Create a Telegram Bot that Sends Daily Pictures: A Google Apps Script Tutorial

Updated at: 08/07/2025

Want to automate sharing daily photos via Telegram? This tutorial shows you how to build a Telegram bot using Google Apps Script. We'll guide you through every step, from bot creation to scheduling daily image delivery. No coding expertise is needed – just follow our simple instructions to create a powerful, automated photo sharing solution. Let's get started!

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Set up Telegram Bot

    • Create a Telegram Bot.
    • Obtain the Bot's API Token.
    Obtain the Bot's API Token. Obtain the Bot's API Token.
    Set up Telegram Bot

  2. Set up Google Apps Script

    • Create a new Google Apps Script project.
    • Store the API token in the script's constants.
    • Store your Chat ID in the script's constants.
    Store your Chat ID in the script's constants. Store your Chat ID in the script's constants. Store your Chat ID in the script's constants.
    Set up Google Apps Script

  3. Get Telegram Chat ID

    • Retrieve your Chat ID from Telegram.
    Retrieve your Chat ID from Telegram.
    Get Telegram Chat ID

  4. Create API Interaction Functions

    • Create functions to fetch daily pictures and text using external APIs.
    Create functions to fetch daily pictures and text using external APIs.
    Create API Interaction Functions

  5. Create Telegram Sending Function

    • Create a function to send the picture and text to the Telegram bot using the `sendPhoto` API method.
    Create a function to send the picture and text to the Telegram bot using the `sendPhoto` API method.
    Create Telegram Sending Function

  6. Schedule Daily Execution

    • Schedule the bot to run daily using Google Apps Script's time-driven triggers.
    Schedule the bot to run daily using Google Apps Script's time-driven triggers.
    Schedule Daily Execution
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Tips

  • Ensure your bot's username ends with 'bot'.
  • Use double quotes around your API token in the Google Apps Script.
  • Consult the Telegram Bot API documentation for detailed information on available methods and parameters.
  • Use `UrlFetchApp.fetch()` to make API requests in Google Apps Script.
  • Use `JSON.parse()` to parse JSON responses from APIs.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Incorrect Bot Token

Reason: Using the wrong Telegram Bot API token will prevent the script from connecting to your bot.
Solution: Double-check that you've copied the correct token from BotFather and pasted it accurately into your Apps Script.

2. Authorization Issues

Reason: The Apps Script might lack the necessary permissions to access Google Drive or other services where your images are stored.
Solution: Authorize the script to access the required Google services by granting the necessary permissions when prompted.

3. Improper Image Handling

Reason: Incorrect file formats, large image sizes, or issues with retrieving images from the source can lead to sending failures.
Solution: Ensure you're using a supported image format, resizing large images before sending, and correctly specifying the image's location and access.

FAQs

What if I don't have any images to send? Will the bot still run?
If no images are found in the specified Google Drive folder, the bot will not send anything that day. Make sure you populate the folder with images daily or adjust the script to handle empty folders gracefully (e.g., send a default message).
Can I send different types of files besides pictures, like videos or PDFs?
While this tutorial focuses on images, you can adapt the script to send other file types. You would need to modify the file selection and MIME type handling within the script to accommodate different file formats. Ensure the file types are supported by Telegram.