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How to Add a Song to a Video on an iPhone: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve got a killer video on your iPhone, but it’s missing that je ne sais quoi – that perfect sonic backdrop that will elevate it from “meh” to “magnifique.” You want to add a song, transform it, and share it with the world. Well, friend, you’ve come to the right place. Adding music to your videos on an iPhone is surprisingly straightforward, but understanding the nuances can make all the difference. Let’s dive in.

The core of the answer is this: you cannot directly add a song to a video within the native Photos app on your iPhone. Instead, you’ll need to leverage other apps, both those included with your iPhone or readily available in the App Store. Your best options are iMovie (free and pre-installed on many iPhones) and third-party video editing apps like InShot, CapCut, or Splice. Each offers slightly different features and levels of complexity, but the core principle remains the same: import your video, import your desired song, and then adjust the volume levels to create the perfect auditory balance. Now, let’s get into the details, the caveats, and the pro-tips that will make you a mobile video-editing maestro.

Using iMovie: A Beginner’s Best Friend

iMovie is Apple’s free video editing software, and it’s surprisingly powerful. It’s the go-to recommendation for most iPhone users looking to add music to their videos without having to download additional apps. Here’s how it works:

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Music with iMovie

Open iMovie: Locate the iMovie app on your iPhone and tap to open it.
Create a New Project: Tap the “+” button to start a new project. You’ll be presented with two options: “Movie” and “Trailer.” Select “Movie.”
Select Your Video: iMovie will access your photo library. Choose the video you want to add music to and tap “Create Movie” at the bottom.
Import Audio: Tap the “+” button again. This time, select “Audio.” You’ll see several options: “Theme Music,” “My Music,” and “Audio Recordings.”
- Theme Music: iMovie offers a selection of royalty-free music you can use. Browse the themes and preview the music.
- My Music: This is where you’ll find songs from your Apple Music library or any music you’ve synced to your iPhone. Select the song you want to use.
- Audio Recordings: You can even record your own voiceover or music directly within iMovie.
Adjust Audio and Video Length: Once you’ve added the song, you’ll likely need to trim it to match the length of your video. Drag the edges of the audio clip to shorten or lengthen it. You can also split the audio clip if you want to use only a portion of the song.
Adjust Volume Levels: This is crucial. Tap on the video clip and then tap the volume icon (a speaker). Adjust the slider to lower the video’s original audio. Then, tap on the audio clip you added and adjust its volume to the desired level. The goal is to find a balance where the music complements the video without overpowering it.
Fine-Tune Your Edit: iMovie offers a variety of other editing tools, such as transitions, filters, and text overlays. Feel free to experiment and enhance your video.
Export Your Video: Once you’re happy with your edit, tap “Done” in the upper-left corner. Then, tap the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward). Choose your desired resolution and frame rate and then tap “Save Video.” Your edited video will be saved to your Photos app.

Tips for iMovie Users

Fade In/Out: Use fade-in and fade-out effects on your audio to create a smoother transition at the beginning and end of your video.
Audio Ducking: iMovie has an “Audio Ducking” feature (found under the volume settings) that automatically lowers the music volume when speech is detected in the video’s original audio. This is great for ensuring dialogue is clear.
Experiment with Themes: iMovie’s themes can add a polished look to your video with minimal effort.

Exploring Third-Party Video Editing Apps

While iMovie is a great starting point, more advanced users might want to explore third-party apps like InShot, CapCut, or Splice. These apps often offer more features, flexibility, and customization options. Here’s a brief overview:

InShot: InShot is a popular choice for social media creators. It offers a wide range of editing tools, including filters, stickers, text, and background music options. It’s particularly well-suited for creating videos for TikTok and Instagram Reels.
CapCut: CapCut is a free video editing app from TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. It’s known for its user-friendly interface and a vast library of free music, sound effects, and stickers.
Splice: Splice is a more professional-grade mobile video editing app. It offers advanced features like audio mixing, chroma keying (green screen), and precise trimming.

The process of adding music to a video in these apps is generally similar to iMovie: import the video, import the audio, adjust the volume levels, and then export the finished product. However, these apps often offer more granular control over audio editing, allowing you to fine-tune the sound to your exact preferences.

