Adding music to an Instagram post takes a few taps, but the process depends on whether you're posting a photo, a video, or a Reel
Instagram lets you add music to photos and videos before you post them. For photos, you can add a music sticker after you've taken or selected the image. For videos and Reels, you can choose a song from Instagram's music library while you're editing. The music appears as a small sticker on photos, or as a background track on videos — anyone who watches your post will hear it unless they mute their phone.
The exact steps change slightly depending on what you're posting and which device you're using, but the music library is the same across all of them. Instagram's music comes from licensed songs that the platform has permission to use, so you won't run into copyright strikes the way you might if you uploaded your own audio file.
Key Takeaways
- Photos get music through a sticker you add in the editing screen, while videos and Reels use the music library built into the editing tools.
- Instagram's music library is free and includes millions of songs, but availability varies by country and some songs may not be available in your region.
- You can trim the song to play only part of it, adjust the volume, and choose whether the music plays from the start or from a specific moment.
- Music you add to a post is visible to anyone who can see that post — there's no way to hide it from certain followers or make it private.
How to add a music sticker to a photo
Open Instagram and start creating a new post. Take a photo or select one from your camera roll, then tap Next to move to the editing screen. Tap the sticker icon (it looks like a square smiley face) at the top of the screen. Scroll down the sticker options until you see Music, then tap it.
A search box will appear. Type the song name, artist, or album you want, or scroll through the trending songs Instagram shows you. Once you find the song, tap it to add it to your photo. The music sticker will appear on your photo — you can move it around, resize it, or delete it by tapping the X. When you're ready, tap Share to post.
How to add music to a video or Reel
For videos and Reels, the music goes into the audio track rather than appearing as a sticker. Start a new post or Reel and record or select your video. On the next screen, look for the Audio or Music button — on Reels it's usually at the bottom of the editing screen, and on regular video posts it may be labeled Add Audio.
Tap the button and search for your song the same way you would for a photo sticker. Once you select a song, you'll see options to trim it (choose which part plays), adjust the volume, and set where in your video the music starts. You can also add multiple audio tracks — for example, your original video sound plus a song — and control how loud each one is. Tap Done when you're finished, then Share to post.
What to do if a song isn't available in your region
Instagram's music library changes by country because different regions have different licensing agreements with record labels and artists. A song that's available in the United States might not be available in Canada, or vice versa. If you search for a song and it doesn't appear, or if you see a message saying the song isn't available, it means Instagram doesn't have permission to use it where you are.
You have a few options. Try searching for a cover version of the song — sometimes covers are available when the original isn't. Look for a remix or alternate version. Or search for a different song that fits the mood you want. If you really want to use a specific song and it's not available, you can post without music, or you can upload a video with your own audio file to your Stories instead of your main feed (Stories have different rules about what audio you can use).
How music affects who can see your post
Adding music to a post doesn't change who can see it. If your post is public, anyone on Instagram can see it and hear the music. If your account is private, only your followers can see it and hear the music. The music is part of the post itself — there's no separate privacy setting for the audio.
One thing to know: if you use a song that's popular, Instagram may show your post to more people in the Explore section or in Reels recommendations, because the algorithm sometimes promotes posts with trending audio. This is usually a good thing if you want your post to reach more people, but it's worth understanding that the music you choose can affect how widely your post spreads.
Removing or changing music after you post
Once you've posted, you can't edit the music directly. If you want to change the song or remove it, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one with different music. This means any likes, comments, or shares on the original post will disappear.
If you posted a Reel, you have one additional option: you can Remix the Reel, which lets you keep the original audio and add your own video on top of it, or vice versa. But if you want to change just the music on a regular post or video, deletion and reposting is the only way.
Music and copyright: what you need to know
Instagram's music library is licensed, which means the artists and labels have given Instagram permission to use their songs. When you add music from Instagram's library to your post, you're not breaking any copyright rules. Instagram handles the licensing on the back end — you don't have to pay anything or ask permission.
If you try to upload your own audio file (for example, a song you found on YouTube or Spotify) instead of using Instagram's music library, Instagram may mute the audio or remove the post, depending on whether the copyright holder has given Instagram permission to use that specific file. Stick to Instagram's built-in music library to avoid this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people share my post with the music on it?
Yes. When someone shares your post to their Stories or sends it to a friend, the music goes with it. If they share it outside Instagram, the music may or may not be included depending on where they're sharing it — for example, a screenshot won't have audio, but a link to your post will.
Does the music play automatically when someone sees my post?
On the main feed, Instagram doesn't auto-play sound by default — most people scroll with sound off. But if someone taps your post to watch it, or if they're on Reels, the sound will play if they have their phone's volume on. Stories auto-play sound if the person has enabled it in their settings.
Can I use the same song on multiple posts?
Yes. You can use any song from Instagram's library on as many posts as you want. There's no limit to how many times you use the same song, and it won't affect your account or the song's availability.
What if I want to post a video with no music?
You don't have to add music. Just skip the music step when you're editing your video or Reel. If you've already added music and want to remove it, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one without the music.