How to Add a Song to an Instagram Post with Multiple Photos

Adding the perfect song to a single Instagram photo is simple, but trying to do the same for a post with multiple photos - a carousel - can leave you wondering where the music option went. If you’ve found yourself stuck trying to create a multi-photo post with your favorite trending audio, you're not alone. This guide breaks down exactly how to add music to a post with multiple photos by using Instagram's best features to your advantage.

First, The Big Question: Can You Add Music Directly to a Carousel Post?

Let's get this out of the way first: Instagram does not currently allow you to add a music track from its library directly to a standard, multi-photo carousel post. When you select multiple photos to create a carousel, you’ll notice the music icon that's available for single image posts simply disappears. This limitation is a common point of confusion for creators and marketers.

But don't worry, there's a powerful and highly effective workaround that gives you the exact result you’re looking for: turning your photo collection into an Instagram Reel. This is Instagram’s preferred method, and it often comes with the added benefit of boosting your reach.

The Best Method: Create a Multi-Photo Reel

Instagram Reels are no longer just for choreographed dances or funny skits. They are a versatile format perfect for creating a captivating slideshow that tells a more complete story. By setting your pictures to music in a Reel, you create a captivating slideshow that tells a more complete story. This method is done entirely inside the Instagram app, no third-party tools needed.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Multi-Photo Reel

Follow these steps, and you'll have a musical photo slideshow ready in minutes.

1. Start a New Reel

Open the Instagram app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom of your screen to create a new post. From the options that appear (Post, Story, Reel, Live), select Reel.

2. Select Your Photos

Instead of recording a video, swipe up or tap the gallery icon in the bottom-left corner to access your phone's camera roll. You can now select the photos you want in your post. To choose more than one, tap the "Select Multiple" icon (it looks like two overlapping squares) in the top-right of your gallery view. Tap on your photos in the order you want them to appear and then tap Next.

3. Add Your Music

This is where the magic happens. On the editing screen, you’ll see a toolbar with several icons. Tap the musical note icon to open Instagram’s Music library. Here, you can:

• Search for a specific song, artist, or album.
• Browse songs in the "For You" section, which is personalized to your interests.
• See what’s popular in the "Trending" section.
• Use audio you've previously saved by tapping "Saved."

Once you’ve selected a track, you can choose which part of the song you want to play. A slider will appear, allowing you to scrub through the track and select the perfect 15, 30, 60, or 90-second clip for your photos. Tap Done.

4. Edit Clip Timing

By default, Instagram might make each photo appear for just a couple of seconds. You’ll want more control. After adding music, tap the "Edit clips" button in the bottom-left corner.

This will bring you to a timeline view where you can see each of your photos as a separate clip. Here, you can:

• Tap and hold on a photo clip to drag and reorder it.
• Tap on an individual photo clip. Use the handles on either side to shorten or lengthen how long it appears on screen. Adjust each photo's timing to match the beat or mood of the song.

5. Add Final Touches and Post

Once you're happy with the timing and music, tap Next. On this final screen, you can:

• Write a killer caption: Tell the story behind the photos.
• Craft your hashtags: Mix broad and niche hashtags for better discovery.
• Edit your cover: Choose a frame from your video or upload a custom image to be the thumbnail on your grid. This is important for maintaining your profile's aesthetic.
• Tag people and add a location: Standard Instagram practice to increase engagement.

When you're ready, tap Share. Your multi-photo post with music will now be live as a Reel on your profile!

Why Turning Photos into Reels is a Smart Strategy

Opting for a Reel instead of a standard carousel post isn't just a workaround, it's a strategic move for better performance on Instagram.

1. Increased Reach

Instagram's algorithm is currently prioritizing video content, especially Reels. A multi-photo Reel has a much higher chance of being shown to people who don't follow you via the Reels tab and the Explore page. A standard carousel post is mostly limited to your current followers' feeds. Learning how to go viral on Instagram Reels can significantly amplify your content's reach.

2. More Engaging Storytelling

Music sets a mood and adds an emotional layer that silent photos can’t quite capture. Imagine a travel diary series of photos set to an adventurous, upbeat song versus just swiping through silent images. Or a "behind-the-scenes" look at your business set to a funky, inspiring track. Music transforms a collection of photos into a narrative.

Example: a personal trainer could show a 5-photo progression of a client's journey, set to a motivational song. An artist could showcase the step-by-step process of their latest piece, synced to a creative, ambient track.

3. Opportunities with Trending Audio

Using trending songs is one of the most effective ways to get more eyes on your content. The algorithm often bundles content using the same popular audio, increasing the possibility of your Reel going viral. When you see a song in other Reels with a small arrow icon next to its name, it means that audio is trending. For more tips, read our guide on how to use trending audio on Instagram.

The Alternative: Using Third-Party Video Editing Apps

If you want more advanced editing features like custom transitions, text overlays, and special effects, you can prepare your video outside of Instagram. Apps like CapCut, InShot, or VN Video Editor are popular options.

The general workflow is simple:

1. Import your photos into the app.
2. Arrange them on the video timeline in the desired order.
3. Adjust the duration for each photo.
4. Add transition effects between photos for a smoother flow.
5. Add your music. Most apps have libraries of royalty-free music.
6. Export the final video to your phone's camera roll.
7. Open Instagram and upload the video as a Reel. You can choose to use the audio from your video or mute it and add a song from Instagram's library instead (which is recommended for leveraging trending audio).

Note on Copyright: If you add copyrighted music in an external app and upload it to Instagram, your video may be flagged, muted, or taken down. It's always safer to use royalty-free music from the app itself or add the official audio within the Instagram app during the upload process.

Quick Tips for Choosing the Perfect Song

Don't just pick any song. The right audio can make your content exponentially better.

• Match the Mood: Does your photo series feel happy, nostalgic, funny, or calm? Find a song that channels that same energy.
• Time It to the Beat: Use the "Edit clips" feature to sync photo changes with key moments or beats in the song for a more professional-looking result.
• Check the Lyrics: Make sure the song's message aligns with what you're posting and what your brand stands for. A catchy song with inappropriate lyrics could send the wrong message.
• Pick the Right Snippet: You're only using a small portion of the song. Scrub through and find the most impactful part, whether it's the chorus, a compelling intro, or an instrumental break.

While you can’t press a button to add music directly to a classic multi-photo carousel post, the solution is simple, effective, and algorithm-friendly. By creating a multi-photo Reel, you combine the storytelling power of a slideshow with the emotional impact of music, all while creating content that Instagram is primed to promote.

Once you’ve mastered creating engaging content like Reels, the next step is planning and managing your content schedule efficiently. We built Postbase for exactly this reason. Because modern social media is dominated by formats like Reels and short-form video, we designed a simple, visual calendar to help you plan your content across all platforms. With our reliable scheduler, you can get all your amazing video content ready to go and trust that it will post exactly when you want it to, giving you more time to focus on creating.

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