Ever since Roskomnadzor began systematically restricting Telegram in Russia, people have been looking for any way to stay connected. First they blocked calls, then problems with confirmation codes started, then they throttled the messenger itself.
Even MAX isn’t as dangerous compared to them
While some switched to MAX, others went to Google Play and started downloading anything that resembled the familiar messenger. That’s exactly how Telegram clones ended up in the top downloads — apps that look like the original but operate by completely different rules. Some of them are even more dangerous than the notorious MAX messenger, and that’s no exaggeration.
Where Telegram Clones Came From
To understand where Telegram forks come from, you need to know one important thing: Telegram is an open-source messenger. This means any developer can take the app’s code, modify it to suit their needs, and release their own version. These versions are called forks, third-party clients, or colloquially, clones. The open-source code itself is Pavel Durov’s idea — he believes in transparency and wants anyone to be able to verify Telegram. But this coin has a flip side.
The essence of Telegram’s blocking in Russia is that Roskomnadzor restricts the messenger’s server infrastructure — throttling traffic, blocking calls, and complicating registration. It was precisely on the wave of these restrictions that third-party clients flourished: some of them promise communication features through their own servers, bypassing the blocks. Sounds tempting. But whose servers your traffic goes through — that’s the main question.
The Most Popular Telegram Forks
Currently at the top of downloads in Google Play are several alternative Telegram clients. Here are the main ones:
- Telega — the most promoted Telegram clone on Android with over 5 million downloads. It positions itself as a messenger where calls and messages work. You can download Telega from Google Play, but whether you should — we’ll analyze separately.
- Telegram X — an experimental client developed with participation from Telegram’s own creators. The only officially approved third-party client. Download Telegram X from Google Play.
- Nekogram — a fork with deep interface customization and extended folder settings. Created by independent developers, code is open-source. Download Nekogram from Google Play.
- iMe AI Messenger — a client with neural network integration, crypto wallets, and additional tools for channel management. Download iMe AI Messenger from Google Play.
All these apps have one thing in common: you log into them with your phone number and see all your old chats, channels, and message history. Your account remains the same. But that’s precisely what makes them potentially dangerous.
Why the Telega Messenger Is Dangerous
The Telega app deserves a separate discussion, as it’s not just a working Telegram fork with extra features. There are reasons to believe that VK is behind Telega — the same company that created the MAX messenger. Traces of VKontakte infrastructure were found in the APK file code, and the app’s creators are linked to VK Group projects.
Telega is considered the most dangerous Telegram clone. Image: telega.me
The main problem with the new Telega isn’t who’s behind it. The problem is its architecture: calls and messages in this app don’t go through Telegram’s servers but through Russian service infrastructure. This means all your voice and video traffic passes through a third party. Some information security experts also point out that Telega uses code obfuscation methods — this is when developers deliberately obscure the source code to make it harder to inspect. This technique is more characteristic of malicious software than an honest application.
The bottom line: what makes Telega dangerous is that it becomes a middleman between you and Telegram, through which everything you write, send, and who you communicate with can potentially leak. According to experts, this makes it more dangerous than MAX. And I agree with this, although I have serious questions about the national messenger too.
The Danger of Telegram Clones
Telega is the most prominent example, but the general problem applies to all third-party Telegram clients without exception. When you enter your phone number and confirmation code into any third-party app, at that moment you’re handing over access to your account to its developer. Not to a single chat — to your entire correspondence, all files, all history.
Telegram mods have no relation to the messenger itself. Image: telega.me
Free Telegram mods carry another risk: they don’t undergo thorough security reviews. A mod can contain hidden code for data collection, ad display, or even a virus. You install it and simply trust unknown people with everything you’ve accumulated in the messenger over the years.
It’s also worth dispelling an illusion: no Telegram mod will save you if the messenger’s server infrastructure is fully blocked. If Telegram’s servers themselves are blocked, clones will stop working just like the official app. The only exception is Telega with its own infrastructure, but paying such a price for that is hardly reasonable.
The Safest Telegram Fork
If you need the best Telegram fork and want at least some confidence in security — there’s only one choice. The Telegram X app is the only officially approved alternative messenger client. Telegram’s own developers work on it, and the code is open and available for review.
Only Telegram X is considered a safe fork. Image: telegram.org
Telegram X features largely mirror the original app but with a number of improvements: smoother animations, extended gestures, and interface experiments.
