What is TeleDrive?
TeleDrive is a file storage and browsing application that uses a private Telegram channel on the user's own account. It runs on Android, Windows, Linux and macOS, with a local index for offline browsing and search. There is no TeleDrive server or separate service account.
Users install the application, supply their own Telegram API credentials and sign in to Telegram. Android supports automatic backups of photos and selected folders. Optional encryption protects file contents, names, captions and the folder tree, while a recovery passphrase enables restoration on another device. Storage remains dependent on Telegram, and a lost encryption passphrase cannot be reset.
TeleDrive screenshots
Explore the interface. Open a screenshot to view it at full size.
Source: official TeleDrive project page.
Key capabilities
- Automatic backup Upload photos and selected folders on Android using schedules, Wi-Fi and charging conditions, and exclusion patterns.
- File management Organize files with folders, favorites, hidden and archived items, trash and bulk actions across separate channel-based drives.
- Optional encryption Encrypt file contents and metadata, with passphrase-based key recovery and encrypted local caches.
- Media access Stream audio and video from Telegram, including encrypted files, and preview images, PDFs, text and ZIP contents.
- Transfer handling Queue parallel transfers, split files across messages when needed, and resume downloads and completed upload parts.
Where TeleDrive fits
TeleDrive fits personal file storage and Android backup workflows for users willing to keep their data in Telegram. Its desktop applications provide access to the same drive, while existing Telegram documents can be forwarded into the drive channel without downloading and uploading them again.
Before deployment, verify Telegram account access, API credentials and device compatibility. Linux support targets x86_64, and macOS builds require Apple Silicon and are unsigned. Recovery procedures should include safeguarding the encryption passphrase. Forwarded documents remain unencrypted, and full downloads, rather than streaming alone, are needed to verify whole-file integrity.
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