Creating a menu in Telegram on Android: a complete guide

Developing a user interface inside the messenger is not just a technical task, but a way to manage the attention of your audience. Channel owners and bot creators are often faced with the need to structure content so that subscribers do not get lost in the flow of information. The question how to make a menu in telegrams in Russian Androidbecomes especially relevant for those who want to automate sales or customer support directly in the application.

It is worth immediately clarifying an important point: the application itself Telegram on an Android smartphone does not have a built-in function for creating buttons under out-of-the-box messages for regular users. This is a tool that is implemented through creation bot or use Inline buttons. The messenger interface only allows you to view these elements, and their generation occurs on the server side or through special constructors.

The process of setting up navigation may seem complicated to a beginner, but in practice it comes down to a few logical steps. You don't have to be a programmer to implement interactive elements into your project. Modern services and API platforms allow you to design a convenient navigation system that will work equally well on both iOS and devices running Android.

Understanding menu architecture in the messenger

Before proceeding with practical implementation, it is necessary to understand the types of controls that the platform supports. The menu in Telegram is not a static picture, but a dynamic object that responds to clicks. There are two main ways to organize navigation: through commands and through interactive buttons. Understanding the difference between them is critical to choosing the right strategy.

Commands are text triggers starting with a slash, such as /start or /help. They appear in a special input field next to the keyboard when the user starts typing in a chat with the bot. This is a classic method that has been used for decades and works stably on all versions of the operating system Android. However, this approach requires the user to know the list of commands or have hints.

Keyboards are a more modern and convenient solution. They are divided into two types: ReplyKeyboard (keyboard replacing the standard input panel) and InlineKeyboard (buttons built directly into the body of the message). The second option looks more aesthetically pleasing and allows you to create complex multi-level structures without taking up extra space on the smartphone screen.

⚠️ Attention: InlineKeyboard type buttons are not visible if the message was sent on behalf of a regular user. They work exclusively in conjunction with bots or in modes where the message is sent on behalf of the service.

The choice of menu type depends on the goals of your project. If you need to quickly switch between catalog sections, built-in buttons are a better option. If the goal is for the user to always have access to the main functions, even when scrolling through the correspondence history, then it is worth using a permanent keyboard. A competent combination of these tools creates a feeling of complete applications inside the messenger.

Registration and basic setup of a bot

The foundation for creating any interactive menu is a bot. Without it, it is impossible to implement the functionality of the buttons. Registration takes place through the official bot BotFather, which is the main management tool in the Telegram ecosystem. This process is free and takes only a few minutes, even if you perform it from a phone based Android.

First, find your account in the messenger search @BotFather and click the “Run” button or send a command /start. The system will prompt you to create a new bot using the command /newbot. You will need to come up with a unique name that will be displayed in the contact list, and a username that must end with bot. This is a technical requirement of the platform that cannot be circumvented.

After successful creation, you will receive API Token. This is a long string of characters that serves as the access key to control your bot Never give this token to third partiesas it gives full control over the bot, including the ability to read correspondence and change settings. Save it in a safe place, for example, in a password manager or protected notes.

At this stage, the bot already exists, but it is “empty” and cannot respond to user actions. To bring it to life and add a menu, you'll need to connect a third-party service or write your own code. For most users who do not have programming skills, the optimal solution will be visual designers that take care of all the technical part of interaction with the API.

Using bot constructors without code

The modern market offers many solutions that allow you to create a complex menu without writing a line of code. These services work on the principle of a visual editor: you drag blocks, link them together and configure reactions to clicks. Connecting such a constructor to your bot is carried out through a previously received one. Popular platforms, such as API Token.

Popular platforms such as PuzzleBot, SendPulse or BotFather (in terms of basic commands), provide an intuitive interface. After registering with the service and entering a token, you get access to the script editor. Here you can create a main menu, add the items “About Us”, “Catalogue”, “Contacts” and attach corresponding actions to them.

In designers, buttons are usually configured in the “Keyboards” or “Menu” section. You can choose the display type: permanent keyboard or buttons below the message. For each element, the label text and the action that will follow when clicked are specified. An action could be sending a text, a picture, following a link, or launching another script.

⚠️ Attention: Free plans for constructors often have limits on the number of users or messages per month. If your project begins to grow, the menu functionality may be blocked until the subscription is paid.

The advantage of using ready-made solutions is the speed of deployment. You can assemble a working menu prototype in 15-20 minutes directly from the screen of your smartphone or tablet. In addition, such services often include analytics that allow you to track which menu items are clicked most often, which helps optimize the navigation structure in the future.

Setting up a permanent keyboard (Reply Keyboard)

A permanent keyboard is one of the most effective ways to hold the user's attention. It is fixed at the bottom of the screen, replacing the standard text input keyboard, and remains visible throughout the entire communication session. This is especially convenient for mobile devices on Android, where screen space is limited.

To activate this mode, you must select the keyboard type in the bot settings (via the designer or code). ReplyKeyboardMarkup. An important parameter here is the flag resize_keyboard. If you set it to true, the buttons will automatically adjust to the screen size, taking up the optimal space and not requiring extra scrolling. This greatly improves the user experience.

