Winter holidays in Telegram are accompanied by thematic animations, and one of the most popular effects - falling snow in chats. Many users Android devices face the question: how to enable this visual element if it does not appear automatically? Unlike iOSwhere interface settings are often more obvious, on Android additional actions may be required - from checking the application version to manual activation through hidden menus.

In this article we will look at all available methods inclusions snow in Telegram on smartphones with Android —from standard settings to workarounds for older versions. You'll also learn why the effect may not work, how to disable it if it's bothering you, and what alternative winter animations are available in the messenger. We will pay special attention to hidden parameter xmas_modewhich is responsible for the holiday theme, but is not officially documented.

Why there is no snow in Telegram: possible reasons

Before trying to turn it on snow, it’s worth figuring out why it may be missing. Most often, the problem is associated with one of the following reasons:

  • 📅 Out of season. The snow effect appears in Telegram automatically from December 1 to January 15. At other times of the year, its activation requires manual manipulation.
  • 🔄 Outdated version of the application. Snow is supported only in current builds (starting from Telegram 8.0+). If you haven't updated the messenger for a long time, the effect simply won't load.
  • 📱 Limitations manufacturer. Some brands (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei) modify the firmware, which can block animations in third-party applications.
  • 🎨 Disabled animations in the settings. If visual effects are deactivated in the system or itself Telegram the snow will not appear even in the season.

Check first date and application version. To do this, open Telegram, tap on the three lines in the upper left corner and select Settings → About the app. If the version is lower 8.0, update the messenger via Google Play or the official website.

📊 You see snow in Telegram directly now?
Yes, it is
No, but the season is appropriate
No, and it’s not the season
I don’t know how to check

Method 1: Automatic activation of snow in season

If you use Telegram during December 1 to January 15, snow should appear automatically in all chats - both personal and group. However, sometimes it is required forced update of the interface:

  1. Close the application via recent tasks menu (swipe up).
  2. Open Telegram again and wait for the chats to load.
  3. Go to any dialogue and pull the screen down - this will update the animation.

If snow still does not appear, try restart your smartphone. Sometimes background processes Android block the correct display of effects. Also make sure that animations are not disabled in your phone settings:

  • 📱 Go to Settings → Accessibility → Delete animations (the path may vary depending on the firmware).
  • 🔧 Disable the option Remove window animations or Simplified modeif it is active.
💡

If snow appears only in some chats, try clearing the Telegram cache: Settings → Memory and data → Clear cache.

Method 2: Manual activation through experimental settings

Telegram hides some functions behind a flag xmas_mode (from Christmas mode). This option controls holiday themes, including snow. To activate it:

  1. Open Telegram and go to Settings → Advanced (or Experimental functions, if there is such an item).
  2. Find the option Holiday mode or Xmas Mode and turn it on.
  3. If there is no such item, use hidden command:
Enter in the chat search bar:

@debug


Then send the command:


/set_xmas_mode 1

After that, restart the application. Snow should appear within 5-10 minutes. If the command did not work, then your version Telegram does not support this method.

What to do if the command does not work?

Most likely, you are using a modified version of Telegram (for example, Telegram X or Fork). In this case, try installing the official assembly from the website telegram.org.

⚠️ Attention: Using hidden commands may lead to unstable operation of the messenger. If after activation xmas_mode Telegram started to slow down, turn off the mode with the command /set_xmas_mode 0.

Method 3: Update via APK for forced activation

If snow does not appear even after all the manipulations, perhaps your version Telegram collected without festive effects. In this case, it will help installing a fresh APK from the official website:

  1. Download the latest version Telegram from the link: https://telegram.org/android (open in the browser on your phone).
  2. Allow installation from unknown sources in security settings Android.
  3. Install the downloaded file Telegram-X.X.X.apkreplacing the current version.

After installation, snow should appear automatically if the season is appropriate. If not, repeat the method with a hidden command (/set_xmas_mode 1).

