Putting music on Instagram Stories is a popular way to add an extra touch of creativity and entertainment to your posts. With just a few simple steps, you can enhance your stories and make them more engaging for your followers. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of adding music to your Instagram Stories, giving you multiple methods to choose from. Whether you want to add your favorite song, a trending hit, or a customized soundtrack, we’ve got you covered.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Put Music on Your Instagram Story
There are several reasons why you should consider adding music to your Instagram Stories:
1. Enhance the mood: Music has the power to evoke emotions and set the tone for your story. Whether you want to convey excitement, happiness, or nostalgia, the right music can enhance the overall mood of your content.
2. Grab attention: Adding music to your Instagram Stories can help capture your viewer’s attention from the very beginning. It can make your story more intriguing and encourage your followers to watch it till the end.
3. Showcase your personality: By choosing the right song, you can express your personality and taste in music. It adds a personal touch to your stories and allows your followers to connect with you on a deeper level.
Now that we understand the importance of adding music to your Instagram Stories, let’s dive into the various methods you can use to achieve this.
Method 1: Using Instagram’s Music Library
Instagram provides a vast library of licensed music that you can choose from to add to your stories. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device and tap on the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen.
Step 2: Take a photo or record a video for your story by tapping the circular button at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3: After capturing the media, tap on the sticker icon located at the top of the screen. It looks like a square smiley face.
Step 4: From the sticker options, select the "Music" sticker.
Step 5: You will now see a library of songs. You can browse through various categories, including popular songs, mood, and genres. Alternatively, you can use the search bar to find a specific song.
Step 6: Once you’ve chosen a song, you can edit it by selecting the specific part you want to play and adding lyrics if desired.
Step 7: Customize the sticker’s display by resizing, moving, or rotating it on your screen.
Step 8: Tap on the "Done" button in the top right corner of the screen to add the music sticker to your story.
Pros:
1. Access to a wide range of licensed music.
2. Easy and user-friendly interface.
3. Ability to customize the selected song.
Cons:
1. Limited control over the length of the music clip.
2. May not have all the songs you desire.
3. The song might not perfectly match the mood or theme of your story.
Method 2: Via Third-Party Apps
If you want more control over the music selection and editing options, you can use third-party apps specifically designed for creating and enhancing Instagram Stories. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Download a third-party app that offers music features for Instagram Stories. Some popular options include InShot, Unfold, and Canva.
Step 2: Open the app and create a new project.
Step 3: Import the photo or video you want to include in your Instagram Story.
Step 4: Look for the music feature within the app. The location may vary depending on the app you’re using.
Step 5: Browse through the music library provided within the app or upload your own music.
Step 6: Select the portion of the song you want to use and adjust the volume if needed.
Step 7: Customize the display of the music sticker or animation according to your preference.
Step 8: Export or save the edited photo or video to your camera roll.
Step 9: Open the Instagram app and upload the edited media to your story.
Pros:
1. More control over music selection and editing options.
2. Ability to sync your music with specific moments in your story.
3. Options to add custom transitions, effects, or animations to your story.
Cons:
1. Additional download and usage of a third-party app.
2. Steeper learning curve for some apps.
3. Possible limitations regarding the availability of certain features in free versions of the app.
Method 3: Using a Background Music App
If you want to add background music to a video without editing it extensively or adding stickers, you can use a background music app. Here’s how:
Step 1: Download a background music app such as Add Music to Video or Music Video Maker.
Step 2: Open the app and import the video you want to add music to.
Step 3: Browse the app’s music library or upload your own music.
Step 4: Select the portion of the song you want to use or choose the "Auto" mode to let the app automatically match the music to your video’s length.
Step 5: Adjust the volume of the background music.
Step 6: Preview the video with the added background music.
Step 7: Save the video to your camera roll.
Step 8: Open the Instagram app and upload the video to your story.
Pros:
1. Simple and straightforward process to add background music to videos.
2. No need for extensive editing or additional stickers/animations.
3. Allows you to retain the original audio and overlay it with background music.
Cons:
1. Limited control over the music selection and synchronization with specific moments in your video.
2. May not have as many editing options as dedicated video editing apps.
3. Possible decrease in the overall video quality depending on the app’s compression settings.
Method 4: Using an External Music Player
If you want to add music to your Instagram Stories in real-time while recording, you can use an external music player. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open your favorite music streaming app, such as Spotify or Apple Music, on your mobile device.
Step 2: Play the song you want to add to your story.
Step 3: Open the Instagram app and tap on the camera icon.
Step 4: Swipe right to switch to the "Music" option.
Step 5: Swipe left to access the music control panel.
Step 6: Tap on the play button to start playing the music from your external music player.
Step 7: Record your Instagram Story while the music is playing.
Step 8: Add stickers, text, or additional edits to your story if desired.
Pros:
1. Real-time addition of music to your stories while recording.
2. Access to your personal music library or favorite streaming apps.
3. Greater flexibility in choosing songs and customizing your story.
Cons:
1. Requires seamless coordination between the music player and Instagram app.
2. May result in lower sound quality if recorded in a noisy environment.
3. Lack of precise timing and synchronization options for specific moments in your story.
What to Do If You Can’t Put Music on Your Instagram Story
If you encounter any difficulties in adding music to your Instagram Stories, here are a few potential fixes:
1. Update your Instagram app: Ensure that you have the latest version of Instagram installed on your device, as older versions may not support certain features.
2. Restart your device: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches and restore functionality.
3. Clear cache: Open your device’s settings, navigate to the Instagram app settings, and clear the cache. This can help resolve any stored data conflicts.
4. Check your internet connection: A stable internet connection is essential for accessing Instagram’s music library or streaming songs from external apps.
5. Try an alternative method: If one method doesn’t work, try another from the options discussed above. There are multiple ways to add music to your Instagram Stories, so one of them is likely to work for you.
Bonus Tips
Here are three bonus tips to enhance your music-filled Instagram Stories:
1. Experiment with different song genres: Don’t be afraid to explore various music genres to find the perfect match for your story. Different genres evoke different emotions and can add a unique touch to your content.
2. Use lyrics creatively: If you’re using Instagram’s music library, consider using the lyrics feature to highlight specific parts of the song. You can align the lyrics with the visuals in your story to create a synchronized and captivating experience.
3. Incorporate creative transitions: Use additional editing tools within third-party apps to add transitions between different segments of your story. This can create a smoother and more professional-looking final result.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I add music to an existing Instagram Story?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot add music to an existing Instagram Story once it has been posted. However, you can delete the story and repost it with the desired music.
Q2: Why can’t I find a specific song in Instagram’s music library?
A: Instagram’s music library is regularly updated, but it may not have every song available due to licensing or regional restrictions. Try searching for alternative versions or similar songs that convey the same vibe.
Q3: Can I add music to my Instagram Highlights?
A: No, currently, you can only add music to regular Instagram Stories and not to Highlights.
Q4: Will Instagram mute my story if I use copyrighted music?
A: Instagram has a system that detects copyrighted music and may mute your story, block it in certain regions, or limit its visibility. To avoid copyright issues, use music from Instagram’s library or royalty-free music from third-party apps.
Q5: Can I add music to my Instagram Story from my computer?
A: No, adding music to your Instagram Story can only be done through the Instagram app on a mobile device.
Final Thoughts
Adding music to your Instagram Stories can elevate your content and give your audience a more immersive and enjoyable viewing experience. Whether you choose to use Instagram’s music library, third-party apps, background music apps, or external music players, the key is to select music that complements your story’s mood and enhances its overall impact. Get creative, experiment with different methods, and let your stories come to life with the perfect soundtrack.