You can add music to Facebook posts using the built-in music sticker, or by uploading a video with audio already attached
Facebook gives you two main ways to add music to a post. The easiest is the music sticker, which lets you pick a song from Facebook's library and display it as a visual element in your post — the song plays when someone clicks it. The second way is to upload a video where the music is already part of the file. Which one you use depends on what you're trying to do: use the sticker if you want to share a song you're listening to, use a video if the music is background audio for footage you've recorded.
Both methods work on the Facebook app and the website, though the steps are slightly different. The music sticker is faster and doesn't require you to have a video file ready. A video with audio gives you more control over how the music sounds and what it plays over.
Key Takeaways
- The music sticker is the quickest way to add a song to a post — tap the sticker icon, search for the song, and it appears as a clickable element in your post.
- Your phone's location and Facebook's music licensing agreements determine which songs are available in your region.
- Videos you upload can include music as background audio, and Facebook will detect the song automatically if it's in their database.
- If you upload a video with copyrighted music, Facebook may mute the audio, claim ownership of the video, or restrict who can watch it depending on the copyright holder's settings.
Adding a music sticker on the Facebook app
Open Facebook and start a new post by tapping "What's on your mind?" at the top of your feed. Type any text you want to go with the post. Below the text box, you'll see a row of icons — tap the one that looks like a smiley face with a plus sign (the sticker icon). A menu will open showing different sticker categories.
Scroll down or search for "music" in the sticker menu. When you find the music sticker, tap it. A search box will appear where you can type the song name, artist, or album. Type what you're looking for and tap the song when it appears in the results. The sticker will be added to your post showing the song title and artist. You can now tap "Post" to share it.
If the song you want doesn't appear in the search results, it may not be available in your region or Facebook may not have the rights to it. Try searching for a different song or a different version of the same song — sometimes covers or remixes are available when the original isn't.
Adding a music sticker on Facebook's website
Go to Facebook.com and click "Create post" or click in the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your feed. Type your text. Below the text box, look for a row of icons and click the smiley face with a plus sign (the sticker icon). A panel will open on the right side showing sticker options.
Search for "music" or scroll through the sticker categories until you find the music sticker. Click it, then search for the song you want by typing the title or artist name. Click the song when it appears. The sticker will be added to your post. Click "Post" to share it.
Uploading a video with music already in it
If you have a video file on your phone or computer that already has music in it, you can upload that video directly to Facebook. Open Facebook and start a new post. Below the text box, tap or click the icon that looks like a camera or image (the photo/video icon). Select "Video" and choose the video file from your phone or computer.
Facebook will upload the video and may take a few minutes to process it. While it's processing, you can add text to your post. Once the video is uploaded, Facebook will scan it for music. If the song is in Facebook's database, it will show the song title and artist below the video automatically. You can then tap or click "Post" to share it.
If Facebook detects copyrighted music in your video, one of three things may happen: the audio may be muted entirely, Facebook may claim ownership of the video and run ads on it, or the video may be restricted so only you and your friends can watch it. This depends on what the copyright holder has told Facebook to do. You won't know which until after you post, so test with a small audience first if the music matters to your post.
What to do if the music sticker doesn't show the song you want
Facebook's music library varies by country and region because of licensing agreements. A song available in one country may not be available in another. If you search for a song and it doesn't appear, try these steps: search for the artist name alone to see if other songs by them are available, search for a live version or acoustic version of the song, or search for a cover by a different artist.
If none of those work, the song may simply not be licensed for your region. In that case, your only option is to upload a video with the music already in the audio track. Keep in mind that if you do, Facebook may mute it or restrict who can see the video depending on the copyright holder's rules.
Removing or changing music from a post you've already shared
If you posted a music sticker and want to remove it or change it, tap or click the three dots in the top right corner of your post and select "Edit post." The post will open in edit mode. Tap or click the music sticker to open the sticker menu, then either search for a different song or delete the sticker entirely. Tap or click "Save" when you're done.
If you uploaded a video and Facebook muted the audio or claimed ownership, you cannot unmute it or remove the claim from the post itself. Your only option is to delete the post and re-upload the video. Before you do, consider whether the music is worth the risk — if it's copyrighted and you don't own it, the same thing will likely happen again.
Why Facebook sometimes mutes or restricts videos with music
When you upload a video with music in it, Facebook checks the audio against a database of copyrighted songs. If it finds a match, it follows the instructions the copyright holder gave Facebook about what to do. Some copyright holders allow the video to play with full audio and just add a label showing who owns the music. Others tell Facebook to mute the audio completely. Still others allow the video but restrict it so only certain people can watch it, or they allow Facebook to run ads on the video and keep the money.
This happens automatically — you don't have a choice in the matter, and you won't know what will happen until after you post. If you're uploading a video where the music is important, consider using royalty-free music or music you have permission to use instead. Websites like YouTube Audio Library, Epidemic Sound, and Artlist offer music that's safe to use on social media without copyright strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add music to a Facebook post if I'm not in the United States?
Yes, but the songs available in the music sticker depend on your location. Facebook has licensing agreements that vary by country, so a song available in the US may not be available where you are. If you can't find a song using the sticker, try uploading a video with the music already in the audio track instead.
What happens if I post a video with copyrighted music and Facebook mutes it?
Your video will still be visible, but no one will hear the audio. The video will play silently. If you want the audio back, you'll need to delete the post and re-upload the video with different music, or use royalty-free music instead. Facebook won't unmute a video after it's been posted.
Can I add music to a Facebook Reel or Story the same way?
No. Reels and Stories have their own music libraries built into the creation tools. When you create a Reel or Story, you'll see a music icon in the editing screen that opens Facebook's music library specifically for that format. The process is similar to the music sticker, but it's a separate tool.
Is it safe to use any song I find online in a Facebook video?
No. If a song is copyrighted and you don't own it or have permission to use it, Facebook will likely detect it and either mute the audio or restrict the video. Use only music you created, music you have written permission to use, or royalty-free music licensed for social media.
Why does the music sticker sometimes show different songs when I search the same thing twice?
Facebook's music library updates regularly, and search results can change based on popularity and licensing changes. If a song disappears from results, it may have been removed from Facebook's library in your region, or the licensing agreement may have ended. Try searching again in a few days or search for a similar song instead.