Bot API 8.0

Bot API 8.0 introduces 10 powerful new features for Mini Apps - including the ability to enter full-screen mode, launch from home screen shortcuts, offer subscription plans and more. Check out all the details in our dedicated blog and Mini App documentation.

Star Subscriptions

• Bots now support paid subscriptions powered by Telegram Stars - monetizing their efforts with multiple tiers of content and features.
• Added the parameter subscription_period to the method createInvoiceLink to support the creation of links that are billed periodically. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Add New Parameters to create_invoice_link #4568
• Added the parameter business_connection_id to the method createInvoiceLink to support the creation of invoice links on behalf of business accounts. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Add New Parameters to create_invoice_link #4568
• Added the fields subscription_expiration_date, is_recurring and is_first_recurring to the class SuccessfulPayment. Bot API 8.0: Add New Attributes to SuccessfulPayment #4570
• Added the method editUserStarSubscription. Bot API 8.0: Add Bot.edit_user_star_subscription #4571
• Added the field subscription_period to the class TransactionPartnerUser. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Gifts #4576

Full-screen Mode

• Mini Apps are now able to become full-screen in both portrait and landscape mode - allowing them to host more games, play widescreen media and support immersive user experiences.
• Added the methods requestFullscreen and exitFullscreen to the class WebApp to toggle full-screen mode.
• Added the fields safeAreaInset and contentSafeAreaInset to the class WebApp, allowing Mini Apps to ensure that their content properly respects the device's safe area margins.
• Further added the fields isActive and isFullscreen to the class WebApp.
  Added the events activated, deactivated, safeAreaChanged, contentSafeAreaChanged, fullscreenChanged and fullscreenFailed for Mini Apps.

Homescreen Shortcuts

• Mini Apps can now be accessed via direct shortcuts added to the home screen of mobile devices.
• Added the method addToHomeScreen to the class WebApp to create a shortcut for users to add to their home screens.
• Added the method checkHomeScreenStatus to the class WebApp to determine the status and support of the home screen shortcut for the Mini App on the current device.
• Added the events homeScreenAdded and homeScreenChecked for Mini Apps.

Emoji Status

• Mini Apps can now prompt users to set their emoji status - or request access to later sync it automatically with in-game badges, third-party APIs and more.
• Added the method setUserEmojiStatus. The user must allow the bot to manage their emoji status. Bot API 8.0: Add Bot.set_user_emoji_status #4572
• Added the method setEmojiStatus to the class WebApp to let users manually confirm a custom emoji as their new status via a native dialog.
• Added the method requestEmojiStatusAccess to the class WebApp for obtaining permission to later update a user's emoji status via the Bot API method setUserEmojiStatus.
• Added the events emojiStatusSet, emojiStatusFailed and emojiStatusAccessRequested for Mini Apps.

Media Sharing and File Downloads

• Users can now share media directly from Mini Apps - sending referral codes, custom memes, artwork and more to any chat or posting them as a story.
• Added the class PreparedInlineMessage and the method savePreparedInlineMessage, allowing bots to suggest users to send a specific message from a Mini App via the method shareMessage. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: PreparedInlineMessage and Bot.save_prepared_inline_message #4574
• Added the method shareMessage to the class WebApp to share media from Mini Apps to Telegram chats.
• Added the method downloadFile to the class WebApp, introducing support for a native popup that prompts users to download files from the Mini App.
• Added the events shareMessageSent, shareMessageFailed and fileDownloadRequested for Mini Apps.

Geolocation Access

• Mini Apps can now request geolocation access to users, allowing them to build virtually any location-based service, from games with dynamic points of interest to interactive maps for events.
• Added the field LocationManager to the class WebApp.
• Added the events locationManagerUpdated and locationRequested for Mini Apps.

Device Motion Tracking

• Mini Apps can now track detailed device motion data, allowing them to implement better productivity tools, immersive VR experiences and more.
• Added the fields isOrientationLocked, Accelerometer, DeviceOrientation and Gyroscope to the class WebApp.
• Added the methods lockOrientation and unlockOrientation to the class WebApp to control the screen orientation.
• Added the events accelerometerStarted, accelerometerStopped, accelerometerChanged, accelerometerFailed, deviceOrientationStarted, deviceOrientationStopped, deviceOrientationChanged, deviceOrientationFailed, gyroscopeStarted, gyroscopeStopped, gyroscopeChanged, gyroscopeFailed for Mini Apps.

Gifts

• Bots can now send Paid Gifts to users in exchange for Telegram Stars.
• Added the classes Gift and Gifts and the method getAvailableGifts, allowing bots to get all gifts available for sending. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Gifts #4576
• Added the method sendGift, allowing bots to send gifts to users. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Gifts #4576
• Added the field gift to the class TransactionPartnerUser. @Bibo-Joshi Bot API 8.0: Gifts #4576

Loading Screen Customization

• Mini Apps can customize their loading screen, adding their own icon and specific colors for light and dark themes.
• You can access these customization settings in @BotFather via /mybots > Select Bot > Bot Settings > Configure Mini App > Enable Mini App

Hardware-specific Optimizations

• Mini Apps running on Android can now receive basic information about a device's processing hardware, allowing them to optimize user experience based on the device's capabilities.
• This information includes the OS, App and SDK's respective versions as well as the device's model and performance class.

General

• Added the field photo_url to the class WebAppUser for all bots, allowing Mini Apps to access a user's profile photo if their privacy settings allow for it.
• Third parties (e.g., Mini App builders) that receive or process data on behalf of Mini Apps are now able to validate it without knowing the App's bot token.
• Debugging options have been expanded to include full support for iOS devices. You can use these tools to find app-specific issues in your Mini App.