You can change the music on an Instagram post after you publish it, but only if you edit the post itself
Instagram lets you swap out the audio track on a post you've already shared, but the process depends on what type of post it is. For Reels and Stories, you can change the music directly in the editing tools. For feed posts with audio, you'll need to delete the original and upload a new version — Instagram doesn't let you edit the audio on a standard feed post without removing it entirely.
The fastest route is to use Instagram's native editing feature for Reels, which keeps your view count and engagement intact while letting you pick a different song from Instagram's music library. If you're working with a feed post, you'll lose the post history, so consider whether the change is worth republishing.
Key Takeaways
- Reels let you change music after publishing by tapping the three dots, selecting Edit, and choosing a new track from the music library.
- Stories with music can be edited by tapping the pencil icon, then selecting the music sticker to swap it for a different song.
- Feed posts with audio cannot be edited in place — you must delete the post and upload a new version if you want different music.
- Changing music on a Reel keeps your likes and comments, but editing a feed post means starting over with zero engagement.
- Instagram's music library includes millions of tracks, but availability varies by country and some songs may not be licensed in your region.
How to change music on an Instagram Reel
Open the Reel you want to edit and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner. Select Edit from the menu. Scroll down to find the audio section — it will show the current song title and artist. Tap on the audio section to open Instagram's music library.
Search for the song you want by title, artist, or mood. You can browse trending tracks, search by genre, or scroll through curated playlists. Once you find the track, tap it to preview a few seconds. If it sounds right, tap Use Audio or Done depending on your app version. Instagram will apply the new music to your Reel and save the changes automatically. Your view count, likes, and comments stay intact.
If you want to adjust where the music starts or ends within the Reel, you can trim the audio by tapping the audio waveform and dragging the handles to your preferred start and end points. This is useful if the new song has an intro you want to skip or if you only want a specific section of the track.
How to change music on an Instagram Story
Open the Story you posted and tap the pencil icon in the bottom left corner to enter edit mode. Find the music sticker on your Story — it will show the current song title. Tap directly on the music sticker to open the music selection screen.
Search for a new song using the search bar or browse through categories and playlists. Preview the track by tapping it, then tap Add or Use Audio to replace the old music. The sticker will update to show the new song. Tap Done to save your changes. Stories edited this way remain live and visible to your followers — the change happens instantly.
If your Story has multiple music stickers, you can edit each one separately by tapping the pencil icon and then tapping each sticker individually. This lets you create a Story with different songs at different points.
Why you cannot edit music on a standard feed post
Instagram's feed posts do not have an in-app editing tool for audio the way Reels and Stories do. If you uploaded a video or image carousel to your feed with music, the only way to change that audio is to delete the post entirely and upload a new version.
This is a significant limitation because you lose all engagement — likes, comments, and shares disappear when you delete. For this reason, many creators test music choices on Stories or Reels first before posting to the feed, or they use third-party editing software to finalize the audio before uploading to Instagram at all.
How to delete and repost a feed post with different music
If you decide the music on a feed post needs to change, tap the three dots on the post and select Delete. Confirm the deletion. Download the video file to your phone if you haven't already, or use a screen recording tool to capture the video from your camera roll.
Edit the video using a third-party app like CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush, or your phone's built-in video editor. Remove the old audio track and add the new music. Make sure the new audio is licensed or royalty-free if you plan to share it publicly — Instagram may mute copyrighted music or flag your post depending on your region and the song's licensing status.
Upload the edited video as a new post. You'll start with zero engagement, so consider whether the music change is important enough to lose the likes and comments from the original post. If the post is only a few hours old, the impact is smaller than if it's been up for days.
Music availability and regional restrictions
Instagram's music library contains millions of songs, but not every track is available in every country. Licensing agreements vary by region, so a song you can use in the United States might not appear in the library if you're in another country. If you search for a specific song and it doesn't show up, it may not be licensed for your region.
Some artists and rights holders restrict their music to certain uses — for example, a song might be available for Reels but not for Stories, or it might be available but with limited reach. Instagram will sometimes notify you if a track has restrictions before you use it. If you want maximum reach, stick to tracks labeled as trending or featured, since those are typically cleared for broad use.
Tips for choosing music that works with your post
Before you change the music, think about the mood and pacing of your video. A fast-paced song works better with quick cuts and energetic content, while slower tracks suit reflective or emotional videos. Instagram's music library lets you filter by mood and genre, so use those filters to narrow down options that match your content's tone.
Preview at least three to five songs before deciding. The preview plays only a short clip, so listen to the full track on Spotify or YouTube if you want to hear how it flows throughout your video. Pay attention to the intro and outro — some songs have long intros that might not fit the pacing of your post.
Check the song's popularity on Instagram by looking at how many Reels use it. Trending songs get more visibility in the Explore page, but they're also used by thousands of other creators. If you want your content to stand out, consider using a less popular track that still fits your video's mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing music on a Reel affect my view count?
No. Editing a Reel to change the music keeps all your existing views, likes, comments, and shares. The post stays live the entire time you're editing, and the changes apply instantly once you save.
Can I use copyrighted music from my own library?
You can upload a video with your own audio, but Instagram may mute or suppress copyrighted music depending on licensing and your region. Using tracks from Instagram's built-in music library is the safest option because those songs are already cleared for use on the platform.
What happens if I change the music on a Story after people have already seen it?
The change applies to the Story immediately, so anyone who views it after you edit will see the new music. People who already watched it before the edit won't see the updated version unless they view it again.
Can I change music on a video I posted to my feed months ago?
No, not without deleting and reposting. Instagram does not offer in-app audio editing for feed posts. If the post has significant engagement, consider leaving it as is rather than losing all the likes and comments by deleting it.
Why does a song I want show up in search but won't let me use it?
Some songs have usage restrictions set by the artist or rights holder. The song might be available for Reels only, or it might have limited reach. Instagram usually shows a note if a track has restrictions before you use it. Try searching for a similar song or a cover version that may have fewer restrictions.