The fastest way to add music in iMovie
Open your iMovie project, click the music note icon in the toolbar (it looks like a single eighth note), and drag a song from your library onto the timeline below your video. iMovie will layer the music under your footage automatically. If you want to replace a song, drag a new one onto the old one and iMovie will swap them out.
The music note icon appears in the same toolbar where you find the camera, photos, and effects buttons. On Mac, it's in the top right of the editing window. On iPad, it's in the toolbar above the timeline. You don't need to download anything extra — iMovie comes with a built-in music library, and you can also use songs from your device's Music app or files you've stored locally.
If you can't see the music icon, make sure you're in the editing view (not the project browser) and that your timeline is visible at the bottom of the screen.
Key Takeaways
- Click the music note icon in iMovie's toolbar, then drag a song onto your timeline to add it under your video.
- iMovie's built-in music library includes royalty-free tracks you can use without worrying about copyright claims on platforms like YouTube.
- You can adjust when the music starts and stops by dragging the edges of the music clip on the timeline, and control its volume with the volume slider.
- Songs from your device's Music app or local files can be added the same way as iMovie's library tracks.
- If your video and music don't line up the way you want, you can trim either one independently without affecting the other.
Where iMovie gets its music from
iMovie includes a royalty-free music library built into the app. These are original compositions created specifically for video editing, and you can use them in your projects without paying fees or worrying about copyright strikes if you upload to YouTube or other platforms. The library includes instrumental tracks in different genres and moods — upbeat, dramatic, ambient, and so on.
You can also add songs from your device's Music app (on Mac or iPad), or music files stored in your iCloud Drive, Downloads folder, or other locations on your computer. If you use a song you own or have permission to use, you're responsible for making sure you have the right to include it in your video. If you upload to YouTube, for example, the platform will scan for copyrighted music and may mute it, claim ownership, or block the video depending on the copyright holder's settings.
To browse iMovie's built-in library, click the music note icon and look for the "Music" section. You'll see categories like "Cinematic," "Upbeat," and "Ambient." Click any track to preview it before adding it to your timeline.
Adjusting when music starts and stops
Once a song is on your timeline, you control exactly when it plays. Drag the left edge of the music clip to move where it starts, and drag the right edge to move where it ends. This lets you have music play only during certain parts of your video — for example, music during the opening credits but silence during dialogue.
If you want the music to start at a specific moment in your video, line up the left edge of the music clip with that moment on the timeline. The timeline shows you exactly where your video clips are, so you can sync the music to match cuts or transitions. If you need to move the entire music clip without changing its length, click and drag the middle of the clip.
You can also trim the song itself — cut out the beginning or end — by clicking the music clip and using the trim handles. This is useful if a song has a long intro you don't want, or if it's longer than the section of video you need to cover.
Controlling volume and fading music in and out
Click the music clip on your timeline, then look for the volume slider (usually shown as a speaker icon or a horizontal line). Drag it left to make the music quieter, or right to make it louder. You can also lower the volume to let dialogue or other sounds from your video play through — for example, if you want background music under someone speaking, lower the music volume so the voice is still clear.
To fade music in or out, click the music clip and look for the fade handles — small circles or lines at the corners of the clip. Drag the top-left corner inward to fade the music in at the start, or drag the top-right corner inward to fade it out at the end. This creates a smooth transition instead of the music starting or stopping abruptly.
If you have multiple music tracks on your timeline, you can adjust each one independently. This lets you layer music — for example, one song during an intro and a different song during the main section — and control how loud each one is relative to the other.
Using multiple songs in one project
You can add as many songs as you want to a single project. Click the music note icon again and drag another song onto your timeline below the first one, or next to it if you want the songs to play one after the other. iMovie will stack them on separate audio tracks, so you can control each song's volume, timing, and length independently.
If you want songs to play back-to-back with no gap, line up the right edge of the first song with the left edge of the second song on the timeline. If you want a gap of silence between them, leave space between the two clips. You can also overlap songs slightly to create a crossfade effect — lower the volume of the first song as it ends and raise the volume of the second song as it begins.
Keep in mind that if you're uploading your video to YouTube or another platform, each song you use is scanned separately for copyright. If any song triggers a copyright claim, YouTube will handle it according to that copyright holder's settings, which may mute the song, claim revenue from your video, or block it entirely.
Removing or replacing music
To remove a song, click it on the timeline and press Delete or Backspace. The music will disappear, but your video clips will stay in place. To replace a song with a different one, you can either delete the old song and add a new one, or drag a new song directly onto the old one — iMovie will swap them automatically.
If you want to keep a song but remove it from just part of your video, trim the edges of the music clip instead of deleting it. This way you can have music play during some sections and silence during others.
Syncing music to your video's pacing
The best way to sync music to your video is to watch your timeline as you work. Play your project (press the spacebar or click the play button) and listen to how the music lines up with your cuts, transitions, and action. If the music doesn't match the mood or timing you want, adjust it by moving or trimming the clip.
Some editors like to add music first and then cut their video to match the beat. Others cut the video first and then find music that fits the pacing. There's no single right way — it depends on your project and what you're trying to achieve. Experiment by playing different songs and seeing which one feels right for your footage.
If a song is too long or too short, you can trim it (cut the beginning or end) or loop it (repeat it). To loop a song in iMovie, right-click the music clip and look for a "Loop" or "Repeat" option, depending on your version of iMovie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use copyrighted music from Spotify or Apple Music in my iMovie video?
Technically you can add it to your project, but you shouldn't upload the finished video to YouTube or other platforms without permission from the copyright holder. Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music own the rights to their music, and uploading a video with that music can result in copyright claims, muting, or takedowns. iMovie's built-in library is safe to use because it's royalty-free.
Why is my music playing too quietly compared to the dialogue in my video?
Click the music clip on your timeline and drag the volume slider to the right to make it louder. You can also lower the volume of your video's audio (dialogue or background sound) by clicking the video clip and adjusting its volume slider. Balance them so both are audible but the dialogue is still clear.
How do I make music fade in at the beginning and fade out at the end?
Click the music clip, then look for the fade handles at the top corners of the clip. Drag the top-left corner inward to fade in, and drag the top-right corner inward to fade out. The further you drag, the longer the fade takes.
Can I add music from my computer's hard drive to iMovie?
Yes. Click the music note icon, then look for a "Files" or "Browse" option (this varies by iMovie version). Navigate to the folder where your music file is stored and select it. The file will appear in your music library and you can drag it onto your timeline like any other song.
What happens if I add a song that's shorter than my video?
The music will play once and then stop. If you want the music to continue, you can loop it (repeat it) by right-clicking the music clip and selecting the loop option. You can also add a second song to play after the first one ends.