How I Built a Telegram Video Avatar Bot With Python and FFmpeg

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Learn how to build a Telegram video avatar bot using Python and FFmpeg to convert videos to compatible formats

intermediate Published 21 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Record a short video clip using a device like an iPhone
Use FFmpeg to convert the video from HEVC (H.265) to H.264, a format compatible with Telegram's video avatar system
Write a Python script to interact with the Telegram API and upload the converted video as an avatar
Test the bot to ensure it works correctly and handles potential errors
Deploy the bot on a server or platform to make it accessible to users

Who Needs to Know This

This project is beneficial for developers and engineers who want to create custom Telegram bots or automate tasks, especially those interested in video processing and conversion

Key Insight

💡 Telegram's video avatar system only accepts H.264 videos, so converting from HEVC (H.265) is necessary

Key Takeaways

Learn how to build a Telegram video avatar bot using Python and FFmpeg to convert videos to compatible formats

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Title: How I Built a Telegram Video Avatar Bot With Python and FFmpeg

URL Source: https://dev.to/liveavabot/how-i-built-a-telegram-video-avatar-bot-with-python-and-ffmpeg-o9p

Published Time: 2026-04-21T13:05:20Z

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Posted on Apr 21

# How I Built a Telegram Video Avatar Bot With Python and FFmpeg

[#telegram](https://dev.to/t/telegram)[#python](https://dev.to/t/python)[#ffmpeg](https://dev.to/t/ffmpeg)[#showdev](https://dev.to/t/showdev)

I tried to set a video avatar on Telegram last month. Recorded a short clip on my iPhone, uploaded it, and nothing happened. No error message. No toast notification. Telegram just silently rejected it.

Turns out iPhone records in HEVC (H.265) by default since the iPhone 7. Telegram's video avatar system only accepts H.264. When you upload HEVC, the server validates it, fails, and tells you absolutely nothing.

I spent two hours thinking my internet connection was broken before I figured this out.

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How I Built a Telegram Video Avatar Bot With Python and FFmpeg

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