If you've received a Telegram gift — especially from a friend, giveaway, or Telegram bot — you may have seen a button that says Upgrade.
But what does “upgrading” a gift actually do? And why does it matter?
In this post, I’ll explain it all step-by-step — from how upgrades work to what you unlock afterward.
What Is a Telegram Gift Upgrade?
Telegram NFT gifts start out in a limited state.
When someone sends you a gift, you receive an “unupgraded” version. It’s stored in your inventory, but its features are restricted:
- You can’t transfer it freely
- You can’t mint it as an NFT
- You can only burn it for 80% value in stars (within 14 days)
Once you tap Upgrade, the gift becomes a fully usable item.
What Unlocks After Upgrade?
Upgrading a Telegram gift gives you several benefits:
- You can transfer it to another user
- You can mint it to the TON blockchain after 14 days
- You unlock the full collection name, background, and rarity
- You keep the gift forever (it won’t disappear after 14 days)
But there are new rules too:
- After the first free transfer, future transfers cost 25 stars
- Transfers are only allowed after 21 days from upgrade
- Once minted to blockchain — it's permanent
When Should You Upgrade?
Upgrade your gift as soon as you’re sure you want to keep it.
If you’re not sure:
- You can burn it for 80% of its value (stars) during the first 14 days
- After that, you lose that option
Upgrading is required if you want to:
- Hold the gift permanently
- Sell it on external platforms like Tonnel
- Transfer it to someone else
Can You Undo an Upgrade?
No. Upgrading is a one-way action — you can’t reverse it.
Once you upgrade, you commit to that gift being yours (and the timer for minting and transferring begins).
Minting After Upgrade
Minting means sending your gift to the blockchain (as an NFT).
You can only do this:
- 14 days after upgrade
- If the gift hasn’t been transferred recently
- And only once
Minting makes your gift tradable on marketplaces like Fragment or GetGems.
FAQ: Gift Upgrades
Is upgrading free?
Yes. Upgrading itself doesn’t cost anything. But future actions (like transferring or minting) may have costs.
Can I still sell an unupgraded gift?
Only by burning it for 80% in stars (within 14 days). Otherwise, you must upgrade first.
How do I transfer an upgraded gift?
After 21 days, you can transfer it for free once. After that, each transfer costs 25 stars.
Can I mint a gift immediately after upgrading?
No. You must wait 14 days after the upgrade, and the gift must not have been transferred recently.
Is upgrading required to keep the gift forever?
Yes. Unupgraded gifts disappear or become unusable after 14 days.
Upgrading is a small step — but it’s what makes the gift truly yours.
Make sure to track the timers and act before options expire!