Desktop Notification to SMS Gateway on Fedora Linux

This project listens for desktop notifications (e.g., Gmail, WhatsApp Web, Instagram) on a Fedora desktop and forwards them as SMS using a USB GSM modem and Gammu. It’s designed to run autonomously in the background and persist through lid close and modem replugging.

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Features

• Captures desktop notifications via dbus-monitor
• Parses app name, sender, and message content
• Sends SMS alerts using Gammu
• Runs persistently via user-level systemd service
• Survives lid-close by overriding suspend behavior
• Handles modem disconnects using udev symlink
• Autosuspend workaround for reliable modem operation

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Prerequisites

• Fedora Linux
• USB GSM modem supported by Gammu (e.g. Huawei, ZTE, etc.)
• Python 3.8+
• Packages: gammu, gammu-smsd, dbus, python3-dbus, dbus-tools

Install dependencies:

sudo dnf install python3-dbus gammu gammu-smsd dbus-tools

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Folder Structure

notify-sms/
├── notify_sms.py         # Python script that listens and sends SMS
├── gammu.config          # Gammu config with modem details
├── notify_sms.service    # systemd user service file
└── README.md

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1. Python Script

Create notify_sms.py inside the project directory. It listens for notifications and invokes Gammu to send SMS messages.

Make it executable:

chmod +x notify_sms.py

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2. Gammu Configuration

Create gammu.config in the project folder:

[gammu]
port = /dev/gsm_modem
connection = at

This config assumes your USB modem is symlinked to /dev/gsm_modem.

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3. Create Udev Rule for Modem Symlink

Handle dynamic USB port assignments by symlinking modem to /dev/gsm_modem.

Create rule:

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-gsm-modem.rules

Add:

SUBSYSTEM=="tty", ATTRS{bInterfaceNumber}=="02", ATTRS{driver}=="option", SYMLINK+="gsm_modem"

Reload udev:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

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4. systemd User Service

Create user service file:

mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user/
nano ~/.config/systemd/user/notify_sms.service

Paste:

[Unit]
Description=Send Desktop Notifications via SMS
After=default.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/python3 /home/karthikey/notify-sms/notify_sms.py
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=default.target

Enable and start the service:

systemctl --user daemon-reload
systemctl --user enable notify_sms.service
systemctl --user start notify_sms.service

Monitor logs:

journalctl --user -u notify_sms.service -f

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5. Prevent Suspend on Lid Close

Make Fedora ignore lid-close actions:

sudo mkdir -p /etc/systemd/logind.conf.d/
sudo nano /etc/systemd/logind.conf.d/logind.conf

Paste:

[Login]
HandleLidSwitch=ignore
HandleLidSwitchDocked=ignore
HandleLidSwitchExternalPower=ignore
LidSwitchIgnoreInhibited=no

Reload:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-logind

You may be logged out temporarily when this is applied.

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6. Disable GNOME’s Power Overrides

Prevent GNOME from auto-suspending:

gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.power sleep-inactive-ac-type 'nothing'
gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.power sleep-inactive-battery-type 'nothing'

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7. Fix USB Modem Autosuspend (if it disconnects after 1 SMS)

Check your modem ID:

lsusb

Then create a rule to keep it powered:

sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-usb-autosuspend.rules

Example rule:

ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="XXXX", ATTR{idProduct}=="YYYY", TEST=="power/control", ATTR{power/control}="on"

Replace XXXX and YYYY with your modem’s Vendor/Product ID.

Reload:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

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8. Testing & Debugging

Add your user to dialout:

sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER
newgrp dialout

Test Gammu manually:

gammu -c gammu.config --identify
gammu -c gammu.config sendsms TEXT <your-phone-number> -text "Test SMS"

Test notifications manually:

notify-send "Test App" "Test SMS body"

Monitor the service:

journalctl --user -u notify_sms.service -f

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Notes

• Tested on Fedora Workstation with GNOME.
• You can easily customize notification filters or message formats in the Python script.
• Can be adapted for other Linux distros with systemd, gammu, and dbus.