Short answer: To manage reactions on a Telegram channel, open the channel profile and go to Edit > Reactions. There you can allow all reactions, allow only the ones you pick, or turn reactions off. Standard emoji reactions work on every channel, but custom emoji reactions are tied to the channel level, and each new level lets you add more. The same screen also lets you switch on paid reactions, where readers react by sending Telegram Stars.
Reactions are the fastest way for a reader to say something about a post without writing a comment. A handful of emoji under a post tells a first-time visitor that the channel is alive, and tells you which content lands. Even so, most channels never touch their reaction settings and keep whatever the default happens to be. This guide walks through enabling reactions, choosing which ones to allow, how custom emoji reactions relate to boost levels, and how Star reactions work.
What Telegram reactions are and why they matter
A reaction is a small emoji attached to a message or a channel post. Readers can react even when comments are closed, which makes reactions the most common form of engagement on most channels. Everyone can see which emoji were used and how many times.
For a channel admin, reactions do three practical jobs:
- Fast feedback: you see which topics, formats and posting times get the strongest response.
- Social proof: a new visitor who sees reactions under recent posts knows people actually read the channel.
- Brand identity: a reaction set you chose yourself, especially one with custom emoji, makes the channel feel like yours.
If you want to read reactions alongside the other engagement numbers, our guide on increasing Telegram channel engagement shows how they fit together.
How to turn reactions on or off
The setting lives in the channel edit screen and takes seconds to change. Labels can differ slightly between app versions, but the path is similar everywhere.
Android
- Open the channel and tap its name at the top.
- Tap the pencil icon (Edit) in the top right.
- Open Reactions.
- Choose All reactions, Some reactions or No reactions, then confirm with the check mark.
iPhone (iOS)
- Open the channel and tap its name.
- Tap Edit in the top right.
- Go to Reactions, pick an option and tap Save.
Desktop (Telegram Desktop)
- Open the channel, click the three-dot menu and choose Manage channel.
- Open Reactions and tick the reactions you want to allow.
- Click Save.
Only admins who can edit the channel are able to change this. The new setting applies to old and new posts alike, so reactions you no longer allow may stop showing over time.
Which reactions should you allow?
Each of the three options suits a different kind of channel:
| Option | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| All reactions | Readers can use the full standard emoji list. | Entertainment, memes, broad general channels |
| Some reactions | Only the emoji you choose appear. | News, education, brand and signal channels |
| No reactions | The reaction area under posts is hidden. | Official announcement channels, sensitive topics |
For most channels, Some reactions works best. Pick four to six emoji with a clear meaning, such as thumbs up, clap, fire, thinking face and heart. Too many options split reactions across a dozen emoji and every count stays small. A short, deliberate set concentrates the numbers and makes posts look more active.
Match the set to your tone. On an education channel, two emoji that mean “got it” and “I have a question” tell you exactly what readers think. On a deals channel, fire and heart feel more natural.
Custom emoji reactions and boost levels
Custom emoji reactions are animated emoji outside the standard list, usually from an emoji pack or chosen to match your channel’s identity. On channels this is tied to Telegram’s level system: Telegram has said that levels gained through boosts let channels post stories and add custom reactions.
In practice, a channel that reaches its first level can add a small number of custom reactions, and every new level raises that number. Telegram’s developer documentation shows each level adding one custom reaction slot, but because numbers can change, always treat the Reactions screen in your app as the source of truth. Our post on Telegram channel levels and boosts needed lists what each level unlocks.
To add custom reactions:
- Open Edit > Reactions on your channel.
- If the level is high enough, the emoji picker shows a section for custom emoji.
- Pick the custom emoji you want. When you hit the limit for your level, Telegram suggests boosting the channel to add more.
- Save, then check the reaction list on a fresh post.
The threshold is not fixed. Telegram sets the boosts needed for each level based on the channel’s subscriber count, so a large channel needs more boosts than a small one for the same level. You can estimate your own number with the boost calculator and confirm it on the channel’s Boost screen.
Groups work a little differently. Telegram announced that group admins can control whether custom reactions may be used in their groups, and groups can also receive boosts that unlock appearance options.
Paid Star reactions
In August 2024 Telegram introduced Star reactions for channels. A reader reacts by sending Telegram Stars, and the reaction shows up under the post with its own star icon. According to Telegram, channel owners receive 100% of those Stars, and each post with Star reactions shows a leaderboard of top senders. Users who prefer privacy can opt out of appearing on it.
Telegram gives this path to turn them on: Channel Settings > Reactions > Enable Paid Reactions. Once enabled, readers see the star option next to the regular reactions.
Star reactions make most sense for channels that publish work people value: guides, analysis, niche news. Pushing readers to send Stars on every post tends to backfire, so offer it as a way to support you, not as the point of the channel. If you are weighing income options, our guide to monetizing a Telegram channel compares the main models.
Reaction limits: per person and per post
There are two separate limits, and they are easy to mix up:
- Per person: Telegram says Premium users can add up to 3 reactions to a message. Non-Premium users are usually limited to one, and choosing a new reaction replaces the old one.
- Different reaction types per post: there is a cap on how many different emoji can appear under a single post. Newer app versions let admins lower this number on the Reactions screen, which keeps the reaction row tidy.
These limits answer the common question “why can’t my reader add a second reaction?” The cause is the reader’s account type, not your channel setting.
Common mistakes with reaction settings
- Turning reactions off completely: if comments are also closed, readers have no way at all to respond.
- Allowing too many emoji: when reactions spread across ten emoji, no post looks strong.
- Ignoring level drops: when boosts expire and the level falls, your custom reaction slots shrink too. Track expiry dates as described in how long Telegram boosts last.
- Treating reactions as the only metric: read them together with views, shares and subscriber changes.
If you want to raise your channel level to unlock custom reactions and other level features, the Telegram Boost page explains the options. Orders on the panel only need your channel link, never a password or login code; you can follow the order status in the panel and reach the support team if you have questions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enable reactions on a Telegram channel?
Open the channel profile, tap Edit and go to Reactions. Choose All reactions, Some reactions or No reactions, then save. Only admins with permission to edit the channel can change this setting.
How many boosts do I need for custom emoji reactions?
There is no single number, because the level threshold depends on how many subscribers the channel has. Custom emoji reactions are tied to the channel level, and each higher level allows more of them. The Boost screen of your channel shows the current threshold.
How many reactions can one person leave on a post?
According to Telegram, Premium users can add up to 3 reactions to a message, while non-Premium users are usually limited to one. There is also a separate cap on how many different reaction types can appear under a single post.
Who receives the Stars from Star reactions?
Telegram says channel owners receive 100% of the Stars sent as reactions. You turn the feature on under the Reactions section of Channel Settings with Enable Paid Reactions, and the Stars can then be used through the options Telegram offers, such as ads.
Do custom reactions disappear when boosts expire?
If the number of active boosts falls below the level threshold, the channel loses that level and the custom reaction slots tied to it shrink. Standard emoji reactions keep working regardless of level.