You can change a song on an Instagram post after you've published it, but only if the post is a Reel
Instagram lets you swap out the audio track on a Reel even after it goes live. You cannot change the song on a regular feed post or a story once it's published — those are locked in. But if your Reel has the wrong song, or you want to use a different track, you can edit it directly from your profile without deleting and reposting.
The process takes about two minutes. You'll need to open the Reel from your profile, tap the three-dot menu, select "Edit," and then choose a new song from Instagram's audio library. The video itself stays the same — only the audio track changes.
Key Takeaways
- You can only change songs on Reels, not on regular feed posts or stories once they're published.
- Open your profile, find the Reel you want to edit, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Edit" to access the audio options.
- Instagram's audio library has thousands of songs, but some may not be available in your region or may have licensing restrictions.
- Changing the song does not affect the video length, captions, or any other edits you've already made to the Reel.
Step-by-step: editing the song on your Reel
Start by opening Instagram and going to your profile. Scroll down until you find the Reel whose song you want to change. Tap the Reel to open it in full screen.
Once the Reel is open, look for the three-dot menu icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. Tap it. A menu will appear with several options, including "Edit." Tap "Edit" to enter editing mode.
When you enter the edit screen, you'll see the video timeline at the bottom and a row of editing tools above it. Look for the audio icon — it looks like a musical note or speaker symbol. Tap it to open the audio library. From there, you can browse songs by category, search for a specific track, or scroll through trending audio. Select your new song by tapping it, and Instagram will preview how it sounds with your video.
Once you've chosen the song you want, tap "Done" or "Save" (the exact button name varies by device). Instagram will process the change and update your Reel. The new song is now live on your post — no need to republish or repost.
What happens to the timing when you change songs
When you swap songs, Instagram does not automatically adjust the video to match the new song's length or beat. If your original song was 15 seconds and your new song is 30 seconds, your Reel will still be 15 seconds — the new song will just play for the first 15 seconds and then cut off.
If the new song is shorter than your video, the audio will loop (repeat) to fill the remaining time. This can sound awkward if the loop happens in the middle of a verse or chorus. Test the preview before saving to make sure the timing works for you.
If you need the song to sync perfectly with specific moments in your video — like a beat drop or a lyric — you may need to trim the video or choose a different song. You can adjust the video length while in edit mode by dragging the timeline handles at the bottom of the screen.
Songs that may not be available to use
Instagram's audio library is large, but not every song is available everywhere. Some tracks are restricted by region due to licensing agreements. If you search for a song and it shows a "not available" message, it means that particular track cannot be used in your country or on your account type.
Some songs are also restricted to certain account types. Business accounts and accounts in certain regions may have a smaller audio library than personal accounts. If a song worked for you before but now shows as unavailable, it may have been removed from the library or your region's access may have changed.
If you cannot find the song you want, try searching for a cover version or a remix — these sometimes have different licensing and may be available when the original is not. You can also browse trending audio in your region to discover similar songs that are currently available.
Troubleshooting: when the edit button doesn't appear
If you tap the three-dot menu and don't see an "Edit" option, the most common reason is that your Reel is too old. Instagram only allows you to edit Reels that are less than 90 days old. If your Reel is older than that, you'll need to delete it and repost it with the new song.
Another reason the edit option may not appear is if your account is a business or creator account with certain restrictions. Some business accounts have limited editing features. If this is the case, try switching to a personal account temporarily, or contact Instagram support to check your account settings.
If the edit button appears but the audio library won't load, try closing the app completely and reopening it. Make sure you have the latest version of Instagram installed. If the problem persists, try editing on a different device or using Instagram's web version on a computer.
Changing songs on Reels you didn't create
You can only edit Reels that you posted yourself. If someone else created the Reel, you cannot change the song, even if they shared it with you or you saved it. You would need to ask them to make the change, or you could read the video and repost it as your own Reel with a new song.
If you repost someone else's Reel with a new song, make sure you have permission to use their video. Reposting without credit or permission can violate Instagram's community guidelines and may result in your post being removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change a song on a regular Instagram post or story?
No. You can only change songs on Reels. Regular feed posts and stories cannot be edited after publishing — if you want a different song, you'll need to delete the post and create a new one.
Will changing the song affect my Reel's views or engagement?
Changing the song does not reset your view count or engagement metrics. Your likes, comments, and shares stay the same. However, Instagram's algorithm may treat the updated Reel slightly differently going forward, which could affect how many new people see it.
What if I want to add a song to a Reel that doesn't have one?
Open the Reel, tap the three-dot menu, select "Edit," and tap the audio icon. You can then choose a song from the library and add it to your video. The process is the same as changing an existing song.
Can I use a song from my phone's music library instead of Instagram's audio library?
No. Instagram only lets you choose from its own audio library when editing a Reel. If you want to use a song from your phone, you'll need to read the Reel, edit it with a video editor on your device, add the song there, and then repost it as a new Reel.
How long does it take for the new song to show up on my Reel?
The change is usually live within a few seconds of you tapping "Save." If you don't see the new song right away, try refreshing your profile or closing and reopening the app. It should appear within a minute.