Published by the Zolyp team ·
How do you add music to a photo post?
Instagram's help centre gives the same steps for the iPhone and Android apps. You add the music before you share:
- Tap Create, then tap POST.
- Take a photo or choose one from your phone's library.
- Tap Next, then tap Next again in the bottom right.
- Tap Add audio. Pick a song from the list or search the music library.
- Use the sliding bar at the bottom to choose which part of the song plays with your photo.
- Tap Done in the top right, then tap Share at the bottom.
Source: Instagram Help Centre: Add audio to your post on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
How do you add music to a carousel?
A post with several photos (a carousel) can have one soundtrack. Instagram's help centre notes two limits: music can't be added to carousels that include a video, and the feature isn't available on computers, only in the app.
- Tap Create at the top, or swipe right anywhere in Feed.
- Tap POST at the bottom, then tap Select multiple.
- Select your photos and tap Next in the top right.
- Tap Filters to choose filters, tap Done, then tap Next in the bottom right.
- Tap Add music. Choose a suggestion under For you, look in Browse, or type in the search bar.
- Edit which segment of the song plays, then tap Done in the top right.
- Finish your post and tap Share.
Source: Instagram Help Centre: Add music to a post with multiple photos on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
How do you add music to a reel or a story?
Reels have music built into the camera. Instagram notes that the music sticker in Reels isn't available to everyone, so update the app if you don't see it.
- Start recording a reel. A tool menu appears on the left of the camera screen.
- Tap Music to search Instagram's music library.
- Choose which part of the song you want to play.
- If lyrics are available, choose a font style and use the slider to pick which lyrics show on the reel.
- Stories: while you edit a story, swipe up and choose the music sticker
- Your own sound: you can also record a reel with your own original audio instead of a library track
- Reused audio: on a public account, other people can record reels with your original audio. Instagram lets you switch off reuse on its Meta AI apps under Sharing and reuse in your settings
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Add music, effects and more to your reel on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: What audio you can use in your reel on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Access to the licensed music library on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
Why can't a business account use some songs?
Meta's business help centre says the music in Instagram's licensed library is meant for personal, non-commercial use. To keep it out of commercial use, certain business accounts and certain types of posts don't get the library, and licensed music isn't available in every country or region.
The alternative is Meta's Sound Collection: more than 14,000 royalty-free songs and sounds that Meta says are safe to use in Reels and Stories, including for commercial purposes such as ads. You find it by tapping Audio in the Reels camera, or by swiping up and choosing the music sticker in Stories.
Our advice: if a post promotes your business, pick from Sound Collection or use your own audio, even when a chart song shows up for you. Instagram also says all licensed audio must credit the artist and track name.
Sources: Meta Business Help Centre: Access to the licensed music library on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: What audio you can use in your reel on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
What if the music is missing or muted?
Instagram lists a few reasons a song may be missing or muted: the licensed library isn't available for your account type or country, its agreements with rights holders changed, or a rights holder blocked your content. A post with muted audio can still be viewed, and you can swap the track once:
- Open the post with the muted audio in the Instagram app.
- Tap Audio unavailable.
- Tap Replace audio, then tap Replace audio again.
- Choose the part of the new track you want.
- Tap Done in the top right, then tap Done again to save.
- You can only replace a muted track one time, with licensed audio from the Instagram audio library
- If you can't use the licensed library at all, add audio from Sound Collection instead
- If you can't hear someone else's music, the track may not be available in your country, or it may have been muted or taken down
Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Replace muted audio on your Instagram post, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Problems with audio on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026
Keeping the posts coming
Disclosure: this is our product. Zolyp plans, writes and designs Instagram posts, carousels, reels and stories in your brand's style, and publishes them once you approve each one. There's a 3-day free trial, no card required.
Common questions
Can I add music to an Instagram post after posting?
Instagram's help centre describes adding music before you share. After posting, it only documents replacing a track that has been muted, which you can do once.
Why can't I add music to my carousel?
Music can't be added to carousels that contain a video, and carousel music isn't available on computers. Use the app and a photo-only carousel.
Can business accounts use popular songs on Instagram?
Not always. Meta says certain business accounts and post types don't have access to the licensed music library. Sound Collection's royalty-free tracks can be used commercially.
Why is the music on my Instagram post muted?
Usually because licensing agreements with rights holders changed, your account doesn't have library access, or a rights holder blocked the post. The post stays visible.
Can I play music during an Instagram live?
Instagram recommends short clips and a visual focus. The more full-length recorded tracks a live video has, the more likely it is to be muted or blocked.