The fastest way to add music to a TikTok

The easiest way to add music is to choose it before you film. Open TikTok, tap the plus sign at the bottom, then tap the music note icon at the top of the screen. Search for or browse the song you want, tap it, and film your video while the music plays. TikTok will sync the audio to your footage automatically.

If you've already filmed a video without music, you can add a song afterward. Open the video in the editor, tap "Sounds" at the bottom, then search for the track you want and tap it to add it to your clip. You can adjust where the song starts and how loud it plays.

TikTok's music library includes millions of songs, from current hits to older tracks, remixes, and sounds created by other users. Not every song in the world is available — licensing agreements determine what you can use — but the selection is large enough that you'll usually find something that fits what you're making.

Key Takeaways

  • Add music before filming by tapping the music note icon in the camera screen, then film while the song plays.
  • Add music after filming by opening your video in the editor, tapping "Sounds," and selecting a track from TikTok's library.
  • You can adjust the volume of the music and choose where in the song your video starts playing.
  • Music added through TikTok's library is licensed for use on the platform, so your video won't be muted or flagged for copyright.
  • If you want to use a song that isn't in TikTok's library, you'll need to upload it as a video file with the audio already attached.

Adding music before you start filming

Filming with music playing in real time helps you stay on beat and makes the final video feel more natural. Open TikTok and tap the plus sign at the bottom center of the screen to enter the camera. At the top, you'll see several icons — tap the one that looks like a musical note.

A search bar will appear. Type the name of the song, artist, or even a few lyrics if you remember them. TikTok will show you matching results. Tap the song you want, and it will start playing. You'll see a waveform at the top showing where you are in the track. Now you can film your video — TikTok records both your video and the audio together.

If you want to start the song partway through instead of at the beginning, tap the song title again after you've selected it. A slider will appear showing the full length of the track. Drag it to the point where you want the music to begin, then start filming.

Adding music to a video you've already filmed

If you filmed without music or want to replace the audio, you can add a song in the editor. After you finish filming, tap the checkmark to move to the editing screen. At the bottom, you'll see several options — tap "Sounds."

A new screen will open showing TikTok's sound library. Search for the song you want the same way you would before filming — by song name, artist, or lyrics. When you find it, tap it to add it to your video. The song will play over your footage, and TikTok will automatically adjust the volume so both your video audio and the music are audible (if your video has sound).

If you want to change where the music starts, tap the song title in the editor. A slider will appear showing the full track. Drag it to choose your starting point. You can also adjust the volume of the music separately from any other audio in your video by tapping the volume icon next to the song name.

Adjusting volume and timing

Once you've added music, you may need to balance it with other sounds in your video — like your voice, background noise, or video clips that came with their own audio. In the editor, tap the song name to see volume controls. You can turn the music up or down without affecting other audio in your clip.

To change when the music starts, tap the song title again and use the slider to pick a new point in the track. This is useful if you want the chorus to hit at a specific moment in your video or if you want to skip an intro. You can also trim your video to match the length of the song, or let the song play longer than your footage — TikTok will stop the audio when your video ends.

Why some songs aren't available

TikTok's music library is large, but it doesn't include every song ever recorded. The songs available depend on licensing deals between TikTok and record labels, artists, and music publishers. Some artists or labels choose not to license their music to TikTok, which means you won't find those songs in the app.

If you search for a song and it doesn't appear, it's likely not licensed for TikTok use. You have two options: choose a different song from the library, or upload a video file that already has the music attached to it (though TikTok may mute it if the audio isn't licensed).

Using sounds created by other TikTok users

TikTok's sound library includes not just official songs but also audio clips, remixes, and sounds created by other users. When you search for music, you'll see both official tracks and user-created sounds in the results. You can use any of these the same way you'd use an official song — just tap it to add it to your video.

When you use a sound created by another user, TikTok credits them on your video. This is how trends spread on TikTok — one person creates a sound or a phrase, and thousands of other users build videos around it. If you use a popular user-created sound, your video may be more likely to appear on the "For You" page because the algorithm recognizes that sound as trending.

What happens if you upload music that isn't licensed

If you try to upload a video file that contains music TikTok doesn't recognize or hasn't licensed, the app may mute the audio, lower the volume significantly, or prevent you from sharing the video. This is TikTok's way of protecting itself from copyright claims.

To avoid this, always use music from TikTok's built-in library when possible. If you want to use a song that isn't available in the app, you'll need to contact the copyright holder or the artist directly to get permission, which is rarely practical for casual videos. For most creators, sticking to TikTok's library is the simplest approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same song as other TikTok creators?

Yes. Many popular TikTok videos use the same song or sound, especially trending audio. Using a trending sound can actually help your video reach more people because the algorithm recognizes it as popular. You're not copying if you use the same music — you're participating in a trend.

What if I want to use a song that's not in TikTok's library?

Your best option is to find a similar song that is available. If you upload a video with unlicensed music, TikTok will likely mute it or lower the volume. Getting permission from the copyright holder is possible but difficult and usually not worth the effort for a casual video.

Can I adjust the music volume separately from other sounds in my video?

Yes. In the editor, tap the song name to access volume controls. You can turn the music up or down independently from any other audio in your clip, like your voice or background noise.

Do I have to use music from TikTok's library, or can I upload my own?

You can upload a video file that already has music attached, but TikTok may mute or lower the volume if the audio isn't licensed. Using TikTok's built-in library is the safest way to may support your video plays with full audio and won't be flagged.

What's the difference between official songs and user-created sounds?

Official songs are released by artists and labels. User-created sounds are audio clips made by other TikTok users — they might be remixes, funny phrases, or original audio. Both work the same way in the app, and using either one will credit the source on your video.