How to Add Music to Snapchat (Step-by-Step Guide)

Adding music to Snapchat is like adding hot sauce to tacos: not required, but once you try it, everything
feels a little bland without it. Whether you want a trending track behind your selfie, a custom sound
for an inside joke, or a link to your favorite Spotify song, Snapchat gives you several ways to layer
audio onto your Snaps and Stories.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to add music to Snapchat using the built-in Sounds feature,
custom recordings, Spotify and other music apps, and simple video-editing tricks. We’ll walk through
step-by-step instructions, give troubleshooting tips, and finish with some real-life “experience” advice
so your Snaps sound as good as they look.

How Snapchat Music Works in 2025

Snapchat’s music tools are powered mainly by its Sounds feature. When you tap the little
music note icon on the camera screen, you get access to:

Featured – licensed, popular tracks and sound clips curated by Snapchat.
My Favorites – songs and sounds you’ve previously saved.
My Sounds – custom audio you’ve recorded or uploaded yourself.

When you add a track, Snapchat places a small sticker (showing the song title and artist) on the Snap.
You can usually drag this sticker around, resize it, or toss it into the trash if you change your mind.
For videos, you can typically use up to around 60 seconds of a song; for photos, the audio plays during
the time your Snap is visible.

It’s worth remembering that Snapchat can update the interface at any time. The icons might slide around,
menus may get renamed, but the core idea stays the same: choose or create a sound, then attach it to your
Snap or Story.

Method 1: Add Music from Snapchat’s Built-In Sounds

The quickest way to add music to Snapchat is to use the app’s own music library. This is the option most
people use when they say they “add music to a Snapchat Story.”

Step-by-Step: Add a Song to Your Snap

Open Snapchat and make sure you’re on the main camera screen.
Capture your Snap:
- Tap the capture button for a photo, or
- Press and hold for a video, or
- Swipe up to choose an existing photo or video from your Camera Roll.
Look on the right side of the screen for the music note icon (the Sounds icon) and tap it.
Browse the Featured tab for popular songs, use the search bar to find a specific track,
or check My Favorites if you’ve saved sounds before.
Tap the small play icon next to a song to preview it. When you find the one you like,
tap the track to add it to your Snap.
A slider appears so you can trim the part of the song you want. Drag it until the best
part (the drop, the chorus, or the funny line) lines up with your Snap.
Tap the checkmark or Done button to confirm. A sticker with the song
title and artist will show up on your Snap.
Drag the sticker to wherever you want on the screen. You can resize it with two fingers or drag it to
the trash at the bottom to remove it.
Once you’re happy, post it to your Story, send it to friends, or save it.

Pro Tips for Using Built-In Songs

Sync to motion: If you’re dancing, lip-syncing, or doing a transition, line up the beat
drop with the moment something changes in the frame.
Keep it recognizable: When in doubt, use a part of the song that’s instantly familiar,
like the hook or chorus.
Mind the length: Stories play quickly. Choose a clip that delivers the mood in a few
seconds instead of waiting for a slow build.

Method 2: Create and Use Your Own Sounds

Sometimes the perfect sound isn’t a chart-topping trackit’s your dog’s bark, your best friend’s laugh, or
you dramatically reading a text message. That’s where My Sounds and Create Sound
come in.

How to Record a Custom Sound in Snapchat

Open Snapchat and go to the main camera screen.
Tap the music note (Sounds) icon on the right.
Across the top, swipe to the My Sounds tab.
Tap Create Sound.
Press and hold the record button to capture your audio. This might be your voice,
an instrument, or a funny background sound. Snapchat usually limits this to a short clip.
Name your sound. Pick something clear like “Dog Bark Remix” or “Road Trip Intro” so you can find it again.
Decide if you want to make it public so other users can also use your sound.
Trim the recording if Snapchat shows you a timeline editor.
Tap Save Sound.

After saving, this sound appears in your My Sounds list. You can use it just like any other
track when creating a Snap or Story.

Reusing Sounds from Snaps and Spotlight

Seen a sound on someone else’s Snap that you absolutely need in your life? You can usually reuse it:

When you’re viewing a Snap with music, tap the sound label (the bar at the bottom or the
sticker with the song name).
On the sound page, tap Use Sound.
Snapchat will open the camera with that sound loaded and ready to go.

You’ll see this flow a lot with Spotlight Snaps tooSnapchat’s TikTok-style vertical
feed. If a sound is trending there, you can hop on it and boost your odds of getting more views.

Method 3: Add Voiceovers and Layered Audio

Sometimes you need both music and narration. Maybe you’re doing a mini vlog, explaining a recipe, or
roasting your own outfit choices. Snapchat lets you add a voiceover on top of your Snap.

