Sticker & Media Locks

Why Media Control Matters

Different communities have different norms around media. A professional business group does not want members spamming animated stickers during a serious discussion. A support group does not want voice messages that are hard to scan through quickly. A news group does not want polls that could spread misinformation. Every community has content types that are appropriate and content types that are not, and what is appropriate varies from group to group. There is no one size fits all setting that works for every community.

BotWave's media lock system gives you granular control over each content type independently. You can lock stickers in a professional group while allowing photos. You can lock voice messages in a support group while allowing text and links. You can lock polls in a news group while allowing videos. This level of control lets you shape the character of your group to match its purpose, creating an environment that feels appropriate for its audience and its goals.

Locking Specific Content Types

The /lock command locks a specific content type. When a content type is locked, any message of that type from a non admin member is automatically deleted. The following content types can be locked: text, stickers, GIFs, animations, games, inline bots, polls, phone numbers, videos, photos, audio, voice messages, video notes, documents, contacts, and locations. Each lock is independent, so you can mix and match to create the exact content policy you want.

The /unlock command reverses a lock, allowing the content type again. The /locks command shows all current locks, giving you a quick overview of what is restricted. The /lockall command locks every content type at once, which is useful during emergencies when you need to temporarily silence all media. The /unlockall command reverses all locks, returning the group to open access.

Sticker Pack Management

Stickers are one of the most popular forms of expression on Telegram, but they can also be a source of disruption. Some sticker packs contain offensive or inappropriate content. Some members use stickers excessively, cluttering the chat with animations that make it hard to follow the conversation. The /stickerpack command lets you block specific sticker packs, preventing members from using them in your group.

The /blocksticker command blocks an individual sticker. When a member sends a blocked sticker, it is automatically deleted. This is useful for removing specific problematic stickers without blocking the entire pack they come from. The /blockedstickers command lists all blocked stickers and packs, giving you a clear view of what is restricted.

Bot Control

Other bots can be a source of disruption in your group. Members might trigger bots that post large images, spam responses, or content that violates your group's standards. The /blockbot command prevents members from using specific bots via inline mode. When a bot is blocked, any inline result from that bot is automatically deleted from your chat.

The /blockedbots command lists all blocked bots. The /unblockbot command removes a bot from the block list. This gives you precise control over which bots are allowed in your group, letting you permit useful bots while blocking ones that produce unwanted content.

Emergency Lockdown

Sometimes a group faces a sudden crisis that requires immediate, comprehensive action. A raid attack, a coordinated spam campaign, or a security incident may require you to temporarily lock down the entire chat. The /lockall command locks every content type at once, effectively preventing all non admin members from posting anything. This gives you time to assess the situation, identify the troublemakers, and take targeted action without the chat being flooded with messages during the crisis.

Once the situation is under control, /unlockall reverses the lockdown and returns the group to normal operation. The ability to quickly lock and unlock the entire chat is a critical tool for community managers, because it provides a fail safe that can be activated in seconds when things go wrong. Without it, admins would have to manually manage each content type during a crisis, which is too slow to be effective.

Available Commands