Telegram mini app are convenient and easy—to-use programs that work inside the messenger, allowing users to perform various actions without leaving the application. And if you want to learn how to create your own mini-application and use the capabilities of AdsGram, then this article is for you!
How do I create a mini-application in Telegram?
Mini apps can be very different: from games and useful tools to services for work and communication. Their main advantage is a user—friendly and simple interface that users already know and know how to use. Telegram mini apps are web applications that offer smooth integration within the telegram messenger ecosystem.
Let’s look at how to make your own mini-application and what tools and technologies you will need for this. This guide contains everything you need to get started with the process of creating your own Telegram mini-app.
Preparation for development
This stage determines how convenient and useful your application will be. Don’t worry, the process is quite simple, and even if you have no experience, you can figure it out. You’ll learn how to build effective mini-applications from scratch.
- Defining the purpose of the mini-application
First of all, think about why you need a mini-application. It can be:
The game is designed to entertain users and increase engagement. A useful tool (for example, a calculator, translator, or task scheduler). A service for communication (for example, a bot to help clients or an automated FAQ).
It is important to understand what problem you want to solve with your mini-application. The clearer the goal, the easier it will be to develop its structure and functionality.
- Choosing the development platform and technology
Now that you have decided on a goal, it’s time to choose what you will develop your application on. Here are some popular options:
JavaScript is an excellent choice if you know basic programming. You can use it to create a web app that runs smoothly in the Telegram ecosystem. Telegram provides excellent support for this technology, and it is quite convenient for a quick start. React. It is a library for creating user interfaces. It is great for developing mini-applications, as it simplifies the creation of components and user interaction. Other web technologies. You can also use HTML and CSS to create the interface of your application. These basic elements will help make your project visually appealing and functional.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you have experience with other frameworks or libraries, try them out. The main thing is that they support integration with Telegram’s ecosystem and open network protocols.
- Create a Telegram account and connect the official manager
Now that you are ready to develop, you need to create a system that will manage your mini-application. This is done through the official Telegram bot service — BotFather. He is, in fact, the main “administrator” of all applications in Telegram and helps you easily create and configure your application.
Here’s how to do it:
Open the telegram app and find BotFather (you can just enter the name in the messenger search). Start a chat with the manager and enter the /newbot command. Next, you will need to come up with a name for your application (this is how it will be displayed to users) and a unique username. It should end in a specific format, for example, MyCoolMiniApp_bot. After creation, the manager will give you a token — this is the key with which you can control your application via the API. This token is important, save it somewhere safe, because without it you will not be able to connect the mini-application.
This process takes only a couple of minutes, and already at this stage you will have an application ready with which you can start integration.
When you have your application, you can move on to the next stage — the development of the interface and functionality of your mini-application. Next, we will look at exactly how to use telegram tokens and services to create a unique and user-friendly application, as well as integrate it with AdsGram for promotion.
Development of a mini-application
To develop your TMA, you can use different frameworks, such as React, or create an application from scratch using web technologies and Telegram’s services. Whether you’re building a simple bot or a complex interactive app, this step-by-step guide will help you through the process.
These are web applications that run directly within the Telegram interface, offering users smooth experiences without needing to visit the app store.
Remember, everything is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance.
Step #1. Creating a project
First you need to create a telegram mini app project — this will be the base of your mini-application. Text editors or development environments (IDEs) such as VS Code, WebStorm, or even simple editors like Sublime Text will help you with this. They help organize the code and make writing it more convenient. You’ll need to set up a proper test environment to ensure everything works correctly.
Create a folder for your project and create files inside:
index.html — this is the file that will contain the HTML code of your web app. style.css is a file with styles (CSS) for the interface design. app.js — here will be your main code that will control the application logic and interaction with Telegram services.
Step #2. Writing code
When the project structure is ready, you can move on to the code. Let’s look at how to set up your application and make it interactive. You’ll want to ensure your app work correctly with proper debug capabilities.
Connecting to Telegram services
Use the token that you received from the manager and connect it in your code to set up interaction with Telegram. If you are using web technologies, connect the Telegraf library via SDK — it simplifies working with Telegram and makes it easy to send and receive messages through the bot api. This library will help your bot communicate effectively with users and handle authentication processes smoothly.
Install Telegraf using the command:
Now create a simple application:
This code launches an application that will greet all users at startup. Then you can add more functions, such as processing text commands or button clicks. You can also integrate Web3 features and wallet functionality for advanced use cases. Your bot will be able to handle various user interactions effectively and send a message to users when needed.
Creating an interface
If your mini app using interactive elements needs to work with users through the interface, you need to add the HTML code to the file index.html . For example, if you have a mini-game, create buttons and input fields with an intuitive UI. Make sure to design the header of the mini app to be clear and functional:
Step #3. Writing application logic
Now let’s move on to the app.js, where all the application logic will be located. For example, you can add button click processing and notification systems. You may also need backend support depending on your application’s complexity. Your bot should respond appropriately to different user commands and actions. Mini apps support seamless authorization, so users can log in easily.
