You can change a song on an Instagram post, but only before you publish it

Once you publish a post with audio, Instagram does not let you swap the song for a different one. You cannot edit the audio after the post goes live. If you want a different song, you have to delete the post and create a new one with the audio you prefer.

The window to change your mind is during the creation process — after you select your photo or video but before you tap "Share". At that stage, you can remove the current song, choose a new one, or post without music entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • Audio cannot be changed on a post after you publish it; you must delete and repost if you want a different song.
  • You can swap songs while creating the post, before you tap "Share".
  • Removing a song from a draft post takes one tap on the X next to the audio name.
  • If you have already published the post, delete it from your profile, then create a new post with the song you want.
  • Stories allow audio changes up to 24 hours after posting, but feed posts do not.

How to change a song before publishing

Open Instagram and start creating a post as usual — select a photo or video from your camera roll. After you choose your image or video, tap the music icon (it looks like a note) if it appears on the editing screen. This takes you to Instagram's music library.

If a song is already attached, you will see its name at the bottom of the screen. Tap the X next to the song name to remove it. Then search for a new song by typing the title or artist name into the search box. Scroll through the results and tap the song you want. Preview it by tapping the play button, then tap "Use Song" to confirm. After that, continue editing and tap "Share" to post.

If no song appears on your editing screen, the post type you chose may not support music — Reels and Stories support audio, but some photo posts do not depending on your account type and region.

What happens if you already published the post

Once a post is live on your feed, the audio is locked in. Instagram offers no way to edit the song after publishing. Your only option is to delete the post and create a new one.

To delete the post, go to your profile, find the post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Delete". After you confirm, the post is gone. Then create a new post with the same photo or video and attach the song you want instead.

This means any likes, comments, or shares on the original post will be lost. If the post has engagement you want to keep, you may decide it is not worth reposting just to change the audio.

Stories are different — you have 24 hours

Instagram Stories work differently from feed posts. You can change the audio on a Story up to 24 hours after you post it, as long as the Story is still visible. Tap the three dots on your Story, select "Edit", and then tap the music icon to swap the song.

After 24 hours, the Story disappears and you cannot edit it. If you want to repost a Story with different audio after it expires, you have to create it again from scratch.

Why Instagram locks audio after publishing

Instagram's design prevents post edits to protect music licensing and copyright. When you publish a post with a song, Instagram logs which artist and track you used. Allowing changes after publishing would create gaps in that record and make it harder for rights holders to track how their music is being used.

The restriction also keeps the platform's feed stable — if posts could change their audio without warning, users might see different content than they did when they first engaged with it.

Reels give you more flexibility

If you are posting a video, consider using Instagram Reels instead of a regular video post. Reels are designed for audio and give you more control. You can add, remove, or change the song while editing a Reel before you publish, just like a regular post. However, once a Reel is published, the audio is also locked.

Reels also let you adjust the volume of the original video audio and layer it with the song, giving you more creative options than a standard post.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mute a song after I post it?

No. Once a post is published, you cannot change or remove its audio. You would have to delete the post and create a new one without the song, or with a different song at a lower volume.

What if I want to keep the post but change the song?

You cannot do this. Instagram does not offer a way to edit audio on published posts. Delete the original post and create a new one with the same photo or video and the song you prefer.

Do I lose my likes and comments if I delete and repost?

Yes. When you delete a post, all engagement — likes, comments, and shares — disappears. The new post starts with zero engagement. This is why many people decide to leave a post as-is rather than repost it for a different song.

Can I change the song on a Reel after publishing?

No. Reels work the same way as regular posts — once published, the audio is locked. You must delete the Reel and create a new one if you want different music.

Why can't I see a music option when I create a post?

Not all Instagram accounts or regions have access to the music library on every post type. Reels and Stories have broader music support. If you do not see a music icon, try creating a Reel instead, or check that your app is up to date.