Start the bot first
A Telegram bot cannot begin a private conversation on its own. Send the bot a message before looking for the chat ID or attempting the StudyChime test.
Prolific Telegram notifications
Get instant Prolific Telegram alerts on your phone.
StudyChime is a Chrome extension that can send Prolific Telegram alerts to your phone and other Telegram devices when a study visible on your open Prolific studies page matches your alert settings.
You create and control the Telegram bot used for delivery, so the destination stays private to the chat or group you choose.
How it works
How Prolific Telegram notifications work.
StudyChime watches the Prolific studies page you already have open in Chrome. When a visible study matches your alert settings, your browser sends the alert directly to Telegram using your saved bot token and chat ID. StudyChime does not relay the message through a StudyChime notification server.
Your computer must remain awake, Chrome must stay running, and the Prolific studies page must remain open. The tab does not need to remain active or visible, so you can continue using other tabs while StudyChime monitors it.
Your bot token and chat ID remain in Chrome extension storage on your device. Telegram then makes the alert available on your phone and other devices signed in to your account.
What you need
- A Telegram account and access to BotFather
- A private chat or controlled group for alerts
- The bot token and the destination chat ID
- StudyChime running with the Prolific studies page open
Setup
Create a bot, identify the chat, and test it.
Telegram setup has two separate credentials: the bot token identifies the sender and the chat ID identifies the destination.
Create your bot
Open BotFather in Telegram, create a new bot, and copy the token it provides. Keep the token private because it controls the bot.
Start the conversation
Open your new bot and send it a message. For a group destination, add the bot to the controlled group and send a message there.
Find the chat ID
Follow the StudyChime Telegram guide to retrieve the update information and copy the ID for the exact private chat or group you intend to use.
Save and test
Enable Telegram in StudyChime, enter the bot token and chat ID, then send a test alert. Confirm it reaches the intended conversation on both desktop and mobile.
Practical details
Avoid the common bot and chat ID mistakes.
Telegram delivery depends on pairing a valid token with the correct conversation ID.
Choose the correct update
If your bot appears in several conversations, Telegram updates may contain several IDs. Match the update to the message you sent in the intended private chat or group.
Protect the token
Anyone with the bot token may be able to control the bot. If the token is exposed, revoke it through BotFather, create a replacement, and update StudyChime.
Group destinations
Use only a private group whose membership you control. Group chat IDs can look different from private chat IDs, and the bot must remain present with permission to post.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Does StudyChime provide a shared Telegram bot?
No. You create and control your own Telegram bot, then save its token and your selected chat ID in StudyChime.
Why has my Telegram bot not sent anything?
Start the bot conversation first, verify the token and chat ID, and send a StudyChime test. For a group, confirm the bot is still a member and can post messages.
Can Telegram alerts go to a group?
They can go to a private group you control, but StudyChime is not intended for public groups or shared study feeds. Every group member may be able to see the alert contents.
Where are the Telegram token and chat ID stored?
They remain in Chrome extension storage on your device and are used to send messages to Telegram. They are not used to create a shared StudyChime alert feed.
How do I change the Telegram destination?
Find the chat ID for the new private conversation or group, replace the saved ID in StudyChime, and send a fresh test before relying on live alerts.
Compare alert methods
Choose where StudyChime should notify you.
You can use one alert method or combine several. Each option still depends on the Prolific studies page being open in Chrome.
StudyChime is an independent Chrome extension and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Prolific. Questions about StudyChime can be sent tosupport@studychime.com.