The three ways to add sound when you post

You can add sound to a TikTok video at three different points: while you are recording, after you finish recording but before you post, or by re-posting someone else's video with their sound attached. The method you choose depends on whether you want to record your own audio, use a sound from TikTok's library, or build on someone else's content.

Most people add sound after recording because TikTok's sound library is enormous and searchable only after you have footage. If you know exactly what audio you want before you start filming — a specific song, a voice-over you recorded separately, or a sound you have saved — you can add it while recording. Re-posting with sound is the simplest option if you want to use another creator's video and audio together, though it comes with visibility trade-offs.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add sound while recording by tapping the music note icon, searching TikTok's library, and selecting a track before you film.
  • After recording, tap the checkmark, then "Sounds" to browse TikTok's library, upload your own audio file, or use a sound you have already saved.
  • Sounds you upload yourself must be in MP3, WAV, or M4A format and under 10 minutes long.
  • When you use a trending sound, your video is more likely to appear on the For You Page, but using an obscure or no sound at all limits your reach.
  • Re-posting someone else's video with their sound attached is faster than recording your own, but the original creator's video still gets credit and views.

Adding sound while you are recording

Open TikTok and tap the plus icon at the bottom to start a new video. Before you press record, tap the music note icon in the top right corner of the screen. This opens TikTok's sound library. You can search by song title, artist name, or sound type — "funny", "sad", "trending", "nature sounds" — or scroll through what is currently popular.

Once you find a sound you want, tap it. The sound will preview for a few seconds. Tap the checkmark or the sound name to confirm your choice. The sound is now attached to your recording session. When you press the record button, the audio will play while you film, and your video will be synced to that sound from the start. This is useful if you want to lip-sync, dance to a beat, or time your actions to specific moments in a song.

If you change your mind about the sound after you start recording, you can tap the music note icon again to swap it out. The new sound will play from the beginning of your next recording segment.

Adding sound after you finish recording

Tap the checkmark when you are done filming. This takes you to the editing screen. Tap "Sounds" at the bottom of the screen. You will see three tabs: "Recommended", "Trending", and "Your Sounds". The Recommended tab shows sounds TikTok thinks match your video. The Trending tab shows what is popular right now. Your Sounds shows tracks you have saved or uploaded before.

Search for a sound by typing in the search box at the top. You can search by song name, artist, or a word that describes the mood or type of sound you want. Tap any sound to preview it. Once you find one you like, tap it to add it to your video. The sound will play from the beginning unless you adjust the timing.

To change where the sound starts in your video, tap "Sounds" again after you have added one. Tap the sound name at the bottom to open timing controls. You can drag the slider to choose which part of the audio plays during your video. This is useful if you want to skip the intro of a song or start at a specific lyric.

Uploading your own audio file

If you have recorded your own voice-over, music, or other audio on your phone or computer, you can upload it to TikTok. Go to the editing screen after you finish recording, tap "Sounds", and look for an "Upload" option or a plus icon. Tap it to browse your phone's files.

Your audio file must be in MP3, WAV, or M4A format. It must be under 10 minutes long. Select the file from your phone, and TikTok will add it to your video. The audio will play from the beginning unless you adjust the timing the same way you would with a library sound.

Once you upload a sound, it goes into your "Your Sounds" tab and you can use it again on future videos without re-uploading. Other TikTok users cannot search for or use sounds you upload — they are private to your account.

Using trending sounds versus unknown or no sound

TikTok's algorithm favors videos that use sounds that are currently trending. A trending sound is one that many creators are using right now, often because a song is new, a sound is going viral, or a particular audio clip has become a meme. When you use a trending sound, your video is more likely to land on the For You Page, where it can reach people who do not follow you.

If you use an obscure sound — one that almost nobody else is using — your video will still post, but it will reach fewer people. The same is true if you post with no sound at all. This does not mean you should never use an unknown sound or silence. It means you should understand the trade-off: a unique or quiet video may feel more personal or artistic, but it will have a smaller audience unless people already follow you or the video gets shared outside TikTok.

You can see how many creators are using a sound by tapping the sound name on any video. If the number is in the millions, it is trending. If it is in the thousands or lower, it is niche. Neither choice is wrong — it depends on whether you want reach or distinctiveness.

Re-posting someone else's video with their sound

If you want to use another creator's video and audio together, you can re-post it. Find the video you want to re-post, tap the share icon, and select "Re-post". This creates a new post that includes the original video, the original sound, and a credit to the original creator. Your followers will see the re-post on your profile, and the original creator will get a notification.

Re-posting is the fastest way to share content because you do not have to record or edit anything. The downside is that the original creator's video still gets top billing, and the re-post may not reach as many people as a video you created yourself. Re-posts are useful for amplifying content you genuinely like or for starting a conversation, but they do not build your own audience the way original videos do.

What happens if the sound you want is no longer available

Sometimes a sound disappears from TikTok's library because the copyright holder requested it be removed, the creator who uploaded it deleted their account, or TikTok removed it for other reasons. If you try to use a sound and it is gone, you will see a message saying the sound is unavailable.

If you have already posted a video with that sound and it later gets removed, your video will stay up but the audio will be muted or replaced with a generic sound. You can re-edit the video and add a different sound, or you can leave it as is. There is no penalty for having a video with a removed sound — it just means fewer people will watch it because sound is a major factor in whether the algorithm recommends your content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a song from Spotify or Apple Music on TikTok?

Not directly. You cannot link Spotify or Apple Music to TikTok and pull songs from there. You can only use sounds from TikTok's library or upload your own audio files. If you want to use a specific song, search for it in TikTok's sound library first. If it is not there, you would need to record yourself playing or singing it, then upload that recording.

What if I want to add sound but keep my original audio too?

TikTok does not have a built-in way to layer multiple sounds or keep both your original audio and a library sound at the same volume. When you add a sound from the library, it replaces your original audio by default. You can adjust the volume of the added sound using the volume slider on the editing screen, but you cannot bring your original audio back once you have added a library sound.

Can other people use a sound I uploaded?

No. Sounds you upload from your phone are private to your account. Only you can use them. If you want other creators to use a sound you created, you would need to post a video with that sound, and then other users could search for and use the sound from your video.

Does using a sound cost money?

No. All sounds in TikTok's library are free to use. You do not pay to add a trending sound, a niche sound, or any audio from TikTok's collection. If you upload your own audio file, there is no cost either.

What if the sound I added does not match my video length?

If your video is shorter than the sound, the sound will cut off when your video ends. If your video is longer than the sound, the sound will loop or end and leave silence. You can adjust the timing of the sound using the slider on the editing screen so it starts at a different point, or you can trim your video to match the sound length better.