Twitter is a social networking site where users post short messages called "tweets" that other users (or "followers") can read. Users can also use Twitter from their mobile phones through text messages. However, before Twitter can be accessed by texting, the phone number must be activated and the mobile phone service provider must be supported.
Add a Phone to Twitter
Before you can post tweets via text message, your mobile phone number must be added to your Twitter account. A text message with the word "START" must be sent from your phone to a special code based on the country where you reside. Two separate reply texts will be sent from Twitter asking for your username and password. After your username and password are texted, you will then have to reply to another text with "OK" to finish adding the phone to your account.
Mobile Provider Support
Not all mobile phone providers are currently supported by Twitter for sending tweets via text. If you do not see a code for your country or the name of your mobile phone provider in the list of codes, this means that you will not be able to send tweets from your phone. However, some locations and providers may still able to have limited access to Twitter by using the long codes found on the code page.
Tweeting Via Texts
Once your mobile phone is added to your Twitter account, you can send tweets from your phone by texting the message to the same code number used in the previous step. The text message will then appear as a tweet on your Twitter profile. Pictures can also be posted on Twitter through text messages by attaching the image. It is recommended to check the account on a computer after sending a tweet via text message to make sure that it has successfully posted.
Twitter Text Notifications
You can receive text messages notifying you of new tweets from followed users, direct messages and several other activities. To turn on text notifications, you must log in to your Twitter account on a computer and visit the "Settings" page. Under the "Mobile" tab, you can select what notifications you want to receive.
If any problems are experienced when adding your phone to your Twitter account, text the word "STOP" to the special code and restart the process. Also, make sure that the texts containing the username and password of your Twitter account only contain those details and no other unnecessary characters or punctuation. Turn off any automatic capitalization on the phone, as usernames and passwords are case sensitive and capital letters may cause adding a phone to a Twitter account to fail.
Smartphone Twitter Apps
Alternatively, smartphone users can install the Twitter app to send and receive tweets on a mobile phone without having to use texts. Official Twitter apps are available for iPhone, Android and Windows 7 devices. However, other smartphone platforms may have unofficial apps for accessing Twitter without having to use text messages.
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