How to Change Music on a TikTok Post

Posted a TikTok only to realize you used the wrong song? It’s a frustrating moment we’ve all been through. While you can’t swap the audio on a video that's already live, there are straightforward ways to fix it without losing your great content. This guide will walk you through exactly why this happens and give you the best step-by-step method to update your video with the perfect sound.

The Hard Truth: Why You Can’t Directly Edit Music on a Live TikTok

Once your TikTok is posted, the video and the audio are fused into a single file on TikTok's servers. Think of it like baking a cake, you can't just take the sugar out once it's already come out of the oven. There’s no simple "edit audio" button because changing the sound would require re-processing the entire video from scratch.

But there’s a bigger reason: music licensing. TikTok has complex agreements with music labels that allow creators to use songs. These licenses are tied to the specific use of the song in that specific video at the time of posting. Allowing users to swap sounds on a live video would create a legal and logistical nightmare of tracking licenses. So, to keep things simple and legally sound, TikTok requires a fresh upload for any changes to your video’s core components, including its music.

Don't be discouraged, though. The fix is quick, effective, and gives you a chance to relaunch your video for a new wave of engagement.

The Best Fix: How to Re-Upload Your TikTok with New Music

The most effective and professional way to change the music on your post is to save your original video, add the new sound, and re-upload it. This process gives you full control and ensures your final video looks clean and intentional. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.

Step 1: Save Your Original Video to Your Device

First, you need a copy of the video you already posted. The good news is TikTok makes this incredibly easy.

• Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
• Tap on the video you want to change.
• Tap the three dots (…) on the right-hand side of the screen.
• In the menu that appears, select “Save video.”

This will download the video directly to your phone’s camera roll. A quick heads-up: the downloaded video will include the original music you want to replace, along with a TikTok watermark. We’ll handle that next.

Step 2: Start a New Upload with Your Saved Video

Now that you have the video file, it's time to start fresh. You don't need fancy editing software for this, you can do everything right inside the TikTok app.

• Open TikTok and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom to create a new post.
• On the creation screen, tap the “Upload” button in the bottom-right corner.
• Select the video you just saved from your camera roll and tap “Next.”

Step 3: Remove the Old Sound and Add the New One

This is where you’ll make the magic happen. Your video will be in the TikTok editor, ready for its new soundtrack.

1. First, tap “Add sound” at the top of the editing screen. This opens TikTok’s vast music library.
2. Search for the song you want to use. You can look for specific tracks, browse trending sounds, or check out recommended playlists. Tap on a sound to preview it.
3. Once you’ve found the one you want, tap the red checkmark to add it to your video.

Now, your video has two audio tracks: the original one from your saved video and the new one you just added. Let’s fix that.

1. On the right-side editing panel, find and tap the “Volume” icon (it looks like a speaker or sliders).
2. You’ll see two volume sliders: “Original sound” and “Added sound.” Drag the “Original sound” slider all the way down to zero.
3. Make sure the “Added sound” slider is at 100% (or whatever level you prefer).

Now, your video will only play the new music you selected.

Pro Tip: While you have the music editor open, use the “Trim” feature (the scissors icon) to select the perfect clip of the song. You don’t have to start from the beginning, you can choose the chorus, the beat drop, or whatever part best fits the vibe of your video.

Step 4: Freshen Up Your Caption and Hashtags

Don't just copy and paste your old caption - this is a chance to do it better! The audio you choose often changes the context of your video, so your caption should reflect that. More importantly, using a trending sound can be a huge driver of discoverability, so you should adjust your hashtags to match.

• Check the Sound Page: See what hashtags other creators are using with this new sound. It's often a good idea to include the hashtag related to the audio trend.
• Rethink Your Strategy: Did the last post underperform? Maybe it was the hashtags. Take this opportunity to research a better mix of niche, broad, and trending hashtags related to your content.

Step 5: Post Your New Video and Delete the Old One

Once you’re happy with the new sound, caption, and hashtags, go ahead and post your updated TikTok. Wait until the new video is successfully published and live on your profile. Double-check that everything looks and sounds right.

Once you've confirmed the new post is perfect, it's time to remove the old one to avoid confusing your followers.

• Navigate back to the original video on your profile.
• Tap the three dots (…).
• Slide the bottom row of options to the left until you see the “Delete” option (trash can icon) and tap it. Confirm the deletion.

And that’s it! You've successfully changed the music on your TikTok post.

Pro Tips: Getting Your TikTok Audio Right From the Start

While re-uploading is a great fix, the best strategy is always prevention. Integrating a few simple habits into your creation process can save you a lot of time and effort down the road. Here’s how to nail your sound choice on the first try.

1. Build a "Favorites" Library

When you're scrolling through your For You Page, don't let great sounds pass you by. If you hear a track you love or an audio trend you want to try, add it to your Favorites immediately. Just tap the spinning record in the bottom-right corner of the video, then tap “Add to Favorites.” That sound will be waiting for you in its own tab the next time you open the sound library, saving you from having to search for it later.

2. Understand the Commercial Sounds Library

If you have a TikTok Business Account, you’ve likely noticed your music options are different. Business Accounts are restricted to the Commercial Music Library - a collection of over a million royalty-free tracks that are fully licensed for promotional use. While it doesn't include every trending pop song, it protects your brand from copyright infringement. Spend some time browsing this library to find unique sounds that align with your brand's style before you even start filming.

3. Save to Drafts Before Posting

Your drafts folder is your best friend. Instead of filming, editing, captioning, and posting all in one go, complete your video edits and tap “Drafts” instead of “Post.” This saves your masterpiece privately. You can come back to it later with fresh eyes, experiment with different trending sounds, and perfect your caption without the pressure of posting immediately. Test a few different audio options on your draft to see which one has the best impact.

Final Thoughts

While you can't magically swap songs on a TikTok that's already published, the process of re-uploading gives you complete control to get it right. By saving your video, adding new music inside the TikTok editor, and relaunching it with an optimized caption, you can easily fix your audio mistake and even improve your post's performance the second time around.

Getting your content details just right before posting saves a ton of those "oops" moments. That's a big part of why at Postbase, we built our tool around a beautiful visual calendar. It allows you to plan out all your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts in one place, so you can see your whole strategy at a glance. By scheduling content in advance, you give yourself the time to catch small errors, like picking the wrong sound, before they go live and ensure your brand looks and sounds exactly how you want it, every single time.