You can change the song on an Instagram post, but only before you publish it
Once you share a post to your Instagram feed, you cannot edit the audio track. If the song is already live, you have two options: delete the post and upload it again with a different song, or leave it as is. Instagram does not let you swap out the audio on a published post the way you can edit the caption or location.
If you have not yet published the post — you are still in the editing screen before you tap "Share" — you can change the song as many times as you want. The process is straightforward and takes a few seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Before publishing, tap the music icon in the editing screen to add, remove, or swap the song without any limit.
- Once a post goes live to your feed, the audio is locked and cannot be changed through Instagram's editing tools.
- If you need a different song on a live post, you must delete it and upload the video again from scratch.
- Reels and Stories have the same rule: change the song before you post, not after.
How to change the song before you publish
Open Instagram and start creating a post or Reel the way you normally would. Once you have selected your video or photo, you will see editing options at the bottom of the screen. Look for the music icon — it looks like a musical note.
Tap the music icon. Instagram will open its audio library, showing you trending songs, songs from your saved music, and a search bar. Browse or search for the song you want. When you find it, tap it to add it to your post. If you already have a song selected and want to change it, tapping a new song will replace the old one automatically.
You can adjust where the song starts and stops by trimming the audio track. Once you are happy with the song and the timing, continue with your caption, location tags, and other settings. Only when you tap "Share" is the post locked in.
What happens if you already published the post
If the post is already on your feed, Instagram's edit tools will let you change the caption, location tag, and who can see it — but not the audio. The music icon does not appear in the editing menu for published posts.
Your only path forward is to delete the post and upload it again. Go to your profile, find the post, tap the three dots in the corner, and select "Delete." Then create a new post with the same video or photo and choose the song you want this time. This means you will lose any likes, comments, or shares the original post had.
The same rule applies to Reels and Stories
Instagram Reels work the same way: change the song before you publish, not after. Once a Reel is live on your profile or the Explore page, the audio is permanent. You can edit the caption and visibility settings, but not the music.
Stories are slightly different because they disappear after 24 hours, but the rule is the same — you cannot change the song after posting. If you upload a Story with the wrong song, delete it and post again.
Why Instagram locks the audio after publishing
Instagram treats audio as part of the post's permanent record. The platform tracks which songs are used in which posts for licensing and analytics reasons. Allowing users to change audio after publishing would create confusion about what song was actually in the post at any given time, and it would complicate how Instagram reports music usage to rights holders.
This is also why you cannot read a post with audio and re-upload it to your own account without Instagram detecting the music — the platform is designed to keep audio tied to the original post.
Tips for choosing the right song the first time
Preview the song before you add it to your post. When you tap a song in the audio library, Instagram plays a sample so you can hear how it sounds. Listen to at least a few seconds to make sure it matches the mood of your video.
Think about where the song will start. Some songs have long intros or quiet beginnings. If your video is short, you might want to trim the audio to skip the intro and get to the part you like. You can also adjust the volume of the song relative to any other audio in the video (like dialogue or background noise).
Save songs you like to your music library as you browse. This way, if you are not sure about a song right now but think you might use it later, you can find it quickly without searching again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the song on a post if I save it as a draft?
Yes. If you save a post as a draft before publishing, you can open the draft, tap the music icon, and change the song. The draft is not live yet, so all editing options are available. Once you publish the draft, the audio becomes locked.
What if I want to use a song that is not in Instagram's library?
Instagram's audio library is the only source for music on posts and Reels. You cannot upload your own audio file or use a song from outside the app. If the song you want is not available, you may need to choose a different track or check back later — Instagram adds new songs regularly.
If I delete a post and reupload it with a new song, will it get the same engagement?
No. When you delete a post, all likes, comments, and shares are lost. The new post will start with zero engagement. It will also appear as a new post in your timeline, not as an edit of the original, so your followers will see it as a fresh upload.
Can I mute the song on a published post?
No. Once a post is live, you cannot adjust the volume or mute the audio through Instagram's editing tools. If you need the post without music, you have to delete it and upload again.
Do I need to own the rights to the song I use?
No. Instagram's audio library contains licensed music, so you can use any song in the library without worrying about copyright strikes. If you use music from outside Instagram's library, you risk having the audio muted or the post removed.