How to send an image to a Telegram user from shell script

Using the WhatsMate Telegram Gateway REST API

Posted on June 17, 2022   Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter Share on Google+

Last reviewed: April 17, 2024  

This article shows you how to send an image to a registered Telegram user from a shell script.

Before the recipient can receive your Telegram message, she MUST register with the WhatsMate Telegram Gateway. Instructions are available on the official site. Unregistered users will never receive messages from the Gateway.

To send a Telegram message containing an image from a shell script, do this:

  1. First, learn how to send a simple text message on the official site.
  2. With the above knowledge, you can now download our sample code.
  3. Locate the file bash/send-telegram-image.sh.
  4. Study the script and customize the TODO/FIXME lines.
    • Among other things, put down YOUR OWN number as the recipient. You can’t send messages to strangers because we are against SPAMMERS.
  5. Change to the directory containing the script: cd bash
  6. Run the script to send yourself the first image: ./send-telegram-image.sh

Happy coding :)