How to Share Music on Instagram Chat: The Definitive Guide

Want to spice up your Instagram conversations with the perfect soundtrack? Sharing music directly in your Instagram chats is surprisingly straightforward, and this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step. The short answer is: you can’t directly send an audio file from your device, but you can easily share songs via third-party music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud. Instagram lets you share links to songs and albums from these platforms directly within your DMs, allowing your friends to listen with a single tap. Let’s dive deeper into how to do it!

Sharing Music From Spotify on Instagram Chat

Spotify, being a massive player in the music streaming world, offers seamless integration with Instagram. Here’s how to get your favorite tracks into your friend’s ears:

Step 1: Find the Song on Spotify

Open the Spotify app and navigate to the song, album, or playlist you want to share. Ensure you have the latest version of the Spotify app installed for optimal performance.

Step 2: Tap the “Share” Button

Look for the three dots (ellipsis) next to the song title, album, or playlist name. Tap on these dots. A menu will appear with various options. Select the “Share” option.

Step 3: Choose “Instagram Direct”

From the sharing options, you should see “Instagram Direct” listed as a choice. Tap on it. This will automatically open the Instagram app.

Step 4: Select Your Recipient and Send

Instagram will launch and present you with a list of your recent conversations. Select the person or group chat you want to share the music with. You can also search for specific users. Once you’ve chosen your recipient, tap “Send” at the bottom of the screen.

The song will appear in your chat as a clickable link. Your friend can then tap the link to open the song directly in their Spotify app (if they have it installed).

Sharing Music From Apple Music on Instagram Chat

Apple Music also provides a similar sharing mechanism, making it convenient for Apple users to spread the musical joy.

Step 1: Locate the Song on Apple Music

Open the Apple Music app and find the song, album, or playlist you wish to share.

Step 2: Tap the Three Dots or the Share Icon

On Apple Music, you’ll typically find a three-dot menu or a dedicated “Share” icon (a square with an arrow pointing upwards) depending on where you are in the app (e.g., when viewing a song within an album vs. when viewing it on its own). Tap on the share icon.

Step 3: Select “Share Song” (If Applicable)

Depending on the context, you may see an option like “Share Song” or a similar phrasing. Select the appropriate sharing option that leads to the sharing menu.

Step 4: Choose “Instagram”

From the list of apps, find and select the Instagram icon. This will open the Instagram app.

Step 5: Choose “Direct” and Select Your Recipient

Instagram will launch and ask if you want to share to your Story or Direct. Choose “Direct.” Select the contact you want to send the song to and tap “Send.”

Just like with Spotify, the recipient will receive a link to the song within their Instagram chat. Tapping the link will open the song in their Apple Music app (assuming they are an Apple Music subscriber).

Sharing Music From SoundCloud on Instagram Chat

SoundCloud, the go-to platform for independent artists and unique sounds, also integrates with Instagram for easy sharing.

Step 1: Find the Track on SoundCloud

Open the SoundCloud app or website and locate the song you want to share.

Step 2: Tap the “Share” Button

On the SoundCloud interface, look for the “Share” button. It’s usually represented by an arrow pointing upwards.

Step 3: Select “Share to Instagram Direct”

A pop-up menu will appear with various sharing options. Choose the option that says “Share to Instagram Direct”. This will open the Instagram app.

Step 4: Select Your Recipient and Send

Instagram will open and prompt you to choose a recipient. Select the person or group you want to share the song with and tap “Send”.

Again, the song will be shared as a link in the chat, enabling the recipient to open it directly in SoundCloud.

Important Considerations

• Subscription Required: Keep in mind that your friend will need an active subscription to the music streaming service you’re sharing from to listen to the full song. If they don’t have a subscription, they may only be able to listen to a preview or a short snippet.
• App Installation: The recipient needs to have the relevant music streaming app (Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud) installed on their device to listen to the shared music directly from the Instagram chat link.
• Direct Audio Sharing Limitations: Instagram doesn’t currently support directly uploading and sending audio files within chats. Sharing through music streaming services is the standard and intended method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I share a song directly from my phone’s storage on Instagram Chat?

No, Instagram doesn’t allow you to send local audio files (like MP3s) directly through DMs. You must use the sharing features within music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud.

2. What happens if the person I’m sharing with doesn’t have a Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud account?

If the recipient doesn’t have an account or subscription with the relevant music streaming service, they might only be able to listen to a preview of the song, or they might be prompted to sign up for a free trial or subscription.

3. Is it possible to share a song on Instagram Chat from a website other than Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud?

Yes, if the website provides a direct link to the song that can be shared. You can copy the link from the website and paste it directly into the Instagram chat. However, the experience might not be as seamless as using the built-in sharing features of the music streaming apps.

4. How do I share a song from YouTube Music on Instagram Chat?

Similar to other music services, locate the “Share” button on the YouTube Music app or website. Copy the link and paste it into your Instagram chat. This will allow your friend to open the song directly in YouTube Music.

5. Can I share a playlist instead of just a single song?

Yes, all three major platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud) allow you to share entire playlists using the same sharing methods described above.

6. Will the song automatically play when I send it in the chat?

No, the song will not automatically play. The recipient needs to tap on the link to open the song in their respective music streaming app.

7. Is there a limit to how many songs I can share in a single Instagram chat?

There is no explicit limit to the number of songs you can share. However, bombarding someone with too many links at once might be overwhelming and less effective.

8. Can I share music to a group chat on Instagram?

Yes, you can share music to group chats using the same methods. Simply select the group chat as the recipient when sharing from Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud.

9. What if the song I want to share isn’t available on any of the major streaming platforms?

If the song isn’t available on major streaming platforms, consider uploading it to SoundCloud if you have the rights to do so, then share the SoundCloud link. Or, share a YouTube link if the song is available there. If these solutions don’t work, you may not be able to share a direct streaming link.

10. Can I share music to my Instagram Story instead of a direct message?

Yes, you can easily share music to your Instagram Story using the music sticker. This feature is directly integrated within Instagram’s Story creation tool, allowing you to add a song clip to your Story.

11. Is it legal to share music via Instagram Chat?

Sharing links to songs from legitimate music streaming services is generally legal, as long as the content is available through authorized channels. However, sharing illegally downloaded or copyrighted material is not permitted.

12. I am having trouble sharing a link. It shows error. What should I do?

First, check your internet connection to ensure the connection is smooth. Then, clear your Instagram cache and data. You can also check if the link is correct or broken. Finally, restart your phone and try again. If the problem is not solved, you may need to contact Instagram Support.

By following these steps and keeping these considerations in mind, you can easily share your favorite music with friends and followers on Instagram, creating a richer and more engaging experience within your DMs. Happy sharing!