Twitter Spaces Recording: Now Available to iOS Testers

Twitter Introduces Recording Feature for Spaces

Last month, Twitter announced the impending arrival of a recording capability for its live audio sessions within Twitter Spaces. This feature will enable hosts to preserve their audio conversations for later access. Given the company’s recent acceleration in product development, the initial rollout of this functionality is commencing today, sooner than the initially projected “few months.”

Initial Availability and Rollout

The Spaces Recording option is being initially released to a select group of Twitter Spaces hosts utilizing iOS devices. All listeners, regardless of platform, on both iOS and Android will also have access. Twitter confirms that priority access is being granted to participants of the original Spaces Beta program.

A wider distribution of the feature to the broader Twitter user base is planned over the coming weeks, according to the company’s statements.

How to Record a Space

Hosts initiating a live audio room will follow the standard procedure of assigning a title and selecting up to three relevant tags to categorize the discussion. A new setting, labeled “Record Space,” will then be available to toggle on.

Once activated, the host can proceed to start the live audio session by tapping the “Start a Space” button.

Indicating a Recording is in Progress

Participants joining a Twitter Space that is currently being recorded will be visually alerted. A “Rec” button, accompanied by a red indicator dot, will be displayed prominently at the top of the Space interface.

Ending a Recorded Space

To conclude the Space, the host will utilize the “End” button located in the top-right corner, as they normally would. A confirmation prompt will then appear, requesting the host to verify their intention to both end the Space and halt the recording.

Sharing and Accessing Recordings

Upon completion, the recorded Space can be readily shared across the Twitter platform. This allows listeners to access the content at their convenience or redistribute it further. Currently, Twitter does not offer a direct audio export function.

Users seeking direct access to their recordings will need to request a download of their data.

The Rise and Evolution of Live Audio

The popularity of live audio platforms experienced a surge during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a means of connection for individuals confined to their homes. However, engagement has somewhat decreased as restrictions have eased and social activities have resumed.

For instance, the live audio application Clubhouse witnessed a decline in app installations earlier this year, although a subsequent increase occurred with the release of its Android version.

Adapting to Asynchronous Listening

Clubhouse has recently expanded its capabilities to incorporate features supporting asynchronous listening, including clips, replays, and audio exports. These additions are positioning the app more as a podcast creation tool than a purely live audio network.

Competition and the Need to Catch Up

Several competitors to Twitter Spaces, such as Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms and emerging platforms like Fireside and Callin, already provide audio recording functionality. Therefore, the introduction of this feature by Twitter was essential to remain competitive.

Recent Updates to Twitter Spaces

This release follows closely on the heels of other enhancements to Twitter Spaces. These include the launch of a Spaces test bringing a dedicated Spaces Tab to Android users and an update facilitating easier DM invitations.

Furthermore, Twitter will now showcase trending Spaces within the Explore / Trending tab on iOS, increasing their visibility to a wider audience.