Max, a rising messenger app, just added a feature it was missing: public channels are now available on Android. Users can create new public channels or convert existing private ones. The company insists this is no longer a beta test. Desktop and web versions will follow suit in the coming days.
The setup is straightforward. Within the ”Chats” section, users create a channel by entering a name, description, and cover image, then confirm launch. The service then prompts new users to link their ”Digital ID” if they haven’t already, and to pick a unique public URL to switch the channel into public mode. Existing private channels can be made public through their settings.
This is a significant move for Max. Public channels have long been essential in messaging apps-not just as showcases for bloggers and media but as hubs for news, announcements, and community engagement. Telegram pioneered public channels back in 2015, turning them into a key tool for creators, brands, and news outlets. Without public links and channel discovery, a new messenger risks looking incomplete in today’s competitive environment.
Max says that by July, its platform housed over 10 million public and private channels, with total subscriptions reaching 430 million. That doesn’t mean 430 million unique users-since one person can subscribe to dozens of channels-but the scale is undeniably large. Max also reported a total user base exceeding 125 million, underscoring its rapid growth.
The real test now is how many of these 10 million channels will thrive once public and accessible through shareable links. As web and desktop versions catch up with Android, creators will gain full cross-platform functionality, which could fuel a surge in public content and audience interaction.