This guide tries to cover all the basics of quote tweeting on Twitter because let’s be honest, it’s not super intuitive sometimes. Whether you’re trying to add some spice to a retweet or just want to share your thoughts without rehashing everything, knowing how to quote tweet properly is a nice skill. It’s a way to give context, start conversations, or just make your reply stand out. The catch? It’s easy to get lost in menus, especially on mobile, or miss subtle options that actually let you control replies or customize your comments. After doing this a few times, you’ll find it’s not as complicated as it looks — just sometimes a little fiddly. Using the desktop version or the mobile app, you’ll learn how to effectively quote tweets, tweak your comments, and make sure your message gets across the way you want.

How to Quote Tweet or Post On Twitter

Find the right tweet without losing your mind

First, open up Twitter on your phone or desktop. If you’re on mobile, ensure you’re logged in — and honestly, using the app is usually smoother for quoting than the website. On desktop? Just go to twitter.com. Search or scroll until that perfect tweet catches your eye. Keep in mind, if the tweet is from a private account, you can’t quote it unless you’re a follower and the post is public.

Hit the quote button — it’s not always front and center

This is where it gets tricky. On the tweet, look for the icon with two arrows forming a circle or just a speech bubble with a quote mark. Yes, it’s usually at the bottom of the tweet. If you’re on desktop, you’ll see a few options pop up after clicking the share icon. On mobile, tap that arrow or “share” icon, and look for “Quote Tweet.” It’s kinda weird that Twitter hides it behind other options sometimes, so don’t worry if you need to tap a few menus to find it.

Adding your comment — make it count

Once you tap or click that quote icon, a new window will open with the original tweet embedded. Here’s the sweet part: you get a text box to add your comments or thoughts. This is your shot to make it personal, sarcastic, or insightful. Sometimes, on mobile, the text box can be a bit fiddly, with screens loading slowly or focusing not behaving right. Keep it simple — overthinking your comment might lead to frustration, but honestly, more often than not, it’s just patience that’s needed. Expect your comment to appear embedded with the tweet, ready for your input.

Manage who can reply before you hit send

Before posting, check the reply settings. On mobile, you’ll see options like Everyone can reply or Only people you mention. This is important because some people are surprised when they pick “Everyone” and get flooded by spam. On desktop, these options show up just above the “Repost” button. Use them wisely if you want tight control over who responds to your quote.

Repost or publish — finally, the moment of truth

When everything looks good, hit the Repost or Tweet button. On mobile, it’s usually a bright blue button at the top right; on desktop, a similar position applies. Sometimes, the quote button seems to fail or lag, especially if your internet is flaky. I’ve seen it take a couple of seconds, then suddenly post. Expect that. Once posted, your quote tweet appears on your timeline, with your added comment beneath the original tweet. Easy, right? Well, it’s easy once you get past the awkward menu navigation.

What to expect when you’re quoting vs. retweeting

A quick note: Quote tweets let you add context or commentary. Retweets share the original without input. Use quotes to engage deeper, give opinions, or just make things more fun. If you’re trying to start a convo or share an insight, quote tweet. If you just want to share something without cluttering it, don’t bother — just retweet.

Editing your quote before posting — or not

Want to tweak your comment after typing? Nope, once you hit the post button, it’s pretty much final. You can, of course, delete and redo if needed. Sometimes, the comment box resets if you navigate back, so don’t get frustrated if it feels glitchy. Just keep in mind that Twitter doesn’t allow editing once it’s live, so double-check your message before hitting “Repost.”

Extra tips & common issues: why stuff might not work

Sometimes, the quote button is missing or the reply options won’t load properly. Usually, updating the app or clearing cache helps. Also, if the tweet is from a private account, you can’t quote it unless you’re an approved follower. Twitter’s responsiveness can vary—on some setups, the quote feature works flawlessly, on others, it just doesn’t load or lags like crazy. If it’s not working on your phone, try closing and reopening the app or switching to desktop. And yeah, of course, make sure you’re running the latest version of Twitter for smoother sailing. Because, clearly, Twitter has to make even simple things like quoting more complicated than it should be sometimes.

Summary

  • Find the tweet and look for that quote icon — it’s not always obvious.
  • Tap or click it, add your comment, and set reply permissions if needed.
  • Press the repost button, and your quote tweet will go live.
  • Be aware: editing after posting isn’t an option, so double-check that comment.

Wrap-up

Getting the hang of quoting tweets isn’t exactly rocket science, but Twitter sure loves hiding the options sometimes. With a bit of patience and these tips, it’s doable. Whether you’re adding funny remarks or more serious commentary, mastering quote tweets can make your Twitter game way more engaging. It’s kind of weird how sometimes the buttons are just not there or don’t work as expected, but that’s part of the fun — or frustration. Hopefully, this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just keep in mind, it’s all about experimenting until it clicks.

2025