a button in context menu for messages sent to a group that allows to quickly reply and preserve the context of the original message by showing a preview of the replied message and a button to open the message in the group's context.
Competitors' way
WhatsApp has a Reply privately button in group message's context menu that creates a tappeable reply in the private chat with the user that redirects you to the original message context in the group: WhatsApp: Here’s How to Privately Reply to a Group Message
Workarounds
that require extra taps & are not easy for the average user.
(A) “Reply Options” menu
open the context menu of a message, tap Reply, then tap the reply preview above the input field, select Reply in Another Chat, then find the chat where you'd like to send it. Added in https://telegram.org/blog/reply-revolution/
requires up to 5 taps.
it's difficult to find the user if you don't have a chat with them.
(B) Forward + Reply
forward a message from a group > Find the user you want to reply in private > Send your reply with the attached fowarded message
this doesn't allow to open the message in the original context.
(C) Copy Message Link + Reply
in groups with unified history you can use Copy Message Link > Find the user you want to reply in private > Send your reply with the link to the message in the group.
it doesn't show preview of the replied message.
(D) Cmd/Alt + Click on 'Reply' button (TDesktop only)
on Telegram Desktop app you can hold Cmd/Alt and click on Reply button in message context menu as a shortcut to reply in another chat.
Like Michael V said, this is still not resolved properly. Please, just 'right click -> Reply privately', it's easy to implement now that the new reply system is ready.
Currently, it's still very cumbersome, and if I want to reply to someone who's not in my contacts... that's gonna be very cumbersome.
This feature is perhaps the single obstacle for recommending a transition from WhatsApp to Telegram to some groups I'm on. I use it very often (I mean, not on Telegram), and am frustrated every time I want to use it on Tg. It is also probably quite straightforward to implement. So please take the time and effort to do so.
This feature is severely lacking. Considering that Telegram takes pride in being the most rapidly evolving messaging platform (including many features necessary for only a few users), this omission is even more noticeable.
Currently, it's still very cumbersome, and if I want to reply to someone who's not in my contacts... that's gonna be very cumbersome.