The once-promising explosion of mini-apps on Telegram has fizzled out just as quickly as it began. Launched with great fanfare a year ago, these lightweight applications embedded within the messaging platform were touted as a revolutionary way to engage Telegram’s 900 million-strong user base.
However, recent data reveals a stark decline, with monthly active users (MAU) dropping steadily month after month, as evidenced by screenshots circulating among tech analysts. What started as a potential game-changer has largely faded, leaving only a few niches showing signs of resilience.
The Rise and Fall
Telegram’s mini-apps debuted, offering developers a sandbox to create everything from games to e-commerce tools within the app’s ecosystem. The initial buzz was palpable, with over 100,000 mini-apps launched in the first six months, driven by Telegram’s privacy-first appeal and its massive audience in regions like Russia, Iran, and India. Yet, the momentum proved short-lived.
Screenshots shared by industry observers, such as those on X, depict a downward trajectory in MAU, with engagement plummeting from a peak of 50 million users to under 10 million by mid-year. The lack of sustained developer interest and user retention has turned the mini-app experiment into a cautionary tale of overhyped innovation.
Analysts attribute this decline to several factors: insufficient monetization options, limited discoverability, and a lack of cohesive integration with Telegram’s core messaging features.
Without robust support from the platform or clear incentives, many developers abandoned their projects, leaving the ecosystem to stagnate.
Surviving Niches
Despite the overall downturn, a few categories within Telegram mini-apps (TMA) continue to show modest growth, hinting at potential paths forward.
The standout areas include:
- AI-Bots: Intelligent assistants leveraging artificial intelligence are gaining traction, offering personalized tasks like scheduling or content summarization.
- AI-Based Chat-Bots: These conversational agents, often powered by advanced language models, cater to niche communities seeking interactive experiences.
- NFTs and GIFTS: Digital collectibles and virtual gifting remain popular, driven by crypto enthusiasts and social engagement trends.
- Dating Applications: Likely AI-enhanced, these apps tap into the demand for connection, with features like matchmaking algorithms keeping them afloat.
These niches thrive due to their alignment with Telegram’s tech-savvy user base and the platform’s permissive stance on experimentation. AI-driven tools, in particular, benefit from the growing interest in automation and personalization, while NFTs and dating apps leverage social and cultural currents.
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What’s Next for Telegram Mini-Apps?
The decline of Telegram mini-apps raises questions about the platform’s long-term strategy. While the initial launch showcased Telegram’s ambition to diversify beyond messaging, the lack of sustained growth suggests a need for reevaluation.
Enhancing monetization — perhaps through in-app purchases or ad integration — could revitalize developer interest. Additionally, improving discoverability through better curation or promotion within the app might stem the user exodus.
For now, the surviving niches offer a glimpse of potential, but they are far from reversing the trend.
As Telegram weighs its next move, the mini-app saga serves as a reminder that innovation alone isn’t enough — execution and ecosystem support are key. Whether this experiment can be resurrected or will remain a footnote in the platform’s history remains an open question, with the tech community watching closely for signs of a turnaround.
