How to Add Music to Instagram Posts (Feed Photos, Videos, and Carousel)

Audiodrome   |   Last Updated: February 10th, 2026   |   19 min read   |   Blog

You’re in the right place if you want music on a photo post, a carousel, or a regular feed video. If you’re making a Reel, Instagram uses the Reels editor instead. If you’re posting a Story, you’ll use the Story composer, which follows different steps.

Decide on the music source (the workflow depends on this)

Your music source decides which “add music” workflow you can use for a feed post.

For personal (non-commercial)

Personal use means you share a post for your audience without a brand goal behind it. You post to entertain, update friends, or share a moment, and you keep money and client work out of the plan. You also skip boosting, sponsorship deliverables, and product promotion.

The in-app licensed music library fits this lane because Instagram lets you add music while you post. You reach the Add audio step after you pick your photo or video and move through the Next screens. You choose a track, pick a clip, preview once, then publish with the audio label attached to the post.

For commercial / non-personal

Commercial use starts the moment your post supports a business outcome. A client, a brand, a product, or a budget shifts the goal from sharing to promotion. Plan for review, stricter checks, and a higher need for documentation before you publish.

Commercial and non-personal use requires rights that cover the platform and the way you publish. Choose a source that gives you permission for promotion, ads, and branded work when that applies. Save proof in one place so you can answer questions fast if Instagram flags audio.

Meta Sound Collection (where available)

For business-friendly creation, Meta Sound Collection offers a catalog designed for commercial use. It works well when you want a faster path with fewer licensing questions for promotional content. Availability varies by region, account, and surface, so rely on what you see inside your publishing tools and keep a screenshot for your records.

Your own / properly licensed track

Your own track or a properly licensed royalty-free track gives you direct control over commercial rights. Choose a license that covers Instagram publishing and paid promotion when you plan boosted delivery. Keep the invoice, license terms, track title, and date together so your proof matches the exact audio in the post.

If you want full control for commercial posts, use an editor-first workflow. Add the music in a video editor, export the final file, then upload it as a feed video post. This path keeps your audio choice consistent across versions and helps you document the exact track you used.

Decide on the format

A feed post can be a single image, a single video, or a carousel. A single image works when you want a simple update and you rely on Instagram’s Add audio step to place music on top. A single video works when you want full control, since you can combine music and visuals in an editor first, then upload the finished video.

A carousel combines multiple images or videos in one post, and Instagram plays the same audio across the full swipe experience. Plan the order before you add music so the first slide sets the tone and the rest stays consistent. If you build the carousel as a video in an editor, you control timing and music cues, then upload it as a video post instead of a swipe carousel.

Add music to a feed post (photo or video)

Open Instagram and tap the plus icon in the top left. This starts the creation flow from your home screen.

On the creation menu, choose Post. This keeps you in the feed post workflow instead of Story or Reel.

On the New post media screen, choose your photo or video. Tap Next in the top right to move forward.

On the edit screen, tap Audio in the bottom tool row. Instagram opens the music picker so you can choose a track for the post.

Use the search bar to find a song, or browse tabs like For you, Trending, Original audio, and Saved. Pick the lane that matches how you want to discover music.

Scroll the song list and tap the track you want to use. Instagram selects the track and opens the clip editor.

On the clip screen, drag the selector along the waveform to choose the exact part of the song. Tap Done to confirm the clip.

Back on the New post screen, you will see the chosen track under Add music. Review it once, then tap Share to publish your feed post with music.

Pro tip: Screenshot the Add music screen showing the track name and artist right before Share. It creates a quick reference when issues appear later.

Add music to a carousel post (multiple photos)

On the New post screen, tap the layered squares icon in the bottom right. This turns on multi-select so you can build a carousel instead of a single image.

Tap each photo you want in the carousel. Instagram marks your picks with numbers so you can control the order, then you tap Next in the top right.

On the edit screen, tap Audio in the bottom toolbar. Pick a song, choose the clip you want, tap Done, then tap Next to move to the final post screen.

On the New post screen, confirm the Add music row shows your selected track and the carousel preview looks right. Add your caption if you want, then tap Share to publish.

Can you add music to a post from a desktop?

Instagram’s in-app music picker for feed posts is mainly a mobile feature, so desktop posting often lets you upload media and write captions but not choose a track in the posting flow. If you don’t see “Audio” or “Add music” on desktop, it’s not you – it’s the workflow.

What you can do on desktop

Desktop Instagram works well for the publishing basics. You can upload your file, write the caption, tag people, add a location, and publish without friction. This flow shines when you batch posts, collaborate with a team, or start from files you edited on your computer.

What you usually can’t do on desktop

Instagram designed feed music as a mobile creation feature, so the desktop flow often stops before you see an Audio or Add music option. That gap explains why people search for a desktop button that never shows up in the browser. When you need music, plan for a mobile finish or build the audio into the file before you upload.

Two reliable workarounds (pick one)

Workaround 1: Finish on mobile when you want the Instagram music label on the post. Start the post in the app, choose your photo or video, then add music in the Post flow before you share. You get the familiar music picker, you preview the clip, and Instagram attaches the audio label to the post.

Workaround 2: Embed the music before upload when you publish from desktop and want a repeatable workflow. Add the track in your editor, export one finished video file, then upload that file as a feed video post on desktop. This method keeps the sound consistent because the audio lives inside the video, not inside Instagram’s music picker.

