November 27, 2024

How to Add Music to TikTok Videos: An Ultimate Guide

Want to know how to add music to your TikTok videos? This guide will show you how to add awesome tunes and make your video clips more fun!

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Photo by Nik on Unsplash

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Written by
Filipe Pessoa

Marketing & Sociology. Gamer and music producer.
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The main factor that makes TikTok videos more engaging and likely to gain traction among its 1.5 billion users is the background music used, therefore knowing how to add music to TikTok videos is key. The right soundtrack with high-quality videos can make the visuals more appealing, while the wrong one can become a distraction. This is why it’s important to add music thoughtfully and strategically.

Not only does it add a sense of originality to your content, but if the video gets a lot of views, the audio template might also be adopted by others. Once it’s viral, you can use Framedrop to turn your content into short highlights or even add your voice to the video.

In this blog, we’ll help you figure out how to add music to TikTok videos from the library and straight from your device and make the clip more fun and entertaining. 

In Summary: How to Add Music to TikTok Video?

Check out these summarized steps showing how to add music to a TikTok video. 

  • Open the TikTok app and tap the plus sign to create a video.
  • Record your video or upload one from your gallery.
  • Tap "Add Sound" at the top to open the music library.
  • Choose a sound from the library or search for a specific song.
  • Select the sound, adjust the clip if needed, and confirm to add it to your video.

How to Add Music to a TikTok Video Using the App?

Adding music to TikTok videos is a pretty straightforward process. Here is the steps together to learn how to add music to tiktok video. 

Step 1: Open the TikTok App and Start Your Video

First step is to open the TikTok app on your phone. 

  • Open the TikTok app and look for the big plus sign at the bottom of the screen.
Photo of TikTok "For You" page with plus sign below highlighted.
  • Tap on the plus sign to go to the camera screen.
  • You can either record a new video or upload one from your gallery.
  • To record, press and hold the big circle in the middle to start.
Photo of TikTok video recording page.
  • Once you're done recording, lift your finger to stop.

Step 2: Select 'Sounds' and Browse the TikTok Music Library

Now that your video’s ready, it’s time to add some music. 

  • At the top of the screen, tap the button labeled "Add Sound."
  • This will open TikTok’s music library, where you can browse various songs and sounds.
  • You’ll have three options: recently used sounds, recommended sounds, and your favorites.
TikTok music library
  • You can also search for a specific song or artist by typing the name.
  • Or explore popular playlists and categories like "Trending" or "New Releases."
TikTok sound library and templates
  • Once you find a sound you like, tap on it, and it will automatically be added to your video.

Step 3: Customize the Sound Clip

After choosing your desired sound, you can adjust it to fit your video perfectly. TikTok lets you pick exactly which part of the song you want to use. 

  • Tap the "scissors" icon or the "trim" option to adjust the sound.
TikTok music library with the trim option highlighted.
  • A sound clip will appear as a bar that you can drag left or right to choose the perfect section of the song.
TikTok sound clipping page
  • After you've selected the part you want, confirm it to add that section to your video. 

Now your video is ready to post with the music added, and it’s all set to go live on TikTok!

How to Add Music to a TikTok Video After Posting?

If you're wondering how to add music to a TikTok video after posting, there isn’t much that can be changed once the video is posted. The only option left is to delete the post and re-upload it with your desired settings, following the methods mentioned earlier. This way, you can make sure the music is correctly added before posting again.

How to Add Your Own Music to TikTok Video?

Here are two ways to add your music to your TikTok reel:

1. Add Your Music On TikTok App

If you've created your background music, or you're trying to add a custom mixed version of a track to your TikTok video, follow these steps:

  • Start by shooting the video you want to upload on TikTok, as you normally would.
  • At the top of the screen, tap the "Add Sounds" button.
  • A new window will appear with a search icon at the top. Tap the icon to search for music or sounds.
  • In the new window, you’ll see a navigation bar. Tap the "Your Sounds" option to see your available sound options. 
TikTok sound library with "Your sounds" highlighted.

TikTok "Your sounds" library.
  • Import Sound from a Video: This option lets you extract audio from an existing video, which is useful when you can’t find the sound you want in TikTok’s library.
  • Import Local Sound: Choose this if the music is saved on your phone.You’ll be prompted to choose the music file from your phone to use in your video. After selecting, click “Import.”
  • Once imported, tap on the music file and hit the tick button to confirm.
  • Your custom sound is now ready and added to your TikTok video. You can adjust it as needed before posting!

2. Use a Third-Party App to Upload Custom Music

You can also use third-party solutions available on both Android and iOS to add music to your video. Irrespective of the platform, the process of attaching an audio file with a video is straightforward. Here’s what you need to do: 

  • Import the video you want to publish into the editing software.  
  • Make sure to separate the video and audio components to delete the audio if needed.  
  • Import the desired music file into the software like you did with the video.  
  • Drag the audio alongside or below the existing one, or replace the deleted audio component.  
  • Once you're done, export the video.  
  • After exporting, directly upload it to TikTok.

Make sure to use TikTok subtitle generators to add subtitles to your videos. This helps keep viewers focused so they aren’t distracted by the background music. If your video is a music clip or has music added to it, including the song lyrics as subtitles can be an effective way to engage your audience and keep their attention on both the visuals and the audio.

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TikTok’s Copyright Policy: Things You Should Know

TikTok has a strict copyright policy to protect creators and their original content, so it's important to know what you can and can’t do when uploading music to your TikTok video. 

Here are some things that you should know regarding TikTok’s copyright rules:

1. Copyright Claims

If you upload a video using a hit song you downloaded from another platform without permission, TikTok may flag your video, remove it, and potentially give you a warning.