You can customize the behavior of the keyboard so that it disappears when necessary. For this, the parameter one_time_keyboardis used. If enabled, the keyboard will disappear the first time the user presses the button. This is useful for scenarios where the menu is needed only once, for example, when selecting a language or product category.

The structure of the buttons in such a keyboard is organized in rows. You can place multiple buttons in one row or stretch one button across the entire width of the screen. It is recommended not to overload the interface: the optimal number of buttons in a row is two or three, so that it is convenient for the finger to hit the target area on the touch display.

Creating interactive buttons under message

Built-in buttons (Inline Buttons) provide a more flexible and beautiful navigation option. They are part of the message itself, allowing you to create complex interfaces similar to web pages. Such buttons do not overlap the text input field, which gives the user the opportunity to communicate and use the menu at the same time.

The main feature of inline buttons is that when you click on them, the message is not sent to the chat. Instead, the bot receives a click signal and can edit the current message by replacing the text or button composition. This allows you to implement the logic of an “infinite” menu, where going to a subsection changes the contents of the original post, rather than creating a new bunch of messages.

Customizing such buttons requires a little more attention to detail. Each button must have a unique name and an action. Actions can be of two types: opening an external link (for example, to a company website) or sending callback request to a bot. The second option is used for internal navigation through the sections of the bot.

When designing a menu for Android it is worth considering the screen size. Button names that are too long can be moved to the second line, disrupting the layout. Try to formulate names briefly and succinctly. Also remember that you can place no more than 8 buttons in one row, and up to 100 in total in a message, although in practice it is better to limit yourself to 5-10 elements for convenience.

The technical implementation through code is as follows. You create an array of buttons and attach it to the message when sending:

keyboard = [
[InlineKeyboardButton("Catalog", callback_data="catalog")],
[InlineKeyboardButton("About us", callback_data="about"), InlineKeyboardButton("Contacts", callback_data="contacts")]
]
reply_markup = InlineKeyboardMarkup(keyboard)
bot.send_message(chat_id, "Select section:", reply_markup=reply_markup)

Using such buttons makes the interface cleaner and more professional. The user feels like they are interacting with a thoughtful service, and not just a text chat. This increases trust in the brand and increases conversion to targeted actions.

⚠️ Attention: Telegram application interfaces and APIs are regularly updated. The functionality of the buttons can be expanded, so always check the official documentation for developers if you are creating a solution yourself.

What is Callback Data?

This is a hidden parameter that is passed to the bot when the button is pressed. The user does not see it, but the bot reads it and understands what action needs to be performed (for example, show a product with ID 123).

Table of comparison of navigation types

To make an informed decision about what type of menu to implement in your project, it is useful to compare their characteristics in a calm environment. Below is a summary table that will help you determine the best option for your tasks.

Characteristics	Text commands	Reply Keyboard	Inline Buttons
Visibility	Only when entering /	Always below screen	Inside messages
Convenience on Android	Medium (needs to type)	High (one touch)	Very high
Ability to edit	No	Only replacing the entire keyboard	Yes, dynamic change
Setting complexity	Low	Average	High
Aesthetics	Minimalistic	Standard	Professional

Analysis of the table shows that for simple information bots, commands or a simple keyboard are sufficient. However, for online stores, support services or complex services they become indispensable Inline Buttons. They allow you to create multi-level structures where the user can drill down into details without cluttering the chat history with unnecessary messages.

Often the best solution is a hybrid approach. You can use a permanent keyboard for the main sections (Home, Profile, Trash), and inside sections use inline buttons for detailed navigation. This combination provides maximum flexibility and ease of use on any device.

Frequently asked questions and problem solving

When setting up the menu, users often encounter common difficulties. Below are answers to the most popular questions that will help you avoid common mistakes and quickly launch your project.

Why are the buttons not displayed on my Android?

Most often, the problem lies in the fact that the buttons were configured as Inline, but were sent as a regular message, and not through a bot. Make sure that the message is sent with the parameter reply_markup. Also check if the keyboard is hidden in the chat settings (sometimes users accidentally swipe it).

Is it possible to make a menu for a regular channel without a bot?

You cannot directly add clickable buttons under posts in a channel. However, you can use the Attach Link feature to text or a word in a post. For a full-fledged menu with buttons, you will have to create a bot that will duplicate posts from the channel or serve as an entry point for subscribers.

How to change the text on a button without rebuilding the bot?

If you are using the designer, just go to the editor, change the name of the button and save the changes. If you write the code yourself, you will need to update the variable with the name of the button and rerun the script or apply changes on the fly if your bot architecture allows it.

Is it safe to use third-party constructors?

Using trusted services is safe, but remember that you are passing them an access token. This gives them the technical ability to control the bot. Do not use dubious free services for projects that work with sensitive user data or financial transactions.

Is it possible to add pictures to menu buttons?

In the standard Telegram API, buttons support only text. You cannot add an icon or image directly to a button. However, you can use emoji to visually separate items, which makes the menu more vivid and understandable.