macOS Version Checker and Notifier (Python version)

This Python script checks for the latest version of macOS on the official Apple support page and notifies users via Telegram if a new version is detected. It keeps track of the versions previously detected and sends an alert only when a new version is available. The script uses a configuration file to store Telegram bot settings and recipient information.

Features

• Automated macOS Version Check: Fetches the current macOS version information from the official Apple support page.
• Telegram Notifications: Sends a Telegram message when a new macOS version is detected.
• Version Tracking: Maintains a record of the previously detected macOS versions to avoid redundant notifications.
• Configurable Settings: Uses a separate config.ini file for easy configuration of Telegram bot credentials and recipient information.

Usage

Clone the Repository:

git clone https://github.com/collmalpa/macos-version-checker-python.git
cd macos-version-checker-python

Create and Edit config.ini:

Create a config.ini file with the following content:

[Telegram]
TOKEN = your_telegram_bot_token
chat_id = your_chat_id

[URLs]
macOS_info_url = https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

[Files]
output_file = LatestMacOSVersion.txt

[macOSforSearch]
macOSforSearch = Sonoma 14

Fill in your Telegram bot credentials.

Run the Script:

python3 macos_version_checker.py

Schedule the Script with Cron:

It's recommended to add this script to cron to run at regular intervals. This ensures you are promptly notified when a new macOS version is available.

To add the script to cron:

1. Open the cron table for editing:

   crontab -e

2. Add a new cron job to run the script at your desired frequency (e.g., hourly):

   0 * * * * /usr/bin/python3 /path/to/your/macos_version_checker.py

3. Save and close the cron table.

Docker Setup

You can also run this script in a Docker container with a scheduled cron job. Follow these steps to build and run the Docker container.

Prerequisites

• Docker installed on your machine

Building the Docker Image

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/collmalpa/macos-version-checker-python.git
   cd macos-version-checker-python

2. Build the Docker image:

   docker build -t macos-version-checker .

Running the Docker Container

To run the Docker container, use the following command:

docker run -d --name macos-version-checker macos-version-checker

This command runs the container in detached mode. The script inside the container is scheduled to run every hour, as specified in the crontab file.

Note

The method of sending notifications via Telegram is secure and efficient. For modern applications, Telegram provides a robust API that can be easily integrated with Python scripts for various notification purposes.

This script is an evolution of a previous one I wrote in PowerShell (https://github.com/collmalpa/macos-version-checker), which had certain limitations.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please open an issue or submit a pull request for any improvements or bug fixes.