Mobile vs desktop music workflow

Use this flowchart when you feel stuck between Instagram’s in app music tabs and a desktop editing setup. Start by deciding whether the post stays personal or supports commercial goals, then follow the branch that matches how you publish.

If your post infringes copyright

After you publish, Instagram may review the audio or a rights holder may flag it, and that is when copyright issues usually show up.

Copyright outcomes

Instagram can mute your audio, block playback in some places, limit distribution, or remove the post. You may see a notice that says audio is unavailable, or you may lose access to certain features tied to the post. In some cases, a rights holder may allow the post to stay up while monetization terms change, such as revenue sharing.

Replace muted audio on a post

Open the post that shows Audio unavailable and tap that notice to view your options. Tap Replace audio, then confirm Replace audio again to enter the picker and preview alternatives. Choose a replacement track, confirm your selection, and save so the post plays with the new audio.

What can you replace it with

The replacement picker usually shows a list of tracks you can select and preview right away, with search and browsing options. You may see fewer choices than the full music picker, especially when the post needs a safer replacement. When the list looks limited, pick audio from a source you can document and keep your license or proof in one folder.

Dispute

Instagram provides a way to dispute some copyright decisions when you believe you have the rights or the claim is incorrect. Gather proof that matches the exact audio you used, such as a license, receipt, permission email, or ownership details. Submit the dispute through the option shown in the notice or in your account status area, and keep the explanation short and specific.

Common problems and quick answers

A song can disappear when Instagram changes what it offers in your country, when your account has limited access, or when the catalog shifts over time. You may see the track vanish from search, or you may lose the Add music option for that choice. Start with the fast fixes in the troubleshooting section, then check the outcomes page if the post already shows a notice.

Sometimes audio plays on your phone, yet stays silent for someone else. Instagram can limit playback by country, device, app version, or account status, so two people can see the same post with different audio results. Ask a friend in a different location to check, then use the troubleshooting steps and the outcomes page to match the symptom to the fix.

Boosting changes a feed post from regular sharing to paid delivery, and that shift brings stricter review for audio. Music that works for organic reach can fail during promotion, which leads to rejection or muted sound after you spend time on setup. Use your ad safe music workflow and your Ads Manager setup guide before you boost.

Heads-up: Boosting triggers stricter audio review, so a song that works for organic reach can fail in paid delivery. Choose ad safe music first.

FAQs

These quick answers cover the questions people run into when they try to add music to a feed post, especially photo posts and carousels.

How do I add music to a post I already published?

Instagram does not offer a reliable way to add music to a normal feed post after you publish it. If your post shows Audio unavailable, you can use Replace audio to swap the muted track for a new one. If you simply want music on an older post, repost the content with music added during creation, or share the post to a Story and add music there.

How do I add music to a photo post?

Start a new post, pick your photo, then move forward until you reach the screen that shows Audio or Add music. Choose a track, pick the clip that fits, confirm, then share the post as usual. If you cannot find the option, update the app and use your troubleshooting section to confirm you are in the Post flow.

How do I add music to a post with multiple photos?

Create a new post and turn on multi-select so Instagram builds a carousel instead of a single image. Select your photos in order, tap Next, then add music from the Audio option on the edit screen, and confirm the clip. Finish on the final screen and share, then check that the music row shows your selected track.

Why can’t I add audio to a photo carousel after an update?

Instagram can change where the Audio option appears, and some updates change which account types or regions get certain features first. Start by confirming you turned on multi-select and reached the edit screen where Audio normally shows, then restart the app and try again after an update. If the option still does not appear, use the editor first workflow to publish the carousel as a single video post with music included.

Keep your workflow repeatable

Use one workflow you can repeat: choose the source, choose the format, then add music in the app or export a finished video. Save proof when money enters the post. When Instagram changes buttons, your process stays steady, and your posts keep their sound.

Author: Dragan Plushkovski

Hey there! I’m the founder of Audiodrome and a longtime creative in the digital product space. I’ve worked on over 60 product launches, managed video and music production workflows, and now help creators find the perfect royalty-free tracks for their content.

I understand how the law works behind the content we create, because I’ve spent years dealing with it firsthand. Alongside building Audiodrome, I’ve worked as a licensed forensic accountant and run a trademark protection agency, so I know what it takes to stay compliant, protect your content, and avoid the traps that catch so many creators off guard.

You can also find my work at mojbrend.mk (trademark protection, Macedonian) and plushkovski.com (forensic accounting, Macedonian). Read More

Audiodrome was created by professionals with deep roots in video marketing, product launches, and music production. After years of dealing with confusing licenses, inconsistent music quality, and copyright issues, we set out to build a platform that creators could actually trust.

Every piece of content we publish is based on real-world experience, industry insights, and a commitment to helping creators make smart, confident decisions about music licensing.

Resources

Meta – Music Guidelines (commercial or non-personal use needs appropriate licenses) Instagram Help Center – Restricted access to the licensed music library (business accounts, post types, and regions) Instagram Help Center – Add music/audio to an Instagram feed post (Create → Post → Add music) Instagram Help Center – Add music to Stories using the Music sticker Instagram Help Center – Add music or audio to Reels (Audio tools in the Reel editor) Meta Business Help – Add music in Ads Manager (availability by format and placement) U.S. Copyright Office – Circular 30 (Works Made for Hire and why written terms matter)

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