You can add music to Instagram posts on a computer, but only through the mobile app or by uploading video
Instagram's desktop website does not have a built-in music feature for static image posts. If you want to add a song to a photo on your computer, you have two real options: use Instagram's mobile app on a phone or tablet, or create a video file on your computer that includes audio, then upload that video to Instagram instead of a photo.
The mobile app route is faster if you have a phone nearby. The video route gives you more control over which song plays and for how long, but requires a few extra steps on your computer first.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's desktop website does not let you add music to photo posts, only the mobile app does.
- You can add music to a video post on desktop by uploading a video file you created on your computer that already contains audio.
- The mobile app method is faster: open the app, create a post, tap the music icon, and choose a song from Instagram's library.
- If you create a video file on your computer with music, use free software like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut to combine your image and audio.
- Instagram's music library on mobile includes millions of songs, but availability varies by country and licensing agreements.
Adding music through the Instagram mobile app
The simplest way to add music to an Instagram post is to use the mobile app on your phone or tablet. Open Instagram, tap the plus icon at the bottom to create a new post, and select the photo you want to upload. After you choose the photo, you will see a row of editing tools at the bottom of the screen—one of them is a music note icon.
Tap the music note icon and Instagram will open a search screen showing songs organized by mood, genre, and trending tracks. You can search by song title or artist name, or scroll through the curated lists. Once you find the song you want, tap it to preview how it sounds with your photo. You can adjust which part of the song plays by dragging the slider to choose the start point, and the audio will loop if your post is longer than the song.
After you select the song and adjust the timing, finish editing your caption and other post details, then tap "Share" to publish. The music will be attached to your post and visible to anyone who watches it.
Creating a video with music on your computer instead
If you want to add music to a post but do not have a phone nearby, you can create a short video file on your computer that includes both your image and the music, then upload that video to Instagram as a post instead of a photo. This method takes longer but works entirely from your desktop.
You will need free video editing software. DaVinci Resolve (available for Windows and Mac) and Shotcut (also Windows and Mac) are both free and can combine an image with an audio file. read and install one of these programs, then open it and create a new project.
In DaVinci Resolve, drag your image into the media pool, then drag it onto the timeline. Right-click on the image in the timeline and set its duration to match how long you want the video to be—usually 15 to 60 seconds. Then drag your audio file (the song) onto the audio track below the image. Export the finished video as an MP4 file, which Instagram accepts.
In Shotcut, open your image as a project, set the duration in the properties panel, then drag your audio file onto the audio track. Export as MP4. Both programs have tutorials built into their help menus if you get stuck.
Finding and downloading music for your video
If you want to use a specific song, you need to read an audio file to your computer first. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music do not let you read songs for reuse in videos—that violates their licensing terms. Instead, use royalty-free music sites where creators share songs you can legally use.
YouTube Audio Library (part of YouTube Studio, free with a Google account) has thousands of songs and sound effects you can read without copyright strikes. Pixabay Music and Pexels Music are also free and do not require attribution. Search for a song by mood or genre, read the MP3 file to your computer, and use it in your video editor.
If you want to use a copyrighted song from a major artist, Instagram's mobile app handles the licensing for you—that is why the music feature works on the phone. On desktop, you cannot use that same library, so stick with royalty-free sources.
Uploading your video post to Instagram on desktop
Once you have created and exported your video file, go to Instagram.com on your computer and log in. Click the plus icon at the top left to create a new post. Select "Post" from the menu, then click "Select from computer" and choose your video file.
Instagram will upload the video and show you a preview. Add your caption, tags, and other details as you normally would for a photo post. The audio from your video will play automatically when someone watches the post—you do not need to add music again.
Keep in mind that Instagram compresses video files, which can sometimes reduce audio quality slightly. If the sound matters a lot to you, test the upload on a smaller post first to hear how it sounds after compression.
Limitations and things to know
Instagram's music feature on the mobile app works in most countries, but some songs are not available in all regions due to licensing restrictions. If you search for a song and it does not appear, it may not be licensed in your country.
If you upload a video with copyrighted music using the desktop method, Instagram may mute the audio or claim the copyright on your post, meaning the song's artist or label gets credit and any ad revenue from the post. This is not a violation—it is how Instagram handles copyright—but you should know it can happen.
Stories and Reels have their own music features on desktop that work differently from regular posts. Stories on mobile have a music sticker, and Reels have a built-in audio library on both desktop and mobile. If you are posting to Stories or Reels instead of a regular post, the process is simpler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add music to an Instagram post on the desktop website?
No, the desktop website does not have a music feature for photo posts. You must use the mobile app or create a video file on your computer that already contains audio, then upload the video instead.
What if I do not have a phone to use the mobile app?
Create a video file on your computer using free software like DaVinci Resolve or Shotcut. Combine your image with an audio file, export as MP4, and upload the video to Instagram on desktop. The process takes 10 to 15 minutes once you learn the software.
Will Instagram remove my post if I use copyrighted music?
No, but Instagram may mute the audio or claim the copyright on your behalf, giving credit and revenue to the copyright holder. To avoid this, use royalty-free music from YouTube Audio Library, Pixabay, or Pexels instead.
Can I add music to an Instagram Story on desktop?
No, Stories also require the mobile app. Open the app, swipe up to create a Story, take or upload a photo, tap the music sticker, and choose a song the same way you would for a regular post.
How long can the music play in my post?
On the mobile app, the song loops to fill the length of your post, so it can play as long as your image is displayed. If you create a video on desktop, the music plays for the duration of the video file you created—usually 15 to 60 seconds.