Download Chat-Log

[stefan-niedermann]

As a User i want to be able to download a log from a conversation with another user or a groupconversation.

I think the API does not offer this functionallity, but maybe there could be a button which asks (similar to scrolling top) for alle messages until a defined time has passed or maybe all.

The output could be any format like JSON or XML, imho the best option would be HTML (like Pidgin saves Protocols).

[Innomen]

FWIW There are several of us over here that agree.

https://github.com/DrKLO/Telegram/issues/384

[zippl]

(I just copy my words from a similar request in hope to get it more attention...)

Having almost a full year or daily personal conversations and over thousand pictures shared in single conversations i am stunned this feature is still scarcely discussed at all... But instead, regularly sticker updates... to make it feel someone is working on the app.

I would love to recommend telegram to others, but the lack of this essential feature as well as the (for me) unsatisfying way it is treated (even at all...) from official side has severe impact on their self-claimed image of transparency and responsibility in general.

I am still full of hope though, as the app is quiet young. In any case i would like to see at least a discussion about this feature by official side and (!) in their own FAQ-list...

And yes, i would even pay for this feature.. (and then, after saving my own property, deleting the app until they offer this feature by default.)

[daniele-orlando]

+1 for this feature.

[stefan-niedermann]

I think Telegram-Pruple (Plug-In for libpurble, e. g. Pidgin) provides the funcitonality to crawl all historic messages on first-run-start-up.

[cagatayldzz]

+1

[Innomen]

"stefan-niedermann I think Telegram-Pruple (Plug-In for libpurble, e. g. Pidgin) provides the funcitonality to crawl all historic messages on first-run-start-up."

Looking into the releases it says: "This is the bundle for the Adium messenger, for regular Pidgin please clone this repository and build it from source."

I definitely don't know how to do that hehe. Still it's nice to see we are getting close.

[zhukov]

The most recent version of the app has print version styles. So you can now load the messages you want to export and press Ctrl + P (Cmd + P on Mac) and export it as PDF. What do you guys think about it?

[Innomen]

I don't see that function anywhere. But it would still be useless to me if I have to manually load all my messages.

[psamim]

For backup, you can use this script, it saves conversations as a CSV file or a sqlite database. https://github.com/psamim/telegram-cli-backup

[daniele-orlando]

@psamim Thanks.

[UnoSD]

I would really love this feature, too, I am building a message downloader using TLSharp, I will share it on GitHub when it's ready, but I would really like the support in the original app. I'm not even sure I will be able to download pictures/audio.

[Innomen]

@UnoSD Please do! And link us! even text only archiving would be extremely useful.

It boggles my mind that simple logging and spell checking is not built in while at the same time they continue down the bots and stickers rabbit hole.

Clearly a deviation from the stated design philosophy in my view.

https://core.telegram.org/tsi/feature_philosophy

((relevance for the project + UX improvement — added complexity) / speed impact x development time)

You simply can't make a solid argument that neglecting things like a simple log, and spell check, and multiple windows, and user specific backgrounds, are more complex and less important than bots and yet another rounds of sticker refinements.

/smh

[UnoSD]

@Innomen I was testing yesterday, hopefully I'll have some time today to tidy it up and push it to the repo: https://github.com/UnoSD/TgMsgSharp Unfortunately the library I'm using is not really mature so I need to put workaround in places to make sure I get all the messages.

I agree, but my guess is that they are following the stream and unfortunately people prefer useless stickers to functional features.

[Innomen]

@UnoSD "hopefully I'll have some time today to tidy it up and push it to the repo:"

Awesome, no rush, I've been waiting years. :)

"following the stream and unfortunately people prefer useless stickers to functional features."

I'm curious what metric they are using to determine that.

It would be simple to push a poll to all users. /shrugs

[UnoSD]

I just pushed the draft of the message downloader, apologies if it doesn't work straightaway, I have just tested it with my credentials which, of course, are not in Git. It can be used with personal ApiId/ApiKey or you can probably just use the one from the TLSharp project which I used. I might have more time tomorrow to tide it up a bit more and make sure it works without the credential file.

[zippl]

Any news about proper implementation? When will we be able/allowed to save/export our property?

If you can "delete chat" with one button, why "export chat" is such a big issue? (Just technical question. About "morals" its clear that they want a "lock-in" system...)

[swinterstein]

It would be great to hear if we can expect a exportable chat log anytime soon (including the media). If at least Webogram would provide this feature, it would be a major plus.

I'm really fond of Telegram, but this is the one major issue that is keeping me from switching from WhatsApp entirely.

[q587p]

It will be very nice to have this feature.

[arkhi]

Since Telegram now offers the possibility to download archives of conversations, shouldn’t this issue be closed?

[Innomen]

Since Telegram now offers the possibility to download archives of conversations, shouldn’t this issue be closed?

It would seem so, I guess any problem aspects of the process itself could be separate tickets later if need be.