Telegram’s updated media editor adds a blur tool and more text options

Telegram’s latest update includes a media editor with new tools to decorate or hide parts of your images or videos. In An update on its blogTelegram says it’s introducing a new blur tool that lets you block out parts of a photo or video, hide important information, or blur the faces of passers-by in the background.

Telegram says that you can use the Eyedropper tool to match the color of the blur brush to your image to blend out the blurry part of your photo. Additionally, Telegram adds a way to change the size, font, and background of text when adding it to photos or videos (like Instagram or Snapchat).

It says its updated drawing tools will “change width” and automatically smooth lines depending on how fast you draw. Telegram also added a way to quickly add shapes like rectangles, circles, arrows, stars, and chat bubbles by tapping the “plus” icon in the editor. If you don’t want your recipient to see what you’re sending right away, you can use the spoiler effect, which adds a “shiny layer” to an image or video that hides its contents until your recipient taps it.

Outside of image editing tools, Telegram’s latest update includes new storage options that allow you to automatically remove cached data from individual chats, groups, and channels after a set period of time, excluding chats you choose. While Telegram previously allowed you to clear your cache across all chats, this will make it easier to automatically clear space without affecting important conversations. It also introduces a handy new pie chart that shows how much storage space different types of files like videos, documents, music, and photos take up.

There are also some other new settings that let you choose profile pictures for contacts that only you see – perfect if you have a certain inappropriate picture that you need to be reminded of every time someone messages you. You can also suggest profile pictures for specific contacts, which they can change if they like what you’ve chosen. If you’ve already limited the visibility of your profile picture to just your contacts, Telegram now offers the option to set a public profile picture that everyone can see. On the other hand, if you don’t want anyone in the app to see your picture, not even your contacts, you can now set your profile picture’s visibility to “Nobody”.