TikTok automatically checks videos for unauthorized use of music, and repeated violations can result in your account being suspended.

2. TikTok’s Music Library

TikTok provides a library of music that you can freely use in your videos. These tracks are pre-cleared for personal use, meaning you won’t face copyright claims for using them in regular videos. 

However, if you’re creating branded or commercial content, you’ll need to use music from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, which has tracks specifically licensed for ads and monetized content. This is much easier than searching for and downloading the song from another platform, uploading it to TikTok, and risking getting your account banned.

3. Fair Use and Attribution

Simply giving credit to the artist or understanding how to add a link to the TikTok bio doesn’t protect you from copyright claims. TikTok doesn’t allow unlicensed music to be used, even in small amounts. 

For instance, if you feature Beyoncé’s music, adding a note like “Song by Beyoncé” won’t prevent TikTok from removing your video if the track isn’t licensed. You need permission or must use the platform’s licensed tracks​. 

How to Add Music to TikTok Video on Desktop?

Just like on a smartphone, there are many powerful editing programs available for Windows and Mac that can be used to add music to TikTok videos. Most desktop editing software follows a similar process for attaching audio to video. Follow these steps to learn how to add music to TikTok videos on a desktop easily.

Imagine you’re using Capcut for this purpose. 

  • Upload your TikTok reel into Capcut. You can click Import to upload the music/song you would like to add.
A video editing software interface with various media files, an import button highlighted
  • Drag down the uploaded video and music into the adjustment layer.
  • If you had downloaded the whole song, you need to cut that down and select your favorite part, aligning it with the duration of the TikTok reel. 
  • Once you're done, export the video and upload it directly from TikTok. 

Five Best Third-Party Tools for Adding Music on Desktop

Thousands of offline and online solutions are available that one can use to add music. Some of them are locked behind a paid subscription, and some are also open source (free to download and use). They are listed as follows:

1. Filmora (Paid)

A beginner-friendly video editing software with an intuitive interface and advanced features like audio syncing and keyframing, perfect for adding music to TikTok videos.

2. Microsoft Clipchamp (Free)

A free, web-based video editor for Windows offers simple tools for adding music, transitions, and effects to TikTok videos.

3. CapCut Desktop (Free)

CapCut Desktop is a free, TikTok-integrated video editor with easy-to-use features for adding music, transitions, and effects.

4. Adobe Express (Online)

Adobe Express is a free, web-based tool from Adobe that allows quick edits and adding music to short videos for TikTok, suitable for beginners.

5. Adobe Premiere Pro (Paid)

Adobe Premiere Pro is professional video editing software with advanced features, such as multi-track audio editing, perfect for creating high-quality TikTok content.

Turn Your Long-form Content Into TikTok Reels Using Framedrop, Real Quick!

Overall, TikTok is a great platform for publishing your content, especially when you know how to add music to TikTok videos. It has a huge audience, and adding the right music can make your videos more engaging and catch your audience’s attention. 

You can use TikTok to promote your longer content, like podcasts or webinars, by turning them into short clips that fit TikTok’s quick reel style. And this process can become much easier using Framedrop

It is an AI-powered tool that can cut your long videos into shorter, ready-to-share TikTok clips within seconds. Try it to transform your long-form content into TikTok videos, simple and fast!

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FAQ

How to add music to TikTok videos?
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To add music to your TikTok video, open the app and tap the “+” button to create a new video. Then, tap on the “Sounds” option at the top of the screen. You can browse through the music library or search for a specific song. 

Once you find the song you like, tap on it, and it will be added to your video. Before you record or upload your video, you can adjust where the music starts and how loud it is.

How do I add a song to TikTok that isn't there?
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If a song isn’t available on TikTok, you can’t directly add it to your video. However, you can find the song on a different platform, record your video with that song playing in the background, and then upload the video to TikTok. 

Just remember that this might lead to copyright issues if you don’t have permission to use that song.

How to avoid copyrighted music on TikTok?
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To avoid copyright problems on TikTok, always use music from TikTok’s own music library. This way, you know the music is cleared for use. 

If you want to use music not available on TikTok, look for royalty-free music that you can legally use. Such soundtracks are made for creators and won't cause any copyright issues.

Why can't I find songs on TikTok?
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If you can't find certain songs on TikTok, it could be due to a few reasons. Some songs might not be available in your region because of licensing restrictions. 

Additionally, TikTok may have removed certain tracks due to copyright issues or if the rights have changed. If you’re looking for a specific song and can’t find it, it’s best to check TikTok's music library, as it contains all the licensed songs you can use.

How to use licensed music on TikTok?
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To use licensed music on TikTok, you should always choose songs from TikTok’s music library. This library includes tracks that are legal for use, meaning you won't have to worry about copyright problems. 

If you’re making branded content or advertisements, make sure to use music from TikTok’s Commercial Music Library, which provides songs specifically licensed for commercial use.

Published at
November 27, 2024
Category
Filipe Pessoa

Having a bachelor's degree in Sociology and currently getting his Masters' in Marketing, Filipe has always followed a customer-centric ethos. In 2021, Filipe was part of one of the 3 European Innovation Academy winning projects - CultureKit - as its CMO. Since joining Framedrop in August 2022, Filipe has worked on a wide array of tasks such as Copywriting, Lead Generation, Influencer Marketing and even dipped his toes in SEO.

When not working, Filipe channels his creativity into music production in his home studio.

Favorite sport: Football ⚽️

Favorite hobby: Gaming 🎮

Favorite musical artist: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard 🎸

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