You can change the song on a posted Instagram Reel or photo, but only within the first 24 hours
Instagram lets you swap out the audio on a Reel or photo post after it goes live, but the window is narrow — you have 24 hours from the time you posted. After that, the song is locked in and you cannot change it without deleting the post and starting over. The process itself takes about 30 seconds and works the same way whether you posted from a phone or desktop.
The song-change feature only works on Reels and carousel posts (multiple photos or videos). Regular single-photo posts do not have audio, so there is nothing to change. If you posted a Reel with no sound and want to add one, you can do that too — the same 24-hour window applies.
Key Takeaways
- You have exactly 24 hours from posting to change the song on a Reel or carousel; after that, the option disappears.
- Open the post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Edit audio" to see the full music library.
- You can search for a specific song, browse trending audio, or use sounds you have already saved.
- The new song replaces the old one when ready; your post stays live the whole time and your likes and comments do not disappear.
How to find the edit audio option on your post
Go to your profile and find the post you want to change. Tap the three dots (or three horizontal lines on some phones) in the top right corner of the post itself — not the three dots next to your username at the very top of the screen. A menu will pop up with several options.
Look for "Edit audio" in that menu. If you do not see it, either more than 24 hours have passed since you posted, or the post is a single photo with no audio attached. Once you tap "Edit audio", Instagram opens the music library and you can start searching.
Searching for and selecting a new song
The music library works the same way it does when you first create a Reel. At the top of the screen is a search bar where you can type the song name, artist, or even a lyric. Below that are tabs for "Trending", "For You", and "Saved" — browse these if you want to explore without searching for something specific.
When you find the song you want, tap it once. Instagram shows you a preview of how it will sound with your video or photos. If you like it, tap the checkmark or "Use" button to confirm. The new song replaces the old one when ready, and your post updates without going offline.
What happens to your post when you change the song
Your likes, comments, and shares stay exactly where they are. The post does not disappear from your followers' feeds, and nobody gets a notification that you changed the audio. The view count continues from where it was — you do not start over at zero.
If someone watched the Reel with the old song before you changed it, they will see the new song if they watch it again. There is no way to see what the old audio was unless they took a screenshot or saved the video before you made the change.
Changing the song on a carousel post with multiple clips
Carousel posts (where you swipe through multiple photos or short videos) work slightly differently. When you tap "Edit audio", Instagram applies the new song to the entire carousel — you cannot change the audio for just one slide. The song plays across all the photos or videos in the post.
If you want different songs for different slides, you would need to delete the carousel and post each clip as a separate Reel instead. That is the only way to have multiple songs in one post.
What to do if you cannot find the edit audio option
The most common reason the option does not appear is that 24 hours have passed. Instagram removes the edit feature after one day, with no exceptions. If you posted the Reel more than a day ago, you cannot change the song without deleting and reposting.
Another reason might be that you are looking at the wrong menu. Make sure you are tapping the three dots on the post itself, not the three dots next to your name at the top of your profile. On some Android phones, the menu icon is three horizontal lines instead of three dots — look for that if dots do not appear.
Removing audio entirely from a Reel
If you want to delete the song instead of replacing it, tap "Edit audio" and scroll to the very bottom of the music library. You will see an option called "No Audio" or "Mute". Tap that to remove the sound completely. Your Reel will play silently, though any voiceover or dialogue you recorded during filming will still be there.
You can add audio back anytime within the 24-hour window by going through the same "Edit audio" process. There is no penalty for changing your mind multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the song on a Reel I posted more than 24 hours ago?
No. Once 24 hours pass, Instagram removes the edit audio option permanently. Your only choice is to delete the post and create a new one with the song you want. Your likes and comments will be gone, so this is worth considering before you post.
Will my followers get notified if I change the song?
No notifications are sent. Your followers will only see the new song if they watch the Reel again after you change it. There is no way for them to know you made a change unless you tell them.
Can I use a song that is not in Instagram's music library?
No. You can only choose from songs that Instagram has licensed. If a song does not appear in the search results, it is not available on the platform. You would need to delete and repost with a different song, or use a video editor to add the audio before uploading.
Does changing the song affect my Reel's reach or engagement?
Changing the song does not reset your view count or engagement metrics. Your likes, comments, and shares stay the same. The algorithm does not penalize you for editing the audio within the 24-hour window.
What if I want to change the song on a Reel I saved as a draft?
If the Reel is still in your drafts and has not been posted yet, you can edit it before posting. Open the draft, tap "Edit", and change the audio from there. Once you post it, you have 24 hours to make changes using the method described above.