How to add music to Instagram post, Reel, or Story

Don’t know how to add music to an Instagram post yet? No need to ask your friends and feel like a Boomer. We’re here to guide you through it.

If you don’t feel like reading the entire thing, here’s your quick answer:

How to add music to an Instagram post?

1. Open the Instagram app and tap the + button in the upper-left corner of your profile
2. Choose Post and pick the photo you want to publish, then tap the arrow in the upper-right corner.
3. Tap the Audio icon below your post, then choose the music you want to use.

That’s pretty much it!

That said, if you have a couple more minutes to spare, we have a more detailed guide for you. We will walk you through how to add music to Instagram posts and Reels, and what to do if your music option is missing. Plus some extra tips to help you get viral! 👀

So, if you have your coffee and a little time to spare, let’s go through it together.

What to know before adding music to Instagram

Before we start tapping buttons, let’s quickly talk about where Instagram music actually works.

You can add music to a few different places on Instagram: feed posts, Stories, and Reels. The annoying part is that the button does not always look the same everywhere.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Feed posts: You can add music to photo or video posts before publishing them. After you choose your content, look for the Audio or music option on the editing screen.
• Stories: You can add music with the music sticker. Open Stories, upload or record your content, tap the sticker icon, then choose Music.
• Reels: You can add music by tapping the Audio icon while creating your Reel. From there, you can search Instagram’s music library, pick a track, and choose the part of the song you want to use.

Choosing the best Instagram music for your content

Trending audio can take you places. Trust us. If you’re stuck and don’t really know which music to pick for your content, try one of the songs from this playlist: Instagram 2026 Viral Music for Reels and Stories.

You do not have to copy every trend, obviously, but it is a good place to start when your brain is giving you absolutely nothing.

That said, do not choose a song just because it is trending. Choose one that actually fits the post.

A few quick rules that are actually worth remembering:

• Pick a song that matches the mood of the post.
• Use trending audio only when it makes sense for your content.
• If the song has lyrics, make sure they do not clash with your message.
• Keep your audience in mind. A song can be popular and still feel totally wrong for your brand.
• Be careful with copyrighted music, especially if you are using Instagram for a business or promotional post.

And if you want more control, add the music before uploading your video to Instagram.

Popular songs for Instagram Reels

This section is going to be a bit of a subjective one, because the popular songs for Instagram reels really depends on your taste and content. Still, we’ve singled out some of the songs that keep on popping up on our feed:

1. Janice STFU and Shabang are one of the best hits from Drake this year. Shabang one even has a whole reel trend on Instagram you can follow, and if you’re really good at it, maybe you’ll go viral!

2. This playlist of Brazilian TikTok songs is exactly what you need if you’re looking for something upbeat and fun. Just beware: some of the lyrics are a little unfiltered, so check what the song actually says before posting.

3. SOPHIE – VYZEE is another one that keeps popping up, especially the part of “We can stay here, or we can go, we can go, ….up, up,up.” You can already guess what type of glow-up content could work perfectly here, can’t you? Well, this is your sign to go ahead and post the video you have in mind!

Some tips on figuring out what music is going to trend

Keep an eye on artists who have released albums recently, announced tours, or are suddenly back in the conversation. Sometimes it is because of a comeback, sometimes it is because of a viral moment, and sometimes, unfortunately, it is because an artist has passed away and people start rediscovering their music.

For instance, this year, your go-to artists might be Ye, Bad Bunny, Oliver Tree, Olivia Rodrigo, and so on, depending on your favorite genre and audience.

How to add original audio to Instagram post?

Now, to add an original audio to your Instagram post, you first need to have it stocked in their official licensed music library. The best way to do it is to first post it as a Reel, so that Instagram saves it as “Original Audio,” which you, later on, can use it for your Instagram post.

So, how do you add original audio to an Instagram reel? Here’s a full breakdown:

How to add original audio to Instagram Reels

Reels give you one more option: you can import audio from another video directly inside Instagram.

This is useful if you already have a video on your phone that contains the sound or music you want to use. Instagram can extract that audio and apply it to your new Reel.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Instagram and tap the + button.
2. Choose Reel.
3. Select the video or clips you want to post.
4. Tap the Audio icon.
5. Choose Import.
6. Select the video that has the audio you want to use.
7. Instagram will extract the sound and add it to your Reel.
8. Tap Done and finish editing your Reel.

In theory, this is great. You can reuse audio from your own videos without needing a separate app.

In practice? It can still be a little painful.

If you only want to place one audio track over one simple clip, Instagram’s editor does the job. But if you want to line up several clips with the beat, trim the audio properly, adjust the volume, or make the Reel feel polished, the tiny timeline can make you question your life choices.

One wrong tap or an accidental delete, and suddenly your “quick edit” has turned into a full emotional journey.

Async: The easier way to use original audio on Instagram

If you want more control, edit the video before you upload it to Instagram.

This is where Async makes the whole thing easier. Upload your video clips and your original audio into one timeline, see the waveforms clearly, and make proper cuts.

You can adjust the volume, trim the track, add fades, sync clips to the beat, add subtitles, include text titles, and even add sound effects without fighting Instagram’s editor.

Once your video looks and sounds right, you just export it and upload it to Instagram as a finished post or Reel.

So, yes, Instagram’s built-in tools are fine if you are doing something quick. But if you want your original audio to be actually synced with the video, editing first and uploading after is the much safer move.

How to use that original audio for an Instagram post

Once your Reel is posted, Instagram should save the sound as Original audio. This is the part you need if you want to use that same sound again later.

