The Ultimate Guide on How to Add Music to Instagram Story

Instagram Stories have changed the way we share moments, and knowing how to add music to Instagram Story makes them even more engaging. Whether you’re capturing a fun day out, celebrating a special occasion, or simply setting the mood, take your content to the next level. Instagram offers a built-in music library, but there are also other creative ways to add custom tracks, ensuring your Stories stand out.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through different methods on how to add music to Instagram Story, troubleshoot common issues, and explore creative ways to enhance your Stories. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make your Instagram Stories more entertaining and interactive.

1. Why Adding Music to Instagram Stories Matters

Music has a powerful effect on storytelling, making your Instagram Stories more emotional, engaging, and memorable. A well-selected song can turn an ordinary Story into something special. Adding music enhances storytelling by setting the mood, whether it’s an energetic beat for a fun moment or a slow tune for a reflective post. It also increases engagement since viewers are more likely to watch and interact with Stories that include music. Moreover, it boosts creativity, giving you endless ways to experiment with sound and visuals.

Lastly, using trending songs can increase the visibility of your Story, helping you reach a larger audience. Now that you know why music is important, let’s dive into the different ways to add it to your Instagram Stories.

2. How to Add Music to Instagram Story Using Instagram’s Music Sticker

Instagram provides a built-in Music Sticker that allows you to add songs directly from its licensed library. This is the easiest way to enhance your Story with music without worrying about copyright issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Music Sticker:

1. Open Instagram and swipe right to access the Stories section.
2. Capture a photo or video, or select one from your gallery.
3. Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen.
4. Select the “Music” sticker from the list of options.
5. Search for a song using the search bar or browse Instagram’s suggested tracks.
6. Select the part of the song you want (Instagram allows you to choose a snippet up to 15 seconds long).
7. Customize how the music appears on your Story, choose between lyrics, album cover, or just the song title.
8. Drag and position the sticker anywhere on your Story.
9. Tap “Your Story” to share it with your followers.

This method is quick and convenient, but if the Music Sticker isn’t available for your account, there are alternative ways to add music.

3. How to Add Music to Instagram Story Without the Music Sticker

If the Music Sticker isn’t showing up on your Instagram, don’t worry, you can still add music manually using other methods. One way is by using third-party apps like InShot, CapCut, or Canva. These apps allow you to add music to your videos before uploading them to Instagram Stories.

Steps to Use a Third-Party App:

1. Download and install a video editing app like InShot.
2. Open the app and import the video or image you want to use in your Story.
3. Add a music track from the app’s library or upload your own song.
4. Adjust the music placement and trim it as needed.
5. Save the video and upload it to Instagram Stories.

Another simple trick is playing music in the background while recording your Story. You can do this by opening a music app like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music, playing the song you want, and then recording your Instagram Story while the music plays. While this method works, it won’t display the song’s title or lyrics like the Music Sticker does.

4. How to Add Your Own Music or Original Audio to Instagram Stories

If you’re an artist or want to use your own sound, Instagram allows you to upload custom music to your Stories. One way to do this is by uploading your music to streaming platforms like Spotify or TikTok, which can help get your songs added to Instagram’s music library. Another method is using the “Original Audio” feature. When you record a Story with your voice or custom music, Instagram labels it as “Original Audio,” allowing others to use it in their own content. This is a great way to personalize your Stories and make them stand out from the usual Instagram music options.

5. What to Do If Instagram Music Is Not Working

Sometimes, users face issues when trying to add music to their Stories. If the Music Sticker is missing, make sure your Instagram app is updated. If it’s still unavailable, try switching to a personal or creator account. If certain songs aren’t showing up in search, it could be due to licensing restrictions. In this case, try searching for different versions of the song or using a third-party app. If your Story plays without sound, restart your phone, clear the Instagram cache, or reinstall the app. If none of these solutions work, checking Instagram’s help center for updates on regional restrictions might help.

6. Creative Ways to Use Music in Instagram Stories

Now that you know how to add music to Instagram Story, let’s talk about some creative ways to make your Stories even more engaging. Matching music to your mood can enhance storytelling, upbeat songs work great for fun moments, while slow songs can create a more emotional impact. Using trending music is another smart move, as popular tracks can help boost your Story’s reach.

Combining music with text and stickers adds another layer of creativity, making your Stories more visually appealing. You can also create a themed Story series where you use similar music styles to maintain a consistent aesthetic. Experimenting with these techniques will help you make the most out of Instagram’s music features.

Conclusion

Adding music to Instagram Stories is one of the easiest ways to enhance your content and keep your followers engaged. Whether you use Instagram’s Music Sticker, third-party apps, or original audio, there are multiple ways to make your Stories stand out. Choosing the right music can make your content more emotional, memorable, and interactive. Now that you know how to add music to Instagram Story start experimenting with different songs, styles, and creative ideas to see what works best for you.

And if you’re also looking to enhance your regular Instagram posts, check out this guide on add music to Instagram post to make your entire feed more dynamic!