how do you update twitter by sms?

i only just started using twitter, so i guess i just missed the notify (in ps), but imvho if youre moving something to another server, the best way to do it is to leave it on the old server while you upload to the new server, test it, then redirect the DNS records...

The form is not at all clear--it very much looks like that form is for allowing Twitter to SEND messages, not for you to send to Twitter. I want to send from my phone but not to receive on it, and there's not a way to do that on the form. It won't let you submit without clicking to accept reception of messages on the phone. Odd, frustrating, and confusing.

Once you've completed the form and your phone is validated, you'll see an option that lets you set mobile notifications to OFF so you don't receive updates from the people that you're following via sms.

The checkbox (It’s okay for Twitter to send txt messages to my phone. Std. rates apply.) is required (even if you don't want to receive updates) because there may be times when Twitter will need to send you sms messages in response to a request that you sent via sms.

For example, if you send "help" via sms, Twitter will reply with an SMS message listing the valid commands. The same is true for other sms commands, such as stats, track, on, off...

and about how long does this verification take? the first time i tried to verify my number i sent the confirmation code sms to 40404 (i'm in the us of a) and waited about 24 hours to put up my first mobile post. much to my dismay, it never posted and the sidebar was still urging me to add my mobile device. i resent the confirmation code sms and waited two days...my device still wasn't added. i just "delete and start over"-ed it and sent the new code in. how many days/weeks should i wait until i am finally able to see "Twitter really shine"?

I have been trying to do this all week. I keep sending the confirmation code to 40404 (I'm in the US) but the device never gets validated!!

In my experience, it usually takes less than a minute to verify the phone once you've sent the confirmation code.

Out of curiosity -- does Twitter respond by asking you for your name when you send the confirmation code? If yes, then it means you're able to reach Twitter (that's good) but Twitter isn't able to match your phone number to the number that's in your profile (that's bad).

If Twitter doesn't respond at all, it's possible that your mobile phone account has shortcodes (like 40404) blocked. In other threads here, some Sprint users have had to call customer service to get shortcodes unblocked.

How do I know its verified?

Can you provide the steps?

Hi Yi May. To verify your phone:

1. Go to http://twitter.com/devices (login required)

2. Add your phone number in the form provided on that page. Please make sure you use the format + countrycode areacode phonenumber.

For example, if you're in the US, the country code is 1, so your number would be something like: +12225551212 (assuming 222 is the area code and 5551212 is your phone number).

3. After you've added the phone number, Twitter will display a verification code that you will need to send as an sms message from your phone to Twitter. The number varies depending on the country you're in. The Devices page will automatically show you the correct number.

4. Send the verification code via sms. If you had entered your phone number correctly, Twitter will verify your phone.

To check if it has been verified, refresh or reload the Devices page. If it is still asking you to send the verification code, then there was a problem. If it was successfully verified, the verification code will no longer be displayed.

Twitter also has a Phone Verification troubleshooting FAQ page that provides additional info.

Hope that helps!

is there any way to recieve twitter updates on your mobile, or can you only send to twitter from your mobile?

Antonie, if you're in the US, Canada, or India, you can receive sms updates from Twitter directly. The first step is to verify your phone (click here for instructions)

If you're outside of those three countries, you can only send updates via sms but not receive them from Twitter. However, there are third-party sms alternatives (click here for a list) that can send you your Twitter updates for a fee. 8-)