Modern messenger Telegram has become a powerful communication tool, where the number of chats can be in the hundreds. When your feed is filled with dozens of channels and conversations, finding the information you need becomes a real problem. That is why developers have introduced the folder function, which allows you to structure the application space.
Users of Android devices often wonder how to properly organize this chaos. Creating thematic sections allows you to instantly switch between work tasks, news and personal communication, without wasting time on endless scrolling.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of creating and setting up folders directly in the mobile version of the application. You will learn about the intricacies of sorting, setting notifications and exceptions that will make using the messenger as comfortable as possible.
Why do you need to sort chats on a smartphone
The main purpose of introducing folders is to fight against information noise. Without proper structure, important messages from colleagues can get lost among memes from entertainment channels. The folder system acts as a filter, separating data streams into categories.
This is especially important for owners of Android smartphones with small screens, where fewer chats fit in the visible area. The ability to hide unnecessary dialogs in a separate tab significantly increases productivity. You open the application and immediately see only what is important at the moment.
In addition, separation helps to psychologically distinguish between personal and work space. When you're in rest mode, you don't need to see notifications from work groups if they are placed in a separate category with sounds turned off.
Step-by-step guide for creating a new folder
The process of setting up the interface in a mobile application is intuitive, but has its own nuances. To get started, you need to go to the main settings menu. Click on the icon with three stripes in the upper left corner or swipe the screen to the right.
In the menu that opens, select Settings. Next, find the section Chat folders. This is where all your configurations are stored. Click the button Create a new folder, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen or in the upper right corner in the form of a plus sign.
After clicking, the editor window will open. Here you have to give a name to the new category. The name can be anything: “Work”, “News”, “Family” or “Projects”. The name determines how this tab will be displayed at the top of the chat screen.
☑️ Algorithm for creating a folder
Selecting chats and setting exceptions
The most important stage is filling the folder with content. In the creation menu you will see two main lists: Include chats and Exclude chats. The first list determines which conversations will be displayed in a new tab by default.
You can select chats manually from the general list or use automatic categories. The system offers ready-made groups, such as “Personal Chats”, “Groups”, “Channels” or “Bots”. Selecting an entire category saves time if you want to collect absolutely all channels in one folder.
The exclusions function works like a subtle filter. Even if you've added an All Channels category to your folder, you can exclude specific sources that you don't want to see there. This allows you to create flexible structures without manually sorting through hundreds of contacts.
How does exclusion logic work?
If a chat is added to the "Include" list, but is also present in the "Exclude" list, it will NOT appear in this folder. Exceptions have priority over inclusions.
Customizing appearance and icons
The visual component plays an important role in navigation. For each created folder, you can select a unique icon. This helps to quickly identify the desired tab, especially if you have a lot of them and the names are written in small font.
Click on the field with the icon in the folder editing menu. A gallery of standard emoji and special icons proposed by the developers will open. Telegram. You can choose a folder symbol, an envelope symbol, a star symbol, or any other thematic symbol.
Color customization is also available. Although in the standard theme Android the interface adapts to system settings, inside the application you can set an accent color for a specific tab. This makes the interface more lively and personalized.
| Settings parameter | Function description | Impact on operation |
|---|---|---|
| Folder name | Tab text title | Displayed in the top navigation bar |
| Icon | Graphic symbol of the category | Helps to visually distinguish the section |
| Enabled chats | List of dialogs for display | Defines the main content of the tab |
| Exceptions | Chats hidden from the general selection | Allows you to remove unnecessary items from the category |
Managing notifications for different categories
One of the most useful features of folders is the ability to manage them globally sound signals. You can configure the behavior of notifications for the entire category at once, without going into the settings of each individual chat.
In the folder editing menu, find the switch Disable notifications. If you activate this option, all chats in this folder will stop making sounds and vibrating when receiving new messages. They will simply update in the background.
This is ideal for folders with news channels or entertainment content. You can log in and read what you have accumulated whenever you have time, without being distracted by constant beeps throughout the day. In this case, important personal chats will remain with sound in another tab.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling notifications for a folder does not delete chats from it or archive them. The messages keep coming, but the phone just doesn't make a sound. You will see a red counter of unread messages on the tab icon.
Tip: Create an "Important" folder and add only key work chats and family there. Turn on the sound for it, and for all other folders (news, blogs) turn off notifications completely. This way you will never miss an urgent message.
Sorting tabs and display order
When there are several folders, the order in which they appear in the top panel is important. By default, the new tab is added to the end of the list, but you can change this position at any time.
To change the order, return to the menu Chat folders in settings. There you will see a list of all the categories you have created. Press and hold your finger on the name of the folder you want to move, and then drag it to the desired location in the list.
The first tab always remains general (“All chats”), unless you have hidden it in the privacy settings. The remaining tabs follow in the order you specified. It is most logical to put the most used category in first place after “All chats,” for example, “Work” or “Favorites.”
⚠️ Attention: The application interface may vary slightly depending on the version Android and the specific build Telegram. If you do not find an item, check for application updates on Google Play.
Common problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where created folders are not displayed or do not work correctly. Most often, the problem lies in the fact that the tab is simply hidden or not activated to display in the main menu.
Check whether you have added at least one chat to the new folder. Empty folders may be automatically hidden by the system or not appear in the switch list. Also make sure that you have not disabled the display of tabs in the general interface settings.
If the chat has disappeared from the folder, check the list of exceptions. You may have accidentally added an important conversation to the blacklist of this category. Removing a chat from exceptions will instantly return it to its place.
Folders in Telegram are synchronized between all devices. Once you set them up on Android, you will automatically see the same structure on your computer and tablet.
Is it possible to create a folder without adding chats?
Technically, you can create an empty folder, but it will not appear in the list of tabs at the top until you add at least one chat or bot to it. The system hides empty categories to save space.
How many folders can you create in Telegram?
The limit on the number of folders is quite large and is 10 for free users. This is quite enough for any complex structure for organizing chats.
What will happen to the chat if you delete a folder?
Deleting a folder does not lead to deleting the chats or correspondence themselves. The dialogues will simply return to the general "All chats" feed or remain in other folders where they were added.
How to hide the "All chats" tab?
Go to the folder settings and find the "Hide All chats" option. By activating it, you will see only your thematic folders, which is useful when there are a very large number of dialogs.