Telegram version Snow support Is manual activation required?
8.0–8.5 Yes, but unstable Sometimes
8.6–9.5 Yes, automatically during the season No
10.0+ Yes, with additional effects No
Modified (Fork, Plus) Depends on the build Often yes
⚠️ Attention: Installing APK from third-party sources (not from telegram.org) can lead to data leakage. Use only official download channels.

Method 4: Alternative winter effects in Telegram

If the snow still doesn’t work, there are other ways to add a festive mood: Telegram There are other ways to add holiday cheer:

  • ❄️ Themes. Install a winter theme from the catalog: Settings → Themes → Search for "winter" or "snow".
  • 🎄 Stickers and emojis. Enter in search stickers #snow or #winter —a selection of thematic stickers will appear.
  • 🎁 Animated background images. In the chat settings (... → Change background), select a winter image with a parallax effect.

For group chats you can also include special reactions with winter symbols. To do this:

  1. Open a group chat.
  2. Tap on the group name → Manage → Reactions.
  3. Add an emoji ❄️, 🎄 or ⛄ to the list of available reactions.

Update the list of stickers in Settings → Stickers

Install a winter theme from the official catalog

Check settings background animations in chat

Add winter reactions to group chat-->

How to turn off snow if it gets in the way

Not all users like falling snowflakes - they can be distracting or slow down work on weaker devices. To remove the effect:

  1. Use the command /set_xmas_mode 0 in @debug (same as enabling).
  2. Disable animations in settings Android: Settings → Accessibility → Remove animation.
  3. Set a minimalistic theme in Telegram (for example, Classic or Dark), which ignores holiday effects.

If the snow disappeared, but after a while it appeared again, it means Telegram forcedly activated it on the server side. In this case, all that remains is to wait until the end of the holiday season (after January 15).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Here are the errors that users encounter when trying to turn on snow, and how to fix them:

Problem Possible reason Solution
There is snow, but it slows down Weak processor or low RAM Disable animations in the Android settings or use the lite version Telegram Lite
Command /set_xmas_mode does not work Outdated or modified version Update the application or install the official APK
Snow appears only in some chats Cache or synchronization error Clear the Telegram cache in the memory settings
The effect disappears after a reboot Resetting temporary data Repeat activation via command or reinstall application

If none of the methods worked, check whether antivirus or optimizer (for example, Clean Master, Avast) is blocking the work of Telegram. Add the messenger to the exceptions or temporarily disable the protection.

💡

Snow in Telegram is tied to the server date, and not to the local phone settings. If the date is set incorrectly on your device, the effect may not appear even during the season.

Is it possible to enable snow in Telegram outside the season (for example, in the summer)?

Technically yes, but only through hidden commands (/set_xmas_mode 1) or modified versions of the application. However, the server Telegram can reset this parameter with the next update. Snow is guaranteed to work only from December 1 to January 15..

Why do friends have snow on iPhone, but not on mine on Android?

You probably have different versions of the application. Telegram for iOS sometimes receives updates earlier than for AndroidCheck the version is up to date in Google Play or install APK from the official website. Also make sure you don't have animations disabled in your phone's performance settings.

Is it safe to use commands in @debug?

Commands like /set_xmas_mode refers to experimental functions i do not harm the device. However, they can lead to unstable operation Telegram (for example, crashes or slow loading of chats). If after the command the messenger starts to slow down, roll back the changes or reinstall the application.

Is it possible to enable snow in Telegram Web or on PC?

Yes, snow also appears in desktop versions Telegram (Windows/macOS/Linux) during the same period - from December 1 to 15. JanuaryIf there is no effect, update the application or clear the cache after Settings → Advanced → Clear cache.

How to make snow fall only in one chat?

Unfortunately Telegram does not support selective display of snow in individual dialogs The effect is either enabled. globally (in all chats), or disabled completely. An alternative is to use winter themes or background images only for the desired dialogue.