How to send messages to a WhatsApp group from shell script

Using the WhatsMate WA Gateway REST API

Posted on April 9, 2017   Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Share on Google+

Last reviewed: April 17, 2024  

This article shows you how to send a message to a WhatsApp group from a shell script.

You MUST obtain the secret gateway number by signing up for a Forever Green account before you can send a message to a WhatsApp group. Instructions are available on the official site.

To send a WhatsApp group message from a shell script, do this:

  1. Create a new group with a unique name. The API won’t work if it’s not unique.
    • Create a new WhatsApp group

  2. Add the secret gateway to the group.
    • Name the WhatsApp group

  3. Say “Hi” to the group to let the gateway recognize the new group.
  4. Copy the following source code to your script.
  5. Customize the TODO lines in the script:
    • Specify your gateway instance ID on line 3.
    • Specify your Client ID and Client secret on lines 4 and 5.
    • Specify the group admin number (i.e. your WhatsApp number including the country code) on line 10.
    • Specify the group name (e.g. Happy Club) on line 11.
    • Specify the content of the message on line 12.
  6. Make your script executable: chmod 755 send-whatsapp-group-message.sh
  7. Run the script to send your message: ./send-whatsapp-group-message.sh

As mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial, you will need a trial account to call the above API. Go sign up now.

Happy coding :)