Here’s how to find it:

1. Open the Reel you posted with your original audio.
2. Tap the audio name at the bottom of the Reel. It should usually say Original audio.
3. This will open the audio page for that sound.
4. Tap Save audio so you can find it again later.
5. When creating a new Instagram post or Reel, go to the music or audio section.
6. Open your saved audio and choose the original sound you saved.

One small note: Instagram can be weird about where saved sounds appear. You will usually have the easiest time finding saved audio when creating Reels. For regular feed posts, Instagram may still push you toward songs from its music library, depending on your account, region, and app version.

So if you do not see your original audio while creating a regular post, the safest workaround is still to add the audio to your video before uploading. That way, your sound is already part of the file, and you do not have to rely on Instagram showing you the right button at the right time.

Music availability, copyright, and the annoying stuff nobody tells you

Before you add music to every post like you’re personally DJing the entire Instagram feed, quick reality check: not every song is available for every account.

Instagram has a music library because it has licensing deals with music rights holders. That is why you can search for songs directly inside the app and add them to posts, Stories, and Reels. But those licenses still come with rules.

Here are the main things worth knowing:

• Some songs may not be available for your account: This can depend on your country, account type, and the type of content you are posting. Business accounts especially may have more limited access to popular songs because of licensing restrictions.
• If a song is not licensed for Instagram, your post can run into problems: Instagram may mute the audio, block the post in some regions, or limit how the content appears. So if you are choosing music inside Instagram’s own library, you are usually playing it safe.
• Original audio is different from licensed music: If you record your own voiceover, sound, or music and upload it with your video, Instagram may label it as original audio. But that does not magically mean you can upload any copyrighted song and call it yours. If you do not own the rights or have permission to use it, it can still cause problems.
• Music length can vary depending on the format: Stories, feed posts, and Reels do not always treat music the same way. Instagram may limit how much of a song you can use or where that song can appear. So if one format gives you different options than another, you are not imagining things.

Basically, if you are using Instagram for personal content, the app’s music library is usually the easiest route. If you are posting for a brand, campaign, product, or business, be more careful with copyrighted music and check what your account actually has access to.

Why can’t I add music to my Instagram post?

If the music option is missing, don’t panic. Instagram does this cute little thing where the same feature appears for some people and disappears for others.

Here are the most common reasons:

• Your app is not updated. Start with the boring fix first. Update Instagram, close the app, open it again, and check if the music option appears.
• Your account type may limit music access. Some business accounts do not get the same music options as personal or creator accounts. If you are running a brand account, this could be why you are seeing fewer songs or no music option at all.
• The feature may not be available in your region. Instagram music availability can depend on where you are. So if your friend has the option and you do not, it might not be your fault.
• The song may not be available for that format. A track might show up for Reels but not for feed posts, or it might not be available for business use. Again, very fun and not confusing at all.
• You may be trying to add music from desktop. Instagram’s music features are mostly built for the mobile app. If you are posting from a computer, you may not see the same options. In that case, the easier workaround is to add music to your video before uploading it.

If nothing works, the safest fix is simple: edit your video with the music already included, export it, and upload it to Instagram as a finished file. That way, you are not waiting for Instagram to give you the right button.

Can you add music to Instagram post after posting?

Unfortunately, in most cases, no. You cannot add music to an Instagram post after it has already been published.

Instagram lets you edit some parts of a post after publishing, like the caption, tags, location, and alt text. But music is usually something you need to add before you share the post.

So if you are posting a photo, video, or carousel and want music attached to it, make sure you add the track during the creation process, before you hit Share.

If you already published the post without music, your best option is to delete or archive it, create a new version with music, and post it again.

Annoying? Yes. Avoidable? Also yes.

Just do one final music check before publishing, especially if the whole post depends on the sound.

FAQ

How to add music to Instagram post?

To add music to an Instagram post, open the Instagram app and tap the + button. Choose Post, select the photo or video you want to publish, then tap the arrow in the upper-right corner. On the editing screen, tap the Audio or Add music option, choose the song you want to use, adjust the part of the track, and publish your post.

Just keep in mind that the music option may look slightly different depending on your app version, account type, and region. Because of course Instagram could not make one button behave the same way for everyone.

Where to find royalty-free music for Instagram?

You can find royalty-free music for Instagram on platforms like Async.

If you are posting for a brand, client, business, or ad campaign, do not just grab a random song from the internet and hope for the best. Make sure the music license actually allows social media use, commercial use, and Instagram posting.

You can also use Instagram’s own music library, but business accounts may have limited access to popular songs because of licensing rules.

How to add music to Instagram Story?

To add music to an Instagram Story, open Instagram and swipe right to open the Stories camera. Record a new Story or upload a photo or video from your camera roll. Then tap the sticker icon, choose Music, search for the song you want, pick the part of the track you want to use, and post your Story.

You can also choose how the music appears on screen, like showing lyrics, the song title, or a small music sticker.

How to remove music from Instagram post?

If you have not published the post yet, you can usually go back to the editing screen, tap the selected music or audio option, and remove or change the track before posting.

If the post is already published, Instagram usually does not let you remove only the music from a feed post. You may be able to edit the caption, tags, or location, but not the attached music. In that case, the easiest fix is to delete or archive the post and upload a new version without music.

What is the Instagram music starting with NYC subway noise​?

We think you might be talking about this track. This is the closest NYC subway noise transition we found! If not let us know in the comments when you find it!