How to Add a Voiceover to a Video Snap

Record a video Snap, then go to the preview screen.
Tap the Timeline Editor or similar icon (usually in the lower-left corner, depending on
the current layout).
Tap Sounds, then choose Voiceover.
Press the record button and speak while the video plays. You can start and stop as needed to cover
different parts of the clip.
Save your voiceover.
Use the audio controls (if available) to adjust levelsfor example, lowering the music volume so your
voice is clear.

Voiceover is especially handy if your original audio is bad (hello, wind noise) or if you need to add
extra context after you’ve already shot the video.

Method 4: Use Spotify, Apple Music, and Other Apps

One of the most common questions is, “Can I add a specific song from Spotify or Apple Music to my Snapchat
Story?” The answer is: sort of, but not always in the way people imagine.

Sharing a Song from Spotify to Snapchat

Spotify has a direct integration with Snapchat that lets you share music visually:

Open Spotify and start playing the song, playlist, or podcast you want to share.
Tap the three dots (⋯) next to the track or in the now-playing screen.
Choose Share.
Select Snapchat from the share options.
Snapchat opens with a custom Lens or card showing the song artwork and details. Customize the snap with
text, stickers, or Bitmoji.
Post it to your Story or send it directly to friends.

This method doesn’t always add the full track as background audio the way Snapchat’s Sounds library does.
Instead, it creates a visual card that links people back to Spotify to play the full song. It’s still great
for promoting music or just showing what you’re currently listening to.

Adding Spotify or Other Music as Background Audio

If you want an external song as true background audio and it’s not in Snapchat’s library, you have a few
workarounds:

Playback trick (may vary by device): Start playing a song on Spotify, Apple Music, or
another app, then quickly open Snapchat and record a video. On some phones, the system allows external
audio to be captured in the background; on others, media playback stops once the camera opens.
Turn it into a custom sound: Record the audio (with permission and respecting copyright)
using your phone’s microphone into Snapchat’s Create Sound feature, then reuse it from
My Sounds.
Add via link: Many guides recommend copying the song link from Spotify or Apple Music,
then using the paperclip (link) icon in Snapchat to attach it to a Snap. Viewers can tap
the link to open the song in the music app.

These methods are more about recommending songs than perfectly syncing high-quality audio in your
Snap. For precise edits and full-length tracks, a video editor is usually better (see the next section).

Method 5: Use a Video Editor for Custom Music

If you want total controlperfect beat drops, multiple clips, captions timed to lyricsthe easiest way is
to edit your video outside Snapchat and then upload it.

Basic Workflow with an Online or Mobile Editor

Use your phone camera (or Snapchat if you prefer its filters) to record video clips, then save them to
your Camera Roll.
Open a video editor app or website (for example, tools that let you add music, trim clips, and adjust
volume).
Import your clips and the song you want to use.
Cut the video to match the beattransitions on drum hits, zooms on bass drops, etc.
Adjust music volume so speech is still audible if you’re talking.
Export the final video to your Camera Roll.
Open Snapchat, swipe up to access your Gallery/Camera Roll, and choose the edited video to post to your
Story or share with friends.

This method is fantastic for branded content, mini-vlogs, or anything where you need more
than “quick selfie + random song.” It does take longer, but your Snap will feel more polished and
intentional.

Troubleshooting: When Music Won’t Work on Snapchat

If you’re screaming “Why can’t I add music to my Snapchat Story?!” at 1 a.m., you’re not alone. Here are
some common issues and fixes:

Music icon missing: Update Snapchat to the latest version. The Sounds icon sometimes
relocates or briefly disappears during interface tests.
Song won’t play: Check your phone’s volume and see if your device is on silent or
vibrate mode. Also, make sure the media volume (not just ringtone) is turned up.
Can’t share from Spotify/Apple Music: Both apps must be updated, and occasionally
integrations break temporarily due to bugs or updates. Try again after updating or later in the day.
Region restrictions: Certain songs or features may not be available in your country
because of licensing deals. Try searching for a different version of the song (e.g., a clean version, a
remix) or use a custom sound.
Audio out of sync: Trim the song clip again in Snapchat, or if it’s still off, consider
editing the video and audio in a third-party editor first.

Music, Copyright, and Good Etiquette

Snapchat’s own music library is designed to handle licensing details so you don’t have to. Once you start
pulling songs from outside sources, though, think about:

Copyright rules: Using full songs you don’t own for commercial or promotional content
may violate terms of service or copyright law. For personal Snaps with friends, the risk is lower, but
it’s still smart to be cautious.
Volume and context: Blasting music at max volume can be annoying for your viewers,
especially if they’re in public or at work. Mix your audio so it’s clear but not painful.
Artist credit: If you’re using a smaller artist’s track (especially with a custom sound
or external editor), tag them in text, stickers, or the caption. It’s good manners and good networking.

