You can easily upload video, images, and GIFs to Twitter. However, somehow, making voice Tweets or uploading audio to Twitter (e.g. MP3s and WAVs) has been overlooked for a long time.

Happily, that has finally changed with Twitter's trial of the voice Tweet button and its Spaces feature.

And if you don't have access to either of those options or they're unsuitable, there are other ways you can share audio files on Twitter.

Five Ways to Post Audio to Twitter

Sometimes, audio is just more appropriate than video or text. While it might have shortcomings – you can't privately glance at an MP3, after all – audio is long overdue on Twitter.

The five ways you can post audio to Twitter are:

  1. Voice Tweets
  2. Twitter Spaces
  3. Headliner
  4. Audioboom
  5. Transistor

You'll note that the three third-party solutions all include a graphical aspect to playing audio. In fact, each of these methods creates a video file. This appears to be a requirement of Twitter, which probably explains why you can't otherwise upload audio to Twitter.

Desperate to post audio to Twitter? Here's everything you need to know about how to upload audio to Twitter.

1. Record a Voice Tweet (iPhone Only)

Twitter has rolled out a Voice Tweet feature, but it is limited to iPhone.

How to post audio on Twitter:

  1. Click the Tweet compose button
  2. Tap the Voice button
  3. When prompted, permit Twitter to access the microphone
  4. Tap Record to begin recording the message (up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds)
  5. When you've finished, tap Done
  6. You can thread up to 25 audio Tweets
  7. Add text if necessary, then tap Send

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The finished Tweet should look something like this:

To play a voice Tweet, simply tap or click the thumbnail to listen.

Note that audio Tweets cannot be used with Quote Tweet or sent as a reply to an existing text Tweet or thread.

2. Start an Audio Tweet With Spaces

If you're using Android, Voice Tweets are not available. However, you can use the Spaces features (also on iPhone).

Related: What Are Twitter Spaces?

Twitter Spaces – Twitter's answer to Clubhouse – can be set up reasonably easily. However, unlike the Voice Tweet feature, this is an opportunity to hold a conversation or share thoughts at length. Others may listen in, or if invited, join the conversation.

  1. On the Twitter mobile app, tap Tweet Compose
  2. Select Spaces
  3. Tap Get Started
  4. Give the Space a name and tap Start your space
  5. Tap the Mic button to start, accepting any permissions for the app to use your mic

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A Space can be available to everyone to listen to, but this can be adjusted using the People icon. This way, the Space can be limited to People You Follow, or Only People You Invite to Speak.

Spaces can be scheduled 14 days in advance, and the data can be downloaded, including a transcription. Captions can also be enabled in Spaces to those unable to listen can keep up with the conversation.

3. Use Headliner to Post Voice Recordings on Twitter

Headliner is a free option that lets you post voice recordings and other audio to Twitter and beyond. It's ostensibly a tool for promoting podcasts, designed to create snippets of audio and match them with suitable graphics. There's even a speech-to-text tool to display captions, allowing content to be consumed without sound.

Headliner is easy to use. After creating an account or logging in with Google or Facebook:

  1. Select the Audiogram maker
  2. On the Upload tab, drag and drop or browse your computer for the file (500MB or two-hour maximum upload)
  3. Click Next to open the editor
  4. Select the segment of audio you wish to use
  5. When done, click Next
  6. Select an aspect ratio for the image---square is best for Twitter
  7. Use a template or create a new one, set an image then Create
  8. Here, choose Open advanced editor to add captions, transitions etc., or Export video now
Upload audio to share it to Twitter

A few minutes later the project will be complete, and the download link emailed to you. Click the link to download the file. You can then post the MP3 to Twitter, or simply use the sharing feature to embed it in a new tweet.

Visit: Headliner.app

4. How to Share Audio on Twitter With Audioboom

Formerly known as Audioboo, this service was launched with the express intention of providing an audio tweeting option. Audio uploads were known as "boos" and gained popularity when actor, comedian, writer, and technophile Stephen Fry started using the service.

These days, the renamed service focuses on podcast hosting. Audioboom offers a $9.99/month subscription which isn't ideal for occasional or one-off uploads. However, it does provide great integration and embedding options, making it ideal for regularly uploading audio to share on Twitter.

Using Audioboom is simple. Sign up, record your audio, and then upload it. Alternatively, you can record in the browser window. Once the audio is saved, add a description and an image, then publish the audio. If you have set up your account with social media integration, the audio will be posted to Twitter.

Visit: Audioboom.com

5. Make Audio Tweets With Transistor

Another paid option for podcasters with great Twitter integration, Transistor is a service growing in popularity.

Like Audioboom, however, Transistor is not cheap. Although Transistor offers a free trial (useful for one-off audio uploads), the service is intended for professional podcasters.

To embed Transistor audio in your tweets, sign in and use the New Episode button. Add a name for the upload, set a publishing date, and add the Audio File. Artwork is optional.

Complete the rest of the fields as required, then Save New Episode. Follow the steps to publish the audio on Transistor, then use the Share feature to grab the inline embed link for Twitter.

Once the link is shared to Twitter, the audio can be played by anyone who sees the tweet.

Visit: Transistor.fm

Don't Upload Copyrighted MP3 Files to Twitter!

All information given here is with the understanding that the shared audio is your own.

So, thoughts, jokes, anything that lets you get your message out there if you're unable or unwilling to type. Perhaps some citizen journalism, or your reaction to something amazing and memorable that you want to share.

It's vital, however, that you don't use these tools to share material that you don't own the copyright to. In other words, don't upload MP3 files of your favorite songs to Twitter. For a start off, it's a sure-fire way to have your upload deleted.

And if you're desperate to share music on Twitter? Well, if it's not yours to share, use a Spotify or YouTube link instead.

Now You Know How to Upload Audio to Twitter

By now you should have decided what is the best way of sharing audio tweets on Twitter.

While other solutions seem obvious (SoundCloud for example) they don't offer that all-important inline embed. Instead, your tweet will contain a link to the host site.

If you're uploading media to Twitter, it's important that the audience can sample its contents right on the site. Insisting that they leave Twitter isn't ideal and defeats the object of the effort you've put into creating an audio tweet.