Licensing and Copyright: A Crucial Consideration

Before you add just any song to your video, you need to be aware of copyright laws. Using copyrighted music without permission can lead to your video being taken down or, in more severe cases, legal action.

Royalty-Free Music: The safest option is to use royalty-free music. There are many websites that offer royalty-free music libraries, such as Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and PremiumBeat. You typically need to pay a subscription fee to access these libraries, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Creative Commons Licenses: Some artists release their music under Creative Commons licenses, which allow you to use their music for free under certain conditions (e.g., attribution).
Fair Use: “Fair Use” is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. However, fair use is a complex and often debated topic, and it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Always check the licensing terms of any music you plan to use in your video to ensure you’re complying with copyright laws. Using music from iMovie’s “Theme Music” library is generally safe, as Apple has already secured the necessary licenses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I add music directly from Spotify or Apple Music to my video?

No, you cannot directly add music from Spotify or Apple Music to a video using the native Photos app or most third-party video editing apps. This is due to digital rights management (DRM) restrictions imposed by these streaming services. You need to download the music as a separate audio file (which may violate their terms of service) or use royalty-free music.

2. How do I extract audio from a YouTube video to use in my iPhone video?

Extracting audio from a YouTube video for use in another video without permission is generally a violation of copyright law. It’s best to avoid this practice unless you have explicit permission from the copyright holder. There are third-party apps and websites that claim to do this, but their legality is questionable.

3. What if my music is not showing up in iMovie?

Make sure the song is downloaded onto your iPhone, not just streamed. Also, ensure the song is not protected by DRM. Try restarting iMovie or your iPhone. Check the Apple Music settings to ensure that “iCloud Music Library” is enabled.

4. How can I loop a song in iMovie?

To loop a song in iMovie, duplicate the audio clip multiple times until it covers the entire length of your video. You can copy and paste the audio clip repeatedly to achieve this. Ensure that the transitions between the loops are smooth to avoid any jarring audio jumps.

5. How do I adjust the audio levels of multiple audio tracks in iMovie or other apps?

iMovie allows you to adjust the volume of each audio track independently. Tap on the audio clip and use the volume slider to adjust its level. For more advanced audio mixing, consider using third-party apps like Splice, which offer more granular control over audio levels and effects.

6. What file formats are supported for audio in iMovie and other video editing apps?

Most video editing apps, including iMovie, support common audio file formats like MP3, WAV, and AAC. If your audio file is in a different format, you may need to convert it to one of these formats using an audio converter app or online tool.

7. How do I add sound effects to my video on iPhone?

You can add sound effects to your video using iMovie or third-party video editing apps. Look for sound effect libraries within the app or download sound effects from royalty-free websites. Import the sound effects as you would a music track and then position them in your video timeline as needed.

8. Can I record my own voiceover directly within iMovie or other apps?

Yes, most video editing apps, including iMovie, allow you to record your own voiceover. Look for a microphone icon within the app’s editing interface. Tap the icon to start recording and then speak into your iPhone’s microphone.

9. How do I remove the original audio from my video on iPhone?

In iMovie, tap on the video clip in the timeline. Then, tap the volume icon and drag the slider all the way to the left to mute the original audio. Alternatively, some third-party apps offer a “detach audio” feature, which allows you to separate the audio from the video entirely.

10. What are the best royalty-free music sources for iPhone video editing?

Some popular royalty-free music sources include Epidemic Sound, Artlist, PremiumBeat, and YouTube Audio Library. Make sure to carefully review the licensing terms before using any music from these sources.

11. How much does it cost to use music legally in my videos?

The cost of using music legally in your videos can vary widely. Royalty-free music subscriptions typically range from $10 to $50 per month. Purchasing individual music tracks can cost anywhere from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, depending on the license.

12. Is it legal to use a short clip of a popular song under “fair use”?

The legality of using a short clip of a popular song under “fair use” is a complex and often debated issue. While fair use allows for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism or commentary, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid using copyrighted music without permission, especially for commercial purposes.

By following these steps and considering these FAQs, you can confidently add music to your videos on your iPhone and create engaging content that resonates with your audience. Happy editing!