How to Add Music to Instagram Post (Photos & Reels)

To add music to an Instagram post, start by tapping the “+” (Create) button in the app, choose a photo or video, and before you share it, tap “Add Music” on the final editing screen. From there, you can search Instagram’s music library, pick a song, and select a specific segment (up to 90 seconds) to play with your post. Tap Done, then Share to publish the post with audio included.

This feature works for photo posts, Reels, and Stories, but availability may vary based on your account type, location, or app version. In this guide, you’ll learn step-by-step how to add music in each format, how to troubleshoot if the option is missing, and how to upload your own custom audio when needed.

Can You Really Add Music to a Static Instagram Post?

Yes — as of late 2022, Instagram allows users to add music to single-photo feed posts, not just Stories or Reels. This means you can now pair a static image with a music clip directly inside the app, giving your post more depth and emotional impact. According to a 2024 analysis by AgencyGDT, users who added music to their static photo posts reported higher engagement rates, including more likes and comments. The study suggests that pairing music with images can evoke stronger emotional responses, making posts more memorable and compelling.

What Changed in 2023–2025

Originally, music on Instagram was limited to Stories and Reels. But after TikTok popularized audio-driven content, Instagram expanded the feature to photo posts as well. Now, when you create a new post, you’ll notice a musical note icon or “Add Music” button before publishing — this is where you can select and customize a music track.

Instagram currently supports up to 90 seconds of music on static image posts. You can trim and select the exact portion of the song you want to include.

How It Works with Single Photos

When you add music to a photo post:

The music plays automatically when the post is viewed.
The song’s title and artist name appear at the top of the post.
Users can tap the music to explore the track or see other posts using the same audio.

It’s important to note: music added to photo posts is for feed viewing only — it won’t autoplay in grid view or on desktop.

How to Add Music to Instagram Photo Posts (Step-by-Step)

Adding music to a static photo post on Instagram is simple and doesn’t require any external tools. Here’s how to do it using the built-in feature on both Android and iPhone:

1. Tap the “+” Icon and Select Post

Open the Instagram app and tap the Create (+) button at the bottom center of the screen. Choose Post from the options.

2. Select a Photo from Your Gallery

Pick the image you want to upload from your phone’s library or take a new photo directly within the app.

3. Tap Next, Then Tap Add Music

After selecting your image, tap Next twice to reach the final post editing screen. Look for the “Add Music” button, usually located below the caption field or as a music note icon at the top.

4. Choose a Song from Instagram’s Library

Use the search bar to find the song you want, or browse Instagram’s curated categories like “Trending”, “Moods”, or “Genres”.

5. Select the Part of the Song You Want to Use

Instagram allows you to include up to 90 seconds of a track. Use the slider to pick the exact portion you want to accompany your post.

6. Tap Done, Then Share

Once the music is selected, tap Done to confirm, then hit Share to publish your post to the feed. The music will play automatically when someone views your post, and the track title will appear at the top.

How to Add Music to Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are designed with sound in mind, making music a core part of the creation process. Whether you add music before or after recording, the process is simple and highly customizable.

1. Tap the “+” Icon and Select Reel

Open Instagram, tap the Create (+) button, and choose Reel from the list of content formats.

2. Add Music Before Recording (Optional)

Before recording your Reel, tap the music note icon on the left-hand side. This lets you select a track in advance, which will play as you record.

Use the search bar to find a song.
Tap the play icon to preview.
Use the slider to select up to 15 or 30 seconds, depending on your clip.

This is especially useful if you’re planning to lip-sync, dance, or time movements to the beat.

3. Record Your Reel

Hold the record button to capture your video. The selected music will play in your headphones or device speaker to guide your recording.

Tip: You can record in segments and use different parts of the song for each.

4. Add Music After Recording (Alternative Method)

If you didn’t add music before, you can still do it after recording:

On the preview screen, tap the music icon at the top.
Choose a track from the Instagram library.
Adjust the start time and preview how it syncs with your video.

5. Finalize and Share

Customize your Reel with filters, text, stickers, or voiceovers. When you’re happy, tap Next and publish your Reel to your feed and/or Reels tab.

If you’re looking to add your own music to Instagram Story or Reels, you can also use third-party video editing apps like InShot or CapCut to embed original audio before uploading. This gives you more control over the sound and avoids limitations in Instagram’s built-in library.

How to Add Your Own Music to Instagram Posts

If you want to go beyond Instagram’s built-in music library and use your own audio, you’ll need to create and upload a post that already includes the music in the video file. This is especially useful for content creators, musicians, or anyone working with original sounds.