How to Send Telegram Stars: Friends, Channels, Bots and Gifts

Telegram Stars can be sent directly to any content creator, channel owner, or bot developer as a form of appreciation or tip. The process is built directly into the Telegram interface — there's no need to visit any external website or use a separate app.

In a channel or group chat, you'll typically see a Stars button (sometimes represented by a gift or star icon) near the message input. Tapping it opens a selection screen where you choose how many Stars to send. Popular preset amounts appear as quick-select options, but you can usually enter a custom amount as well.

For individual users, you can send Stars through their profile or directly in a private chat. The recipient is notified immediately, and the Stars appear in their Telegram Stars balance. There are no fees charged for sending Stars between users — the full amount you send arrives with the recipient.

Telegram has introduced Stars gifting as a social feature, allowing users to send Stars as a gift for birthdays, achievements, or simply as a gesture of support. When gifting Stars, the recipient receives a special notification that distinguishes it from a regular tip, making it feel more personal.

To gift Stars to someone you know: navigate to their profile, look for the 'Gift Stars' option (the location varies slightly depending on your Telegram version), and select the amount. You can pair the Stars gift with a message for extra personalization. The Stars gift is a relatively new feature and continues to evolve with each Telegram update.

For bot developers and mini-app creators, Stars sent by users are tracked as revenue. The Telegram platform takes a small commission on Stars transactions involving bots and mini-apps, but direct user-to-user Star gifts do not incur this commission.

Stars transactions within Telegram are final. Once you send Stars to another user, channel, or bot, the transfer cannot be reversed or refunded through the app. This is by design — Stars function as a digital currency within the Telegram ecosystem, and reversals would undermine their utility for creators who rely on them as income.

The one exception is purchases made through the official Telegram app store interface (when buying in-app items via Stars). In these cases, Apple and Google's refund policies apply if you purchased Stars through the App Store or Play Store. However, if you bought Stars via Fragment using TON, no refund path exists through a payment platform.

Before sending a large amount of Stars, double-check the recipient's username or channel link. Sending Stars to the wrong person cannot be corrected — they will simply have received an unexpected bonus.