You cannot change a song on an Instagram post after you publish it

Once you post a Reel, Story, or feed video to Instagram with a song attached, you cannot edit that audio track while the post stays live. Instagram does not offer an edit function that lets you swap out the music, adjust the volume of the original audio, or remove the song entirely after publishing.

Your only option is to delete the post and upload a new version with different music. This means losing any likes, comments, or shares the original post received. If the post is important to your account, this trade-off may not be worth it.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram has no built-in tool to change or remove audio from a post after it goes live.
  • You must delete the original post and upload a new video if you want to use different music.
  • You can mute or adjust audio levels before you publish, but not after.
  • Stories with music can be deleted and re-uploaded without losing engagement, since Stories disappear after 24 hours anyway.
  • If you want to keep the post but change the music, you will need to re-edit the video in a separate app and re-upload it as a new post.

How to delete and repost with new music

Open the post you want to change. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select Delete. Confirm the deletion. The post and all its engagement will be removed from your profile.

Next, open the video file in your phone's camera roll or a video editing app. Remove the old audio or re-edit the video to include new music from Instagram's music library or your own audio file. Save the edited version to your phone.

Go to Instagram, tap the plus icon to create a new post, and upload the edited video. Add the new song from the music library during the upload process, write your caption, and publish. This new post will start with zero engagement, but it will have the audio you want.

Changing music before you publish

If you have not yet posted the video, you can change the song while still in the upload screen. After you select your video, Instagram shows you audio options. Tap the music icon and search for a different track, or use Your Audio to upload a file from your phone.

You can also adjust the volume balance between the original video audio and the song. Slide the Original Audio bar to mute the background sound from your video, or slide the Music bar to lower the song volume. Make these changes before you tap Share or Post.

Why Instagram does not let you edit audio after posting

Instagram's music licensing agreements require the platform to track which songs are used in which posts. Once a post is published, changing the audio would break that record and create legal complications with the music rights holders. Deleting and reposting is the only way to update the licensing information.

This limitation also applies to Stories, Reels, and feed videos equally. No post type allows audio editing after publishing.

What to do if you want to keep the post but change the music

If the post has significant engagement and you do not want to lose it, you have two choices: leave it as is, or accept the loss and repost with new music.

Some creators screenshot or read the video before deleting, then re-upload it with new audio as a Reel instead of a feed post, or vice versa. This gives the new version a different format and may help it reach a different audience. You could also post the edited version to your Stories or as a separate Reel to test the new audio without deleting the original.

Using Instagram's music library to avoid regret

Before you publish any video, spend a moment browsing Instagram's built-in music library. Search by mood, genre, or artist name. Preview the song by tapping the play button. Listen to how it sounds with your video before you commit to posting.

If you are unsure about a song choice, post to Stories first instead of your main feed. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so you can test the audio with your audience and delete it without permanent loss. If the song works, you can then post the same video to your feed or as a Reel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mute a song on Instagram after I post it?

No. Once the post is live, you cannot adjust the volume, mute the music, or remove it. You must delete the post and repost with the audio adjusted in a video editor before uploading.

What happens to likes and comments if I delete a post and repost it?

All likes, comments, and shares are lost when you delete the post. The new post starts with zero engagement. This is why many creators think twice before changing music on a popular post.

Can I change the song on a Reel after posting?

No. Reels follow the same rule as feed videos and Stories. Once published, the audio cannot be changed. You must delete the Reel and upload a new version.

Is there an app that lets me edit Instagram posts after publishing?

No third-party app can change the audio on a live Instagram post. Instagram's system does not allow external editing of published content. You must use Instagram's own delete-and-repost method.

Can I upload my own music instead of using Instagram's library?

Yes, but only before you publish. During upload, tap Your Audio to add a song from your phone's files. Once the post is live, you cannot swap this audio for a different track without deleting and reposting.