The interface of your mini-application should be simple and intuitive so that users do not get lost and can quickly figure out how to use it within telegram. Consider implementing push notifications to keep users engaged even when they’re not actively using the app.
Step #4. Launch and testing
When everything is ready, you need to test your mini app to see how it works. There are several options here:
Start a local server using Live Server in VS Code or another tool. This will allow you to immediately see the changes and test the functionality. If you want to do everything for real and test the application in Telegram, deploy it on a platform like Heroku or Vercel. This will allow your application to work in real conditions and accept requests from users.
To run the application on the server, create a server file.js and use code like this:
That’s all! Your mini-application is ready for testing and launch. All that remains is to optimize it and add new features so that users get the most pleasure and benefit. And with AdsGram, you can immediately start an advertising campaign to attract more users and get a response to your application.
How do I add a mini-app to Telegram?
When your mini-application is ready and tested, it’s time to add it to Telegram so that users can use it. Understanding how telegram mini apps work is crucial for successful integration.
Step #1. Uploading the project to the server
The first step is to place your mini—application on the server. This is necessary in order for it to be available to users at any time. The server allows your application to run continuously and process requests in real time. Here’s how to do it:
Choose a hosting platform. This can be a free hosting service, for example, Heroku or Vercel, or a paid service like AWS or DigitalOcean. Choose the one that supports your development technology (for example, if you use web technologies, select a server that supports Node.js ). Upload your project to the server. You can place the project in a repository on GitHub or another similar service, and then connect it to the chosen hosting platform. This will allow you to deploy the application automatically with each update.
After downloading, your server will provide an app URL where your mini-application will be available online.
Step #2. Connecting the application via a token
When the project is hosted on the server, the next step is to connect your app to telegram so that Telegram can send requests to your application and receive responses. To do this, you will need the token that you received from the manager when creating the application.
Use this token in your server settings to link it to Telegram. This will allow your application to interact with users via Telegram and forward all user requests to your server. Your bot will serve as the bridge between users and your application. It is important that the server supports a secure connection (HTTPS), as Telegram requires this to ensure security.
Step #3. Setup and application integration
In order for your mini-application to fully work inside Telegram, you need to properly configure the system and add elements that users can interact with. Ensure your app is launched right inside telegram for the best user experience.
Configuring the webhook
A webhook is a special URL to which Telegram will send all messages and commands from users of your application. You will need to set up this URL on the server so that Telegram can direct requests directly to your application. This webhook will allow your bot to receive real-time updates.
Setting up buttons and commands
To make it easy for users to launch your telegram mini app, add intuitive buttons and commands. For example, these may be the “Launch”, “Open” or other buttons that correspond to the functionality of your application. Consider adding a menu button for easy navigation, which can also serve as a bot menu button. These buttons will allow users to interact with your mini-application directly in a chat, without having to enter text commands. The telegram interface should provide seamless interaction. Your bot should handle all these interactions smoothly.
Set up commands that will activate certain actions in your application, such as launching a game or calling for help. Make sure to handle each parameter correctly.
Processing commands and actions
It is important that your application responds correctly to user actions. When the user clicks a button or enters a command, the application must send an appropriate response or activate the desired function of the mini-application. This ensures smooth and convenient user interaction with your application. Your bot should be programmed to handle various scenarios and edge cases.
Step #4. Testing and launch
When everything is set up, it’s time to test your mini-application:
Make sure that the server is working correctly and is available online via HTTPS. Log in to Telegram and open your application. Click on the buttons that you have configured and make sure that the application works as you expected. Make sure that the application responds correctly to commands and interacts with the system.
If everything is configured correctly, your mini-application will be completely ready and available to all Telegram users. You will be able to monitor how users interact with the app and add new features and capabilities.
Setting up your mini app with BotFather
After completing the development process, you need to configure your application properly. When you build a telegram mini app, it’s essential to follow the right steps. Once your app is ready, you can proceed with the final configuration.
Go back to BotFather and configure your mini-app settings. You can create a direct link that users can share, and ensure your app works well in telegram groups. The telegram platform supports both Android and iOS devices, so make sure your app is compatible with both systems.
Consider the telegram UI guidelines when designing your app. Users should have a smooth experience when opening the mini app, regardless of their device type. Make sure to optimize your mini app to the maximum potential and ensure app to the maximum available functionality is utilized.
Users can access your app directly through the telegram messenger interface for the best experience. Once your app is expanded with all necessary features, it will provide a comprehensive solution for your users.
Promotion of a mini-application with AdsGram
Now that your mini-app is active, you can use AdsGram to promote it. Our platform allows you to set up ads specifically for Telegram mini-apps and games. You can also utilize telegram ads for broader reach. You can:
Create an advertising campaign to attract more users to your app. Use geotargeting to serve ads in the right regions and get high-quality traffic. Optimize ad formats for games and mini-applications such as rewarded videos or banners to increase user engagement.
With AdsGram, you can effectively promote your app and attract new users. Good luck in launching and promoting your mini-app!
