Add music while you're creating the post
The simplest way to add your own music to an Instagram post is to do it before you share. When you're in the camera or gallery screen creating a new post, look for a music icon — it looks like a musical note and usually sits near the bottom of the screen alongside stickers and text tools. Tap it, and Instagram will show you a library of licensed songs you can add directly to your video or Reel.
This method works best because Instagram handles the licensing on its end, so you won't run into copyright strikes later. The music syncs to your video automatically, and you can trim it, adjust the volume, and choose where in the song you want it to start. Once you've positioned the music the way you want it, you can add captions, tags, and other details before posting.
Key Takeaways
- The music icon in the Instagram camera lets you add licensed songs directly to posts and Reels before you share them.
- You can adjust the volume of added music, trim it to fit your video length, and choose which part of the song plays.
- Adding music during creation is safer than uploading a video with unlicensed audio, because Instagram handles the rights.
- If you want to use a song that isn't in Instagram's library, you'll need to add it to your video file before uploading it to Instagram.
- Instagram may mute or restrict videos that contain copyrighted music you added outside the app, depending on the copyright holder's settings.
Use music from Instagram's library versus your own files
Instagram's built-in music library contains millions of licensed songs that you can use without copyright problems. When you tap the music icon during post creation, you're browsing this library. You can search by song title, artist, or mood, and preview how each song sounds before you add it to your video.
If you want to use a song that isn't in Instagram's library — maybe a song from an independent artist, a personal recording, or something very new — you'll need to add it to your video file before you upload it to Instagram. You can do this on your phone using a video editing app like iMovie, CapCut, or Adobe Premiere Rush. Once the audio is mixed into the video file itself, upload the finished video to Instagram as normal. Be aware that if the song is copyrighted and not licensed for Instagram use, the platform may mute the audio, restrict who can watch the video, or flag it depending on the copyright holder's settings.
Add music to Reels specifically
Reels have their own music tools that work slightly differently from regular posts. When you're recording or editing a Reel, the music icon appears in the same place, but Reels let you layer multiple audio tracks — you can keep the original sound from your video and add music on top of it. This is useful if you're recording yourself talking or performing and want background music behind your voice.
To add music to a Reel, tap the music icon after you've recorded your video clips. Search for the song you want, tap it to add it, then use the slider to adjust how loud the music is compared to your original audio. You can also choose which part of the song plays by dragging the song timeline. Once you're happy with the mix, continue editing your Reel with text, effects, and other tools before posting.
Adjust volume and timing of your music
After you've added a song to your post or Reel, Instagram gives you control over how it sounds. A volume slider lets you turn the music up or down relative to any other audio in your video — if you're recording yourself speaking, you can make the music quieter so people can still hear your voice clearly. The slider usually shows as a percentage, and you can set it anywhere from silent to full volume.
To change which part of the song plays, look for the song timeline or scrubber bar. Drag it left or right to move to a different moment in the song. This is helpful if the beginning of a song is slow and you want to start at a catchier part, or if you only have a 15-second video and need to find the best 15 seconds of a three-minute song. The timing adjusts automatically as you drag, so you can preview it before you post.
What happens if Instagram detects copyrighted music
If you upload a video with copyrighted music that you added outside of Instagram's app, the platform's automated system will usually detect it. What happens next depends on who owns the copyright. Some copyright holders allow the video to stay up but mute the audio, so viewers see your video with no sound. Others let the video stay up with sound but restrict it — it might not appear in Explore, Reels, or recommendations, and you won't be able to earn money from it if you're a content creator.
In some cases, the copyright holder can request that Instagram remove the video entirely, though this is less common for individual posts. The safest approach is to use music from Instagram's library during creation, or to use music that is labeled as free to use or Creative Commons licensed. If you're unsure whether a song is copyrighted, assume it is — most music is protected, even if it's by a small artist.
Use royalty-free or Creative Commons music as an alternative
If you want to add music that isn't in Instagram's library but still avoid copyright problems, look for royalty-free or Creative Commons licensed music. Websites like Unsplash Music, Pixabay Music, YouTube Audio Library, and Epidemic Sound host thousands of songs you can read for free or for a subscription fee. These songs are licensed in a way that lets you use them in videos without copyright strikes.
read the song file to your phone, then use a video editing app to add it to your video before uploading to Instagram. Make sure you read the license terms for each song — some require you to credit the artist in your caption, while others don't. Once the audio is mixed into your video file, upload it to Instagram as you normally would. This method takes a bit more work than using Instagram's built-in music, but it gives you access to a much larger selection of songs.
Troubleshoot music that won't add or play
If the music icon doesn't appear when you're creating a post, make sure you're using the latest version of Instagram. Open your phone's app store, search for Instagram, and update it if an update is available. The music feature is only available in certain countries due to licensing restrictions, so if you're in a region where it's not offered, the icon won't show up at all.
If you added music but it's not playing when you preview your post, check that the volume slider isn't set to zero. Also make sure your phone's volume isn't muted — sometimes the ringer switch on the side of your phone silences all audio. If the music still won't play after you post, try deleting the post and creating it again. If the problem continues, restart Instagram by closing it completely and reopening it, or restart your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a song from Spotify or Apple Music in my Instagram post?
Not directly — you can't pull audio from those apps and add it to Instagram. However, if the song is available in Instagram's music library, you can search for it and add it that way. If it's not in Instagram's library, you'd need to read the song file and add it to your video using a video editor before uploading to Instagram, though this may trigger copyright detection depending on the song.
Will Instagram mute my video if I add music from my own files?
Instagram may mute the audio or restrict the video's reach if the music is copyrighted and not licensed for the platform. Using Instagram's built-in music library avoids this problem entirely. If you want to use music outside the library, choose royalty-free or Creative Commons licensed tracks instead.
Can I add different music to different parts of my Reel?
Instagram's current tools let you add one main song to a Reel, though you can layer it with your original audio. To use multiple different songs in one video, you'd need to edit them together in a video app before uploading to Instagram.
What if the song I want isn't in Instagram's music library?
Search for the song on royalty-free sites like Unsplash Music, Pixabay, or YouTube Audio Library. read it, add it to your video using a video editor, and upload the finished file to Instagram. Always check the license to see if you need to credit the artist.
Does adding music to my post affect how many people see it?
Adding music from Instagram's library doesn't hurt your reach. However, if Instagram detects unlicensed copyrighted music, it may restrict the video from appearing in Explore or Reels, which can limit how many people see it.