Summary: Choose the Best Way to Add Music to Snapchat

You now have several options for adding music to Snapchat, from the simplest built-in tools to more
advanced editing workflows:

Use Snapchat Sounds to quickly attach licensed tracks and trending audio to your Snaps.
Create custom sounds to capture inside jokes, unique noises, or your own voice.
Layer voiceovers on top of music to explain, narrate, or commentate.
Share songs from Spotify, Apple Music, and other apps with Snap cards and links.
Build fully edited videos with music in an external editor, then post them on Snapchat.

Whether you’re aiming for a goofy Story, a clean brand promo, or a cinematic mini-vlog, the combo of
visuals plus music is what makes your Snaps feel alive. Don’t be afraid to experimentyou can always hit
delete and try again if the vibe isn’t quite right.

SEO Wrap-Up: Meta Info & Keywords

more, with clear step-by-step instructions.

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Want your Snapchat Stories to sound as good as they look? This in-depth guide shows you exactly how to add
music to Snapchat using the app’s own Sounds library, custom recordings, voiceovers, Spotify and Apple
Music sharing, and third-party video editors. You’ll learn step-by-step how to attach songs, trim the best
parts, reuse trending sounds from Spotlight, and fix common audio problems when music won’t play or sync
correctly. Whether you’re making quick selfies, aesthetic vlogs, or branded content, these practical tips
and real-world examples will help you turn basic Snaps into scroll-stopping, sound-on stories.

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Real-World Experiences: Making Your Music Snaps Better

Once you understand the buttons, the real magic of adding music to Snapchat comes from practice and
experimentation. Here are some experience-based tips and scenarios that show how people actually use these
tools day to day.

1. Matching your mood to the moment. A lot of users discover that the song choice matters
more than the filter. A low-key coffee shop clip with a mellow indie track feels cozy and intimate, while
the exact same video with an EDM drop suddenly feels like a pre-party highlight reel. Before you choose a
sound, ask: “What emotion do I want someone to feel in the first two seconds?” Then scroll through Sounds
until something hits that emotion instantly.

2. Using trending sounds strategically. When a sound is trending on Spotlight, people will
often watch multiple Snaps in a row just because they recognize the audio. Creators use this by grabbing a
trending sound, then putting their own twist on the joke or format. If you’re trying to grow your audience,
spend a few minutes each day watching Spotlight, note the songs that keep popping up, and save them to
My Favorites so they’re easy to use later.

3. Capturing real-life audio instead of “perfect” music. Not every Snap needs a polished
song. Some of the most memorable Stories use raw audio: the roar of a stadium, a baby laughing, the chaos
of a group chat in real life. Users who rely on My Sounds often treat Snapchat like a pocket
field recorder, capturing little moments and reusing them later. Over time, your custom sound library
becomes a personal soundtrack to your life.

4. Keeping voiceovers clear and confident. When people start adding voiceovers, they often
speak too softly because they feel awkward. The result: viewers crank the volume, get blasted by the next
Story, and swear revenge on your username. The fix is simplerecord the voiceover a little louder than
feels normal, then pull the background music volume down. Think of it like a mini podcast: your voice is
the main character; the music is just there for support.

5. Planning transitions with the beat. If you like more polished content, try this:
choose the song first, listen to it a few times, and plan where you’ll cut each clip. Maybe you
switch outfits on the snare, jump locations on the chorus, or reveal the final result on the drop. Even a
simple three-clip Story feels more “edited” when the visual changes match what’s happening in the music.

6. Respecting your audience’s ears. One detail experienced creators learn quickly:
people watch Stories in all kinds of placeson buses, in bed with the lights off, during meetings (oops).
That’s why smart creators avoid painfully loud intros. They fade music in gently, keep sudden sound
effects under control, and stay away from high-pitched noises that can feel harsh on headphones. Your
followers will never say “Thank you for not bursting my eardrums,” but they’ll keep watching longer.

7. Balancing originality with convenience. It’s easier to grab a built-in track than
record your own sound or edit a video in another app, but it can also make your content blend in with
everyone else’s. Many users find a sweet spot: they use Snapchat’s music library for quick, throwaway
moments and save the extra effort (custom sounds, editing, precise timing) for the Snaps that actually
matterbig announcements, creative projects, or brand content.

8. Knowing when music isn’t necessary at all. Ironically, one of the best “music tips”
is knowing when to skip it. A quiet moment, a simple view out the window, or a heartfelt message sometimes
lands better with no soundtrack at all. Just because you can add music to every Snap doesn’t mean
you should. The more intentional you are, the more impact each musical Story will have.

The more you play with Snapchat’s audio tools, the more natural they feel. Start simplepick a song from
the Sounds library, trim it to your favorite part, and line it up with a short clip. Then gradually layer
in custom sounds, voiceovers, and external edits. Before long, you won’t just be “adding music to
Snapchat”you’ll be directing tiny, shareable music videos from your phone.