What is the Media Library?


The Media Library lets you upload and manage media files that you want to use in MMS messages, like images, videos, PDFs and more. The media library automatically transcodes media to optimize for carrier deliverability by compressing files and converting them into supported formats. 


This guide covers how to add and manage media, what file types and sizes are supported, and how to resolve common issues.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


File Requirements and Transcoding

The media library supports image, video, gif and pdf files. For a complete list of file types and extensions, see the table in our guide: What is MMS in ThruText?


Mobile carriers support media files up to 750 KB in an MMS message. To help meet that threshold, our media library will transcode, or compress and convert, your media to an acceptable size and format for MMS. 


You can upload files up to 10 MB. If your file is greater than 750 KB, it will be compressed while trying to maintain image quality and resolution. If your file is less than 750 KB, it won't be compressed as significantly, but it will be converted into an acceptable format for MMS, where minimal compression might occur. 


PDF files are not compressed by the media library but are typically small enough to meet the size limit.


Managing Media in your Media Library

To add a media file, expand the ThruText menu in the left sidebar navigation menu, then expand ThruText Tools, and then click Media Library.

Screenshot of the "ThruText Tools" section of the navy leftside menu with a green rectangle bringing attention to the "Media Library."

Click Add media to library to add media. After uploading, your media files will appear in the Media Library. Larger files, like videos, may take some time to finish transcoding, so wait a few minutes as the file may take some time to appear. If the file takes too long to upload, check out the Troubleshooting section at the bottom of this guide.


You can click the three vertical dots next to each file to open a flyout menu.

This image shows the media library with some files uploaded. It highlights the three vertical dots that can be clicked to open a flyout menu with actions.

  • Open: View the file in a new browser tab. 
  • Archive: Hide the image from the media library and prevent it from being added to new campaigns.


If the final compressed version still exceeds 750KB, the uploaded file will show a failed error message.

This image shows a file where compression failed.

(U.S. Only) Submitting Sample Media 

If you're texting U.S. contacts, you must submit a sample media file to our vetting partner for each use case you want to send MMS messages from. You'll have to complete Use Case Registration and receive an approved use case before you can complete this part of the process. 


Once you've done that, go to the Brand & Use Case Registration page, and click Browse Media Library.

This image shows the Browse Media Library button on the Brand & Use Case Registration page.

You'll select a media file from your Media Library and submit. MMS approval usually takes seconds. Read more about this here: Adding Sample MMS to a Use Case.


Best Practices and Info for the Media Library

  • Transcoding: Transcoding may slightly affect resolution, colors, or frame rates. Most changes will be imperceptible, but files less than 750 KB are not compressed. Consider reducing the file size before uploading your media to reduce the effects of transcoding. Read more about this here: Resizing your Media.
  • PDF Files: When you upload a PDF, the preview will appear as a default placeholder instead of a preview or thumbnail. Click the vertical dots and choose Open to view a PDF.
  • Video MMS: Videos are typically compressed significantly and take longer to transcode. Read more about Video MMS here: Resizing your Media.
  • User Permission Levels: Only admins and account owners can make changes to the Media Library. To change a user's permission levels refer to our guide on managing a user's permissions: Managing User Permission Levels.

Troubleshooting

  • Media taking too long to upload: Larger files may take longer to upload, so if a file hasn't uploaded after 2-3 minutes, refresh your browser and check if it's complete. If it takes longer than 5 minutes, there may be an issue with the file, such as a special character in the media file name. Try renaming the file entirely to something short with no spaces and try uploading again. Avoid default Mac screenshot names with timestamps, which contain special characters.
  • Upload Failed: Media can fail to upload if it's greater than 10 MB before uploading or greater than 750 KB after transcoding. If the media is less than 750 KB after transcoding but still failing, reach out to support@getthru.io for further troubleshooting