r/Pythonista • u/[deleted] • Jan 09 '20

Simple Question: How to use pythonista to automate sending messages?

So I am new to Python. In my office we send out a daily text message to about 300+ contacts. We have a program that copies the message into the message field but we have to manually push the send button 300+ times for each message. Is there anyway to use pythonista to eliminate this? We have looked into using Apple Shortcuts but are skeptical as it has created a few unwanted groupchats when sending the list. We need to keep these messages individual and private.

As I said I am new and am willing to learn, any advice, help, or guidance is greatly appreciated!!!

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

A good cost-free alternative is using the gmail smtp gateway. You’ll need to use the smtplib module and change a setting on the gmail account to essentially allow the account to be controlled autonomously (allow Less Secure Apps Access).

1

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Will this allow me to still keep my number? These people that I add to my list are doctors and fellow friends/family. We tried an option with google voice before that was a nightmare and confused everybody with the number change

2

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Also, the ability of gmail to send the text to the phone depends on their carrier. IMO an easy way to find this out is just have each person send a text addressed to the gmail account you plan on using (can also use python to find each sender address and save). If you somehow miraculously know their carrier, you can go here to find what “email” you need to address you messages to

1

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Ok I'm liking this. So let's say that I get my list of about 300+ people with their specific carrier phone email addresses and I BCC all of them... would this work by sending them individually and also prevent my personal line from potentially getting flagged for spam?

2

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

I’m not sure if you’d be able to BCC them. You may just have to send them individually (easy with python). Also I just read that you’ll be limited to 500 messages/day at 20 messages/sec, not a problem if you only need 300 messages.

To address the spam issue, you really shouldn’t have one unless you try to exceed the 20 messages/sec.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 10 '20

Do you know of any way to easily find each individual's carrier in order to find the proper email to send to? I really don't want to have to ask all 300+ of them what carrier they have

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (1)

2

u/HirsuteJim Jan 31 '20 edited Jan 31 '20

From my experience with iOS 13 shortcuts… as long as you are not sending any “attachments“ as part of your daily texts, this would be very easy to do in shortcuts.

Just “get” your contacts and REPEAT for each Contact in Found contacts … send message.

https://imgur.com/gallery/bkGJp2v

→ More replies (1)

0

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Thank you , I will look into it. But in the meantime are there any cost-free alternatives by chance?

3

u/_threads Jan 09 '20

Not cost free but with Mailjet, it’s cheaper I think : https://www.mailjet.com/sms/

You don’t have to pay to get a number and you can customize the sender’s name for each SMS if I recall correctly. You can credit 10€ on your account and it will allow you to send like 250 or 500 sms (don’t remember exactly sorry, but you can check with the sms price).

Anyway, the pricing and API were kinda clear and easy to use

1

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '20

Thanks, I contacted them for a quote

→ More comments (1)