You can add music to Instagram posts on a computer, but the method depends on whether you're uploading a photo, video, or Reel
Instagram's desktop website lets you upload photos and videos, but the music feature only works on mobile apps and Reels. If you're posting a still photo from your computer, you cannot add music directly through Instagram's desktop interface — you'll need to use your phone instead. For videos and Reels uploaded from a computer, you can add music after posting, or you can add an audio track to your video file before uploading it.
The fastest route depends on what you're posting. A photo with music requires switching to your phone. A video or Reel can stay on your computer if you're willing to edit the audio into the file beforehand using free tools like CapCut or Shotcut. If you want to add music after posting, you'll need to use Instagram's mobile app to edit the post.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's desktop website does not have a music sticker feature for photos, so you must use your phone to add music to a photo post.
- Videos and Reels uploaded from a computer can have music added afterward using the Instagram mobile app's edit feature.
- You can add audio to a video file before uploading by using free desktop software like CapCut, Shotcut, or DaVinci Resolve.
- Instagram's music library is only available on mobile, so any music you add must come from your phone or from an audio file you embed in the video itself.
Adding music to a photo post requires your phone
Instagram's desktop site does not include the music sticker tool that appears on the mobile app. If you want to add a music sticker to a photo, you must upload the photo using the Instagram app on your phone or tablet instead of your computer.
The workaround is to upload your photo from your computer to Instagram as usual, then switch to your phone, open the Instagram app, find the post in your profile, tap the three dots in the top right corner, select "Edit," and then tap "Add Music." From there, you can search Instagram's music library and add a sticker with the song title and artist. This takes an extra step but keeps your workflow mostly on the desktop.
Adding music to videos and Reels after uploading
Once you've uploaded a video or Reel from your computer, you can add music using the Instagram mobile app. Open Instagram on your phone, go to your profile, find the post, tap the three dots, and select "Edit." Tap "Add Music" and search the music library for the track you want. You can choose where the music starts in the video and how loud it plays relative to any existing audio.
This method works for any video you've already posted, but it means waiting until you're on your phone to finish the post. If you want to add music before uploading, you'll need to edit the video file on your computer first.
Embedding audio into a video file before uploading
If you want to add music to a video entirely on your computer, you can use free video editing software to mix the audio track into the video file before uploading to Instagram. Three common options are CapCut (available as a desktop app), Shotcut, and DaVinci Resolve. All three let you import a video, add an audio file, adjust the volume, and export the finished file.
The basic steps are the same in each program: open the software, import your video, drag an audio file into the audio track, adjust the volume so the music doesn't drown out any original sound, and export the file as an MP4. Then upload that finished file to Instagram from your computer. The music will play automatically when someone watches the post — no additional steps needed on your phone.
One limitation: if you embed music this way, Instagram cannot identify the song for the music sticker. The audio will play, but viewers won't see the song title or artist displayed. If you want that information visible, you'll need to add the music through the Instagram app after uploading instead.
Finding music files to use in your videos
You can use music from several sources. Royalty-free music sites like Pixabay Music, Pexels Music, and YouTube Audio Library let you download tracks for free and use them in videos without copyright strikes. Epidemic Sound and Artlist are paid subscription services that give you access to larger libraries. You can also use songs you own or have purchased, though Instagram may still flag them depending on the copyright holder's settings.
When you download a music file, save it somewhere you can find it easily — your Downloads folder or a dedicated Music folder on your computer. When you open your video editing software, you'll import the video first, then add the audio file to the audio track. Make sure the file format is MP3 or WAV, which all major editing software supports.
Uploading video with embedded music from your computer
After you've mixed the music into your video file and exported it, uploading from your computer works the same as uploading any other video. Go to Instagram.com, click the plus icon at the bottom left of the screen, select "Post," and choose your video file. Add a caption and tags as usual, then click "Share."
Instagram will process the video, which can take a few minutes depending on the file size. Once it's live, the music will play automatically. You can still add a music sticker on your phone afterward if you want to credit the artist, but the audio itself is already part of the video.
Why Instagram's desktop music feature is limited
Instagram designed the music sticker feature for mobile because the app has direct access to Instagram's music licensing agreements. Those agreements let the platform identify songs, prevent copyright strikes, and pay artists. The desktop website doesn't have the same integration, so Instagram didn't build the feature there.
This is why you can't search Instagram's music library from a computer — the library itself only exists in the mobile app. If you want to use a song from that library, you have to be on your phone. If you want to stay on your computer, you have to use music from outside sources and embed it into the video file yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add music to an Instagram post after I've already published it?
Yes, but only on mobile. Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, find the post, tap the three dots, select "Edit," and tap "Add Music." This works for photos, videos, and Reels. You cannot add music to a post from the desktop website.
What happens if I use copyrighted music in a video I upload from my computer?
Instagram will likely detect it and either mute the audio, restrict who can watch the post, or remove the post entirely, depending on the copyright holder's settings. Royalty-free music from sites like Pixabay or YouTube Audio Library is safer because those tracks are licensed for reuse.
Can I use Spotify or Apple Music songs in my Instagram videos?
Not directly. Those services' terms of service don't allow you to download and reuse their songs. You can use music from royalty-free libraries or songs you own. If you want a specific song, check if it's available in Instagram's music library on the mobile app instead.
Do I need special software to add music to a video before uploading?
No, but it helps. Free options like CapCut, Shotcut, and DaVinci Resolve make it straightforward. If you're comfortable with command-line tools, FFmpeg can also mix audio and video, but it has a steeper learning curve.
Will the music I embed in a video file show up as a music sticker on Instagram?
No. Instagram won't identify the song or display a music sticker. If you want the song title and artist visible to viewers, add the music through the Instagram mobile app after uploading instead of embedding it in the file beforehand.