You can add music to Instagram posts in two ways: using Instagram's built-in music library during editing, or uploading a video with audio already attached
Instagram lets you pick from millions of licensed songs when you're creating a post, or you can use music you've already recorded. The music library is free and available on both phone and desktop, though the phone app gives you more song options. If you're posting a video you made elsewhere — like a TikTok or YouTube video — you can upload it with its original audio intact.
The method you use depends on what you're posting. If you're sharing a photo, you'll add music during the editing step. If you're sharing a video, you can either add music from Instagram's library or keep the audio that's already in the video file. Either way, the process takes less than a minute once you know where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's music library is built into the app and appears when you're editing a photo or video post, not before you start creating.
- You search for songs by title, artist, or mood, and Instagram shows you how many other posts use each song so you can see what's popular.
- Videos you upload keep their original audio by default, so you don't have to add music separately unless you want to replace it.
- The music library works on both iPhone and Android, though the desktop version has fewer songs available.
- If you use a song from Instagram's library, you can adjust where it starts and stops, and how loud it plays compared to any other audio in your post.
Adding music to a photo post on your phone
Open Instagram and tap the plus sign at the bottom to start a new post. Select "Post" from the menu, then choose the photo you want to share. Tap "Next" at the bottom right until you reach the editing screen where you see filters and other tools.
Look for the music icon — it looks like a musical note — and tap it. A search box will appear at the top. Type the song name, artist name, or a mood like "happy" or "chill," and Instagram will show you matching songs. Tap the song you want, and it will be added to your post. You'll see a preview of how the audio looks on your post, with a colored bar showing the song playing.
If you want to change where the song starts, tap the song preview and you'll see a timeline. Drag the slider to pick a different part of the song. You can also adjust the volume by tapping the volume icon. When you're done, tap "Done," then continue to add a caption and post as usual.
Adding music to a video post on your phone
The process is almost identical to adding music to a photo. Open Instagram, tap the plus sign, select "Post," and choose your video file. Tap "Next" until you reach the editing screen.
If your video already has audio — like dialogue, background noise, or music you recorded — it will play by default. You can still add a song from Instagram's library on top of it. Tap the music icon, search for a song, and select it. You'll then see controls to adjust the volume of the original audio and the new song separately. Slide the original audio volume down if you want the new song to be louder, or turn it all the way down if you want to replace the original audio entirely.
If you want to remove the song you added and keep only the original audio, tap the music icon again and select "Remove Music." The original audio will stay.
Adding music on Instagram's desktop version
The desktop version of Instagram has the same music feature, but with fewer songs available. Open Instagram in a web browser, click the plus sign to create a post, and select "Post." Upload your photo or video, then click "Next" until you reach the editing screen.
Click the music icon and search for a song the same way you would on your phone. Select the song you want, and it will be added to your post. You can adjust the volume and the starting point using the same controls as the phone app. The process is slower on desktop because the library is smaller, so you may not find every song that's available on the phone app.
What to do if you can't find the song you want
Instagram's music library has millions of songs, but not every song is available. If you search for a song and it doesn't appear, it means the rights holder hasn't licensed it to Instagram. This is common with very new releases, independent artists, or songs from smaller labels.
Your options are to pick a different song from the library, or upload a video that already has the music in it. If you're posting a video you made in another app — like TikTok, YouTube, or a video editor — and it already has the song in the audio track, you can upload it to Instagram and the music will come with it. Instagram won't remove audio that's already part of the video file, though it may add a label saying the audio is copyrighted.
If you're posting a photo and the song you want isn't in the library, you'll need to use a different song or post without music.
Understanding copyright and music on Instagram
All the songs in Instagram's music library are licensed, which means the artists and rights holders have given Instagram permission to use them. When you add a song from the library to your post, you're not breaking any rules — Instagram has already paid for the rights.
If you upload a video with music that's not from Instagram's library, Instagram may add a label to your post saying the audio is copyrighted. This doesn't mean your post will be removed, but it does mean the copyright holder has a claim on that audio. Depending on the song and the rights holder's settings, your post might not be available in certain countries, or the audio might be muted in some regions.
If you use a song from Instagram's library, you won't see any copyright labels because Instagram has already cleared the rights for you.
Troubleshooting music problems
If the music icon doesn't appear when you're editing a post, make sure you're using the latest version of Instagram. Open your phone's app store, search for Instagram, and tap "Update" if it's available. Close the app completely and open it again, then try creating a new post.
If a song you found yesterday isn't showing up today, it may have been removed from the library. Rights agreements change, and Instagram sometimes loses access to certain songs. Search for a similar song or a different version by the same artist.
If the music is playing but you can't hear it, check that your phone's volume is turned up and that you're not in silent mode. On iPhone, flip the mute switch on the side of the phone. On Android, press the volume up button. Also make sure the volume slider for the music in the editing screen is turned up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own music or a song I recorded?
If you recorded the music yourself and it's already in a video file, you can upload that video to Instagram and the audio will stay with it. If you want to add your own audio to a photo, you'll need to create a video file first using a video editor, then upload that to Instagram. Instagram's music library doesn't let you upload your own audio files directly.
Will adding music from Instagram's library get my post removed?
No. All songs in Instagram's library are licensed and approved for use. You won't get a copyright strike or have your post removed for using them. Instagram has already paid the rights holders, so you're safe to use any song from the library.
Can people share my post with the music in it?
Yes. When someone shares your post, the music goes with it. If you're concerned about copyright, remember that the music is already licensed by Instagram, so sharing doesn't create any new legal issues.
What happens if I post a video with music that's not from Instagram's library?
Instagram may add a copyright label to your post, but it won't be removed. Depending on the rights holder's settings, the post might be unavailable in some countries or the audio might be quieter in certain regions. You won't face penalties for posting it, but the copyright holder has a claim on the audio.
Can I change the music after I've posted?
No. Once you post, the music is locked in. If you want to use different music, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one with the new song.