Telegram Opens Stories Feature to All Users Without Subscription

• February 8, 2026

Telegram has expanded access to its Stories feature, allowing all users to post Stories without requiring a paid subscription. First introduced in July 2023, the Stories format draws inspiration from similar features on platforms like Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.

Stories Now Available for Free on Telegram

When Telegram launched Stories last year, this functionality was limited exclusively to users subscribed to Telegram Premium. This paywall restricted content creation within the Stories format, which enables users to share temporary multimedia updates that disappear after a set period.

As of early 2026, Telegram has removed these barriers, permitting all users to publish Stories at no cost. This change aligns Telegram more closely with other social media services that offer Stories as a standard feature for every account holder, rather than a premium benefit.

The Stories feature enhances Telegram’s suite of communication tools by supporting ephemeral posts, which can offer users a casual and timely way to share moments without cluttering their main chat histories. By broadening access, Telegram hopes to encourage greater user engagement and content sharing within the platform.

While no additional details on new functionalities or limitations of Stories were disclosed, making the feature widely accessible simplifies the user experience and potentially increases Telegram’s competitiveness among messaging and social platforms.

This move reflects a trend in the messaging app market, where incorporating social media-like features such as Stories has become a common strategy to maintain user interest and encourage active daily participation.

Telegram has made its Stories feature freely accessible to all users, removing the previous Premium subscription requirement.