it to its place.
2. Using Markdown: syntax for the experienced
If you prefer quick formatting without extra clicks, Markdown is your best assistant. This method works in both mobile and desktop versions, as well as in bots. The main thing is to know the correct syntax.
To strike through text using Markdown:
- Enter
~double tilde~before and after a fragment of text. Example:This is ~~strikethrough~~ text - Send a message - the text will be automatically converted.
Important: Markdown v Telegram is sensitive to spaces. If there is an extra character between the tilde and the word, the formatting will not work. Also, this method does not work in captions for media files (photos, videos) is only in regular text messages.
| Syntax | Input example | Result |
|---|---|---|
~~text~~ |
Price ~~1000~~ 800 rub. |
Price |
~single tilde~ |
~doesn't work~ |
~doesn't work~ (no effect) |
~~text with space~~ |
~~ hello ~~ |
~~ hello ~~ (no effect) |
If strikethrough is not applied, check whether Markdown is disabled in the chat settings. To do this, go to Chat Settings → Text Formatting and enable the option Allow Markdown.
3. Strikethrough text in bots and channels
In bots and channels Telegram formatting rules are slightly different. Here Markdown works differently, and the toolbar may be limited.
For bots:
- 🤖 Use
MarkdownV2orHTML-markup in the bot code. Example forMarkdownV2:bot.send_message(chat_id, "Price ~~1000~~ 800 rub.", parse_mode="MarkdownV2") - ⚙️ Make sure formatting is enabled in the bot settings (parameter
parse_mode).
For channels:
- 📢 Administrators can use
~~text~~directly when publishing a post. - 🔗 In some versions Telegram strikethrough in channels only works through the web version or desktop application.
⚠️ Attention: If you administer a channel through a mobile application and strikethrough is not applied, try sending a post via Telegram Web (web.telegram.org There is support Markdown more stable.
4. Alternative methods: copying and clipboard
If standard methods do not work (for example, due to bugs in a specific version Telegram), you can use a workaround:
- 📋 Write the text in any text editor (for example Google Docs or Notepad++) and apply strikethrough there.
- 📱 Copy the formatted text.
- 📤 Paste it into Telegram. In most cases, the formatting will be preserved.
This method does not always work, since Telegram it may "reset" styles when pasted. However, it is useful for complex messages with several types of formatting (for example, bold strikethrough italic).
Why is formatting reset?
Telegram uses its own text rendering engine, which ignores some HTML tags and styles from other editors. If you copy text from Word or Pages, there is a high chance that the strikethrough will disappear. It is better to use simple editors like Notepad++ or VS Code with Markdown support.
More. one life hack: if you often use strikethrough text, create template in your phone notes. For example:
~~strikethrough text~~And just copy it if necessary.
5. Problems and solutions: why strikethrough does not work
Sometimes users are faced with the fact that strikethrough is not applied despite the correct actions. Let's consider the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The strikethrough icon is missing in the panel | Outdated version of Telegram | Update the application on Google Play |
| Markdown does not work in the channel | Restrictions on administrator rights | Use the web version or desktop |
| The text is not completely strikethrough | Extra spaces in the syntax | Remove spaces between ~~ and text |
| Formatting is reset when editing | Bug in the current version | Reinstall Telegram |
If none of the methods helped, check:
- 🔄 Is economy mode enabled traffic (may block loading styles).
- 🛠️ Are modified versions of Telegram installed (for example, Telegram X or forks).
- 📱 Are system fonts disabled in the Android settings (found on custom firmware).
Through the formatting panel|Markdown (~~text~~)|Copying from other editors|I don’t use strikethrough-->
6. Additional tricks: formatting combinations
Strikethrough text can be combined with other styles to create unique effects:
- 🔥 Bold strikethrough:
~~text~~→ ~~text~~ - 🌟 Italic strikethrough:
~~text~~→ ~~text~~ - 🎨 Bold italic strikethrough:
~~text~~→ ~~text~~ - 🔗
Link in strikethrough text:~~[text](https://example.com)~~→ ~~text~~
These combinations are useful for:
- 📊 Comparing old and new prices in stores.
- 🗓️ Canceled events (for example, ~~the conference has been postponed~~).
- 🤣 Jokes and memes (for example, ~~that was a bad idea~~).
⚠️ Attention: Too complex combinations (for example, three or more nesting levels) may not be displayed correctly in older versions of Telegram or on devices with low screen resolution.
For stable operation of combined formatting, use no more than two styles at a time (for example, bold + strikethrough).
7. Strikethrough in other messengers: comparison with Telegram
To complete the picture, let’s compare how strikethrough is implemented. in other popular instant messengers on Android:
| Messenger | Support for strikethrough | Method of application |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | ~text~ (single tilde) |
|
| Viber | No | — |
| Signal | Yes | Through the formatting panel |
| Discord | Yes | ~~text~~ (as in Telegram) |
As you can see, Telegram is not unique in supporting strikethrough, but its implementation is one of the most flexible. For example, WhatsApp uses a single tilde, which can be confusing for users accustomed to Markdown.
Interesting fact: in Telegram strikethrough works even in message voices (if the text is attached to audio) and in pollswhereas in WhatsApp it is available only in regular texts.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about crossed out text in Telegram
❓ Is it possible to cross out text in an already sent message?
Yes, but with reservations you can edit message (hold your finger on it → "Edit") and apply a strikethrough through the formatting bar or Markdown. However, if the message is older than 48 hours, editing will not be available.
❓ Why in some chats strikethrough does not work?
Probable reasons:
- 🔒 The chat administrator has disabled formatting (found in corporate groups).
- 📱 You are using an outdated version of Telegram (update the application).
- 🤖 The chat is with a bot that does not support
Markdown.
❓ Is it possible to cross out part of a word?
Yes, but only through Markdown. Example:
IncorrectResult: Incorrect. Such precision cannot be achieved in the formatting panel - it only works with whole words.
❓ Is strikethrough saved when rewriting a message to another chat?
No. When copying a message with strikethrough text to another chat, the formatting is reset. movement Telegramrelated to the processing of message metadata.
❓ Are there hotkeys for strikethrough on Android?
On Android there are no hotkeys, but you can:
- 🔄 Use gestures: double tap on a word → select "Format" → "Strikethrough".
- 📌 Add a strikethrough button to the quick access panel (in some custom keyboards, for example Gboard with plugins).