Telegram php example send message

2 min read 07-10-2024

Sending Telegram Messages with PHP: A Simple Guide

Want to send messages to your Telegram users directly from your PHP application? This guide will walk you through the process, providing you with a clear understanding of how to implement this functionality.

The Problem: Connecting PHP to Telegram

Sending messages to Telegram users requires interaction with the Telegram Bot API. This API allows you to control various aspects of your bot, including sending messages. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between your PHP code and the Telegram Bot API.

Solution: The Telegram Bot PHP Library

The easiest way to connect your PHP application to the Telegram Bot API is by utilizing the php-telegram-bot library. This library simplifies the process by providing an intuitive interface for sending messages, handling user interactions, and more.

Setting Up Your Telegram Bot

Create a Bot: Start by creating a Telegram bot using the BotFather on Telegram. This will generate a unique Bot Token that you'll need for authentication.
Get Your Bot Token: The BotFather will provide you with your bot's access token. This token is crucial for interacting with your bot's API. Keep it safe and secret.

Sending Your First Telegram Message

Let's dive into the code.

<?php
// Include the Telegram Bot PHP library
require_once 'vendor/autoload.php';

// Your Bot Token
$botToken = 'YOUR_BOT_TOKEN';

// Create a new Telegram Bot instance
$telegram = new Longman\TelegramBot\Telegram($botToken, 'YourBotName');

// Define the chat ID of your recipient
$chatId = 'YOUR_CHAT_ID';

// Send a message
$result = $telegram->sendMessage([
    'chat_id' => $chatId,
    'text' => 'Hello from PHP!',
]);

// Check if the message was sent successfully
if ($result->isOk()) {
    echo "Message sent successfully!";
} else {
    echo "Error sending message: " . $result->getDescription();
}
?>

Explanation:

Include the library: We include the php-telegram-bot library using require_once.
Bot Token: Replace YOUR_BOT_TOKEN with your actual Bot Token.
Create a Telegram Bot instance: We initialize the Telegram object using your bot's token.
Recipient's Chat ID: Replace YOUR_CHAT_ID with the chat ID of the user you want to send the message to. You can find a user's chat ID by starting a conversation with your bot and then using a Telegram API testing tool like https://api.telegram.org/botYOUR_BOT_TOKEN/getUpdates.
Send the message: We use sendMessage() to send the message. The text parameter contains the message content.
Error Handling: The code checks if the message was sent successfully and displays an error message if it wasn't.

Additional Features

The php-telegram-bot library offers a wide array of features beyond simple messaging:

Keyboard support: Create interactive buttons and menus for your users.
File uploading: Send images, videos, and documents.
User information retrieval: Access user names, profile pictures, and more.
Commands: Define and handle custom commands from your users.

Conclusion

Sending Telegram messages from your PHP application is now a straightforward task thanks to the php-telegram-bot library. This guide has equipped you with the basic knowledge and code examples to get started. Remember to explore the documentation for more advanced features and to create engaging bot interactions for your users.

References

php-telegram-bot Library: https://packagist.org/packages/longman/telegram-bot
Telegram Bot API: https://core.telegram.org/bots/api
Telegram BotFather: https://t.me/BotFather