How to Add Music on Snapchat: Your Ultimate Guide to Soundtracking Your Snaps

So, you want to amp up your Snapchat game and add that perfect sonic backdrop to your visual masterpieces? You’ve come to the right place. Adding music to Snapchat is a breeze, allowing you to express yourself beyond just visuals. Let’s dive into how to do it.

Here’s the simple answer: Open Snapchat, take a Snap (photo or video), tap the “Music” icon on the right-hand side of the screen (it looks like a music note), search for the song you want, select the desired section of the song, and send your Snap.

Now, let’s break that down and explore all the nuances to make sure you’re a Snapchat soundtracking pro!

The Core Steps: Adding Music to Your Snaps

It’s a relatively straightforward process, but let’s get granular so you know exactly what to do.

Step 1: Capture Your Snap

First things first, you need something to add music to. Open Snapchat and take either a photo or video Snap just like you normally would. Whether it’s a silly selfie, a scenic view, or a candid moment with friends, make sure your Snap is ready for its musical makeover. Remember to utilize all of Snapchat’s creative tools – filters, lenses, text, drawings – to really make your Snap pop before you add the music. This is where you set the stage.

Step 2: Find the Music Icon

After capturing your Snap, look on the right-hand side of your screen. You’ll see a vertical toolbar with various editing options. Among them, you’ll find the “Music” icon – it looks like a music note. Tap this icon to open the music library. If you don’t see the music note, make sure your app is updated to the latest version, and that the feature is available in your region.

Step 3: Explore and Select Your Song

This is where the fun begins! Snapchat’s music library is surprisingly extensive, offering a vast selection of tracks from popular artists and emerging talents. You can browse by genre, mood, or trending songs. Alternatively, use the search bar at the top to find a specific song or artist. This can be quite useful when you have a particular track in mind.

Once you’ve found the perfect song, tap on it to preview.

Step 4: Choose Your Snippet

Snapchat doesn’t let you play the entire song, which frankly, would be overkill for a Snap. Instead, you can select a specific snippet of the song to include in your Snap. A waveform will appear, allowing you to drag and adjust the selected portion. Experiment with different sections to find the part that best complements your visual.

Step 5: Adjust Music Volume

After selecting your music snippet, you can adjust the volume of the music relative to the audio captured in your Snap (if any). A slider will appear, allowing you to control the music’s loudness. This is especially important if you want your voice or any background sounds in your video to be audible alongside the music. Nobody wants to hear distorted audio or music overpowering their voices.

Step 6: Send Your Musical Masterpiece

Once you’re satisfied with your music selection and volume, tap the “Send To” button in the bottom right corner. Choose the friends or groups you want to share your musical creation with, and send away! Prepare for the compliments and the inevitable “How did you do that?!” messages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s address some common questions people have about adding music to Snapchat.

FAQ 1: Why Can’t I Find the Music Icon on Snapchat?

There are a few possible reasons why the Music icon might be missing.

• App Update: Ensure you have the latest version of the Snapchat app installed. Outdated versions often lack new features. Head to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) to check for updates.
• Geographic Restrictions: The Music feature isn’t available in all countries due to licensing agreements. Unfortunately, if you’re in a region without access, you’ll have to wait for Snapchat to expand its availability. VPNs are not recommended for circumventing this, as they can violate Snapchat’s terms of service.
• App Glitch: Sometimes, a simple app glitch can cause features to disappear. Try closing and reopening Snapchat. If that doesn’t work, restart your phone.

FAQ 2: Can I Use My Own Music on Snapchat?

Unfortunately, no, you can’t directly upload your own music files to Snapchat. Snapchat’s music library is curated and licensed, meaning you’re limited to the tracks they offer. This is due to copyright restrictions. If you really want to use a specific track, you could try playing it in the background while recording your Snap, but the audio quality might not be ideal and you risk copyright issues.

FAQ 3: How Do I Remove Music from a Snap After Adding It?

If you accidentally added the wrong song or just changed your mind, you can easily remove the music. Before sending the Snap, simply tap the “Music” icon again. This will bring you back to the music selection screen. From there, you should see an option to “Remove Music” or a small “x” next to the selected song. Tap that to remove the music.

FAQ 4: Can I Add Music to Snaps I’ve Already Taken?

Yes! You can add music to Snaps even after you’ve captured them. Simply open the Snap in your Memories, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, select “Edit Snap,” and follow the same steps for adding music as outlined above. This is great for giving old Snaps a new lease on life.

FAQ 5: How Long Can the Music Snippet Be?

The maximum duration of the music snippet you can add to a Snap is determined by the length of the Snap itself. Snapchat will often have a limit of up to 60 seconds for the music snippet. If your Snap is shorter than that, the music will be cut off accordingly. Choose your snippet wisely!

FAQ 6: Can I Use Music in Snapchat Stories?

Absolutely! The process for adding music to Snapchat Stories is identical to adding it to individual Snaps. Open Snapchat, capture your Snap, add the music, and then tap the “Story” button to add it to your public or private Story.

FAQ 7: Is There a Way to Discover New Music on Snapchat?

Snapchat often highlights trending songs and playlists within its music library. Pay attention to these sections, as they can be a great way to discover new artists and tracks. Also, keep an eye on what songs your friends are using in their Snaps; it might lead you to your next favorite song.

FAQ 8: Can I Share the Song I Used in a Snap with Others?

While Snapchat doesn’t directly offer a “share song” button, you can easily tell your friends the name of the song and the artist. You can even take a screenshot of the music selection screen and share it in your Snap.

FAQ 9: Does Adding Music Affect the Quality of My Snap?

Adding music generally doesn’t significantly affect the quality of your Snap, whether it’s a photo or video. However, if you have a weak internet connection, the upload process might take slightly longer.

FAQ 10: Can I Use Snapchat Music for Commercial Purposes?

No. Snapchat’s music library is intended for personal, non-commercial use only. Using Snapchat music in advertisements, promotional videos, or any other commercial context could result in copyright infringement. You’ll need to obtain the necessary licenses if you want to use copyrighted music for commercial purposes.

FAQ 11: What Happens If My Friend Doesn’t Have the Music Feature Available?

If you send a Snap with music to a friend who doesn’t have the music feature available in their region or hasn’t updated their app, they might still see the Snap, but they won’t hear the music. The Snap will function like a regular Snap without sound.

FAQ 12: How Do I Report a Song with Inappropriate Content?

If you come across a song in Snapchat’s music library that you believe contains inappropriate content, you can report it to Snapchat. Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct “report” button. However, you can contact Snapchat Support through their website or app and provide details about the song and why you find it offensive. Snapchat takes these reports seriously and will investigate accordingly.

By following these steps and keeping these FAQs in mind, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Snapchat music maestro! Now go forth and soundtrack your Snaps with style!