Telegram's Show 18+ Content Setting: What It Does and Where

What the setting does

Photos and videos that have been marked as suitable only for adults appear blurred, with an 18+ label. Tapping one asks: "This media may contain sensitive content suitable only for adults. Do you still want to view it?" You can choose View Anyway for that one item, or Always show 18+ media, which turns on the setting below.

The setting is called Show 18+ Content, described as "Do not hide media that contains content suitable only for adults." It is off by default.

Where the setting is

On Android it is at the very bottom of Chat Settings, in the Other Settings section. On Telegram Desktop it sits in a Sensitive content section of Chat Settings. Depending on the device and region, the item may not be shown at all.

If you choose "Always show 18+ media" from a blurred item, the app reminds you where to change it back: "You can update the visibility of sensitive media in Chat Settings > Show 18+ Content."

What the setting does not do

• It does not open restricted channels. A channel that "can't be displayed" because of local laws or app store rules stays hidden whatever this setting says. See 'This channel can't be displayed'.
• It does not bring back removed content. Channels and bots that Telegram took down are gone for everyone.
• It does not filter chats. It only decides whether media already marked as adult is blurred.

Turning the setting off again blurs that media once more. Next step: how to tell if someone blocked you.