How to Add Music to Your Instagram Story

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(Pocket-lint) – In a bid to crack down on TikTok, Instagram is allowing its users to add music to their Instagram Stories. It even offers an entire library of licensed music. Most users currently have access to it (although some business accounts and post types don’t, according to Instagram’s support page). Here’s how to find Instagram’s music library, plus how to add music to your Instagram Story.

How to Add Music to Your Instagram Story

You can find Instagram’s music library by swiping up from the story you just captured, then selecting the music sticker in Stories.

Step One: Capture a Photo or Video for Your Story

To capture a photo or video for your story, open the latest version of the Instagram app for Android and iPhone, then follow these steps:

1. Tap + at the top or swipe right anywhere in the feed.
2. Scroll down to Story at the bottom of the screen.
3. Touch o at the bottom of the screen to take a photo, or touch and hold to record a video.

To choose a photo or video from your phone’s gallery or camera roll, swipe up anywhere on the screen. You might see gallery suggestions to help you choose what to share.

Step two: Switch to the music sticker

After capturing a photo or video for your story, you can then use creative tools – like music – to edit it before sharing. To add music to your story, you must first find the music sticker.

1. When previewing your story before sharing, tap the sticker icon at the top.
2. Search for music.
3. Select the music sticker that appears (the icon has a waveform symbol).

If you don’t see the music sticker in Stories, make sure your app is updated to the latest version by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store. The music sticker is available for most users.

Step Three: Find the Music You Want to Use

If you have access to Instagram’s music sticker, you can then find songs to use in Instagram’s licensed music library.

1. From the music sticker, search for a song.
2. Tap the one you want.
3. You can edit the part of the song you want to play in your story.
4. Swipe left to see all effects and select the one you want to use.
5. Tap Done when finished.

Step Four: Share Your Story

When you’ve added music to your photo or video and are ready to share it to your Instagram Stories, just tap Your Story at the bottom left of the preview screen. There it’s done !

You want to know more ?

Check out Pocket-lint’s full separate guide to Instagram Stories: What are Instagram Stories and how do they work?

Written by Maggie Tillman.