Telegram Desktop keyboard shortcuts
Telegram Desktop is the official cross-platform Telegram client, known for speed, folders, and rich text formatting. It has one of the better default shortcut sets among chat apps, covering chat switching, message formatting, quick replies, and even a passcode lock, so heavy users can run almost entirely from the keyboard. This cheat sheet covers 39 default shortcuts for Windows and Mac.
Navigation & Chats
| Search | Ctrl+FCmd+F |
| Next chat | Ctrl+TabCtrl+Tab |
| Previous chat | Ctrl+Shift+TabCtrl+Shift+Tab |
| Next chat (alternative) | Ctrl+PgDnCmd+PgDn |
| Previous chat (alternative) | Ctrl+PgUpCmd+PgUp |
| Switch to chat folder 1-8 | Ctrl+1-8Cmd+1-8 |
| Back / close current chat | EscapeEscape |
| Scroll chat history | PgUp / PgDnPgUp / PgDn |
Messaging
| Send message | EnterEnter |
| Send message (alternative) | Ctrl+EnterCmd+Enter |
| New line in message | Shift+EnterShift+Enter |
| Edit your last message | Up ArrowUp Arrow |
| Reply to previous message | Ctrl+UpCmd+Up |
| Reply to next message | Ctrl+DownCmd+Down |
| Cancel reply or edit | EscapeEscape |
Text Formatting
| Bold | Ctrl+BCmd+B |
| Italic | Ctrl+ICmd+I |
| Underline | Ctrl+UCmd+U |
| Strikethrough | Ctrl+Shift+XCmd+Shift+X |
| Monospace | Ctrl+Shift+MCmd+Shift+M |
| Spoiler | Ctrl+Shift+PCmd+Shift+P |
| Create link | Ctrl+KCmd+K |
| Plain text (clear formatting) | Ctrl+Shift+NCmd+Shift+N |
Composer Editing
| Select all text | Ctrl+ACmd+A |
| Copy | Ctrl+CCmd+C |
| Cut | Ctrl+XCmd+X |
| Paste text or image | Ctrl+VCmd+V |
| Undo | Ctrl+ZCmd+Z |
| Redo | Ctrl+Shift+ZCmd+Shift+Z |
Media Viewer
| Close media viewer | EscapeEscape |
| Previous media | Left ArrowLeft Arrow |
| Next media | Right ArrowRight Arrow |
| Play / pause video | SpaceSpace |
| Save media as file | Ctrl+SCmd+S |
App & Window
| Lock Telegram (with passcode set) | Ctrl+LCmd+L |
| Minimize window | Ctrl+MCmd+M |
| Close window (keep running in tray) | Ctrl+WCmd+W |
| Quit Telegram | Ctrl+QCmd+Q |
| Open settings | no defaultCmd+, |
Put your top Telegram Desktop shortcuts on real keys
The five Telegram Desktop actions most worth binding to a physical macropad key:
Ctrl+TabCtrl+Tab Next chat Cycling through unread chats is the most repeated action for heavy Telegram users.
Up ArrowUp Arrow Edit your last message Instant typo fixes, though a dedicated key means never reaching for the arrows mid-thought.
Ctrl+LCmd+L Lock Telegram One press to secure private chats every time you step away from the desk.
Ctrl+FCmd+F Search Jumping to any chat or message by name is core Telegram navigation.
Ctrl+Shift+PCmd+Shift+P Spoiler formatting A three-key chord that spoiler-happy group chatters fire constantly.
I hand-build small-batch programmable macropads (QMK/VIA) in Barcelona. One press, any shortcut, any app.
Telegram Desktop shortcut FAQs
How do I edit my last message in Telegram Desktop?
With the message box empty, press the Up Arrow. Your most recent message opens for editing; press Enter to save or Escape to cancel.
How do I make text bold or italic in Telegram Desktop?
Select the text and press Ctrl+B for bold or Ctrl+I for italic (Cmd on Mac). Telegram also supports underline (Ctrl+U), strikethrough (Ctrl+Shift+X), monospace (Ctrl+Shift+M), spoilers (Ctrl+Shift+P), and links (Ctrl+K).
How do I switch between chats with the keyboard in Telegram?
Ctrl+Tab and Ctrl+Shift+Tab move to the next and previous chat, and Ctrl+PgDn / Ctrl+PgUp do the same. Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 jump between your chat folders.
Can I lock Telegram Desktop with a keyboard shortcut?
Yes. Set a local passcode in Settings > Privacy and Security, then press Ctrl+L (Cmd+L on Mac) to lock the app instantly.
How do I reply to a specific message quickly in Telegram Desktop?
Press Ctrl+Up (Cmd+Up on Mac) to select the message above for a reply, keep pressing to move further back, and Ctrl+Down to move forward. Escape cancels the reply.