How can I start a secret chat on Telegram Desktop?

Question

I know how to start a secret chat with someone using Telegram on my mobile device. But - using the Linux desktop client, I can't find an option for doing that. Does it exist?

Answer 1

No, there is no "Secret Chat" available in the official desktop edition of Telegram.

Saying "no" is somewhat difficult, I don't know any current official straightforward statement of Telegram about this question. Therefore the indirect prove is required:

1. In 2015 they denied thinking about integrating it (see here). The discussion has been closed in 2016 without a positive statement.

2. The change log of the Telegram Desktop Client reaches beyond 2015 and does not even contain the word "secret". (changelog.txt @gitub)

3. The "Secret Chat" is a significant feature that surely would be mentioned in the change log. — The absence in the change log denies its presence.

So no, unfortunately the feature hasn't been delivered until today.

There are unofficial third-party tools out there like telegram-cli or a pidgin plugin (unmaintained), that offer the "Secret Chat" feature. (see also the app list at Telegram)

To get the "Secret Chat" feature on the desktop is possible, but you have to trust third-party developers.