How to Change Music on TikTok After Posting: The Ultimate Guide

So, you’ve poured your heart (and maybe a few filters) into creating the perfect TikTok, finally hitting that glorious “Post” button. Then bam! You realize the song just doesn’t quite fit the vibe. Can you change the music on TikTok after posting? Unfortunately, the short answer is no, you cannot directly change the music on a TikTok video after it has been posted.

However, don’t despair! There are workarounds and alternative strategies you can use to achieve a similar result. Think of this as not fixing a problem, but creatively reimagining your masterpiece. This article will explore those alternatives in depth, giving you practical solutions and answering all your burning questions about the TikTok music landscape.

What Are Your Options?

Since direct music replacement is off the table, here’s a rundown of your viable options:

• Delete and Re-upload: This is the most straightforward, albeit potentially painful, option. You’ll lose any views, likes, comments, and shares accumulated on the original video. Weigh this carefully against your desire to change the music.
• Save the Video and Re-edit: This involves saving your posted video, then re-editing it in TikTok (or another video editing app) with the desired music. This allows you to retain the visual content but requires recreating any in-app edits you initially made (text overlays, stickers, effects).
• Use a Third-Party Video Editor: Employ a more robust video editing app to add the new music. This is best if you need granular control over audio levels or want to add more sophisticated audio effects.
• Consider the Sound On/Off Strategy: If the original audio is relatively quiet or nonexistent (perhaps it’s a visual gag or a dancing video), you can simply encourage viewers to mute the video and play the desired music independently. Add a text overlay like “Mute and play [Song Title]!”

Deleting and Re-uploading: The Nuclear Option

Sometimes, the original music choice is just so wrong that starting fresh is the only solution. Here’s how to delete a TikTok video:

1. Go to your profile.
2. Select the video you want to delete.
3. Tap the three dots (the “…” icon) on the right side of the screen.
4. Scroll to the right until you find the “Delete” icon.
5. Tap “Delete” and confirm.

Important Considerations: Deleting a video is permanent. There’s no undo button. Before you delete, consider saving the video to your device as a backup.

Saving and Re-editing: A Second Chance

This method allows you to salvage your visual creation. Here’s the process:

1. Go to your posted video.
2. Tap the three dots (“…”) on the right side of the screen.
3. Tap “Save video.” The video will be saved to your device’s camera roll.
4. Start a new TikTok video.
5. Tap the “Upload” button.
6. Select the saved video from your camera roll.
7. Add the desired music using TikTok’s sound library.
8. Recreate any text overlays, stickers, or effects you originally added.
9. Post the video.

The Catch: Recreating the original edits can be time-consuming and might not be perfectly identical.

Third-Party Video Editors: Unleashing Creative Power

For maximum control, consider using a dedicated video editing app like Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie (on iOS), or CapCut. These apps allow you to precisely adjust audio levels, add sound effects, and even create custom audio mixes.

1. Save your TikTok video to your device (as described above).
2. Import the video into your chosen video editing app.
3. Import the desired music track.
4. Adjust audio levels to balance the music and any original audio in the video.
5. Export the edited video.
6. Upload the edited video to TikTok.

Pro Tip: Many video editing apps offer features like audio ducking, which automatically lowers the music volume when someone is speaking in the video.

The Sound On/Off Strategy: A Clever Hack

This is the least invasive approach and works best when the original video doesn’t heavily rely on its initial audio. Simply add a text overlay to your video suggesting viewers mute it and play a specific song separately. This works especially well for dance videos or purely visual content.

Why it Works: It taps into the existing TikTok culture of remixing and repurposing content.

FAQs: Your TikTok Music Questions Answered

Here are answers to common questions about music and TikTok:

1. Can I edit other aspects of my TikTok after posting (e.g., captions, hashtags)? Yes! You can edit the caption, hashtags, cover image, and privacy settings of a TikTok video after posting. Simply go to your video, tap the three dots, and select “Edit post.”
2. Does deleting and re-uploading affect my TikTok analytics? Absolutely. All views, likes, comments, and shares will be reset. Your video will essentially be treated as a brand new upload.
3. How do I find trending songs on TikTok? Look for the trending music note icon next to songs within the TikTok sound library. You can also browse the “For You” page and pay attention to songs used frequently in popular videos.
4. Are there copyright restrictions on using music on TikTok? Yes. TikTok has licensing agreements with many music publishers, but those licenses apply within the TikTok platform. Using copyrighted music outside of TikTok’s built-in library can lead to copyright claims.
5. Can I use my own original music on TikTok? Yes! You can upload your own original music or sounds to TikTok and use them in your videos. This is a great way to promote your music.
6. How do I add my original music to TikTok? You’ll need to use a distributor like DistroKid, TuneCore, or CD Baby to get your music onto platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. TikTok then pulls music from these platforms.
7. What happens if I use copyrighted music without permission on TikTok? TikTok may mute your video, remove the audio, or even take down the entire video. Repeated copyright infringements can lead to account suspension.
8. Can I use music from another video in my TikTok? Yes, you can use the sound from another TikTok video by tapping on the spinning record icon at the bottom of the video and selecting “Use sound.”
9. How can I improve the audio quality of my TikTok videos? Use a good quality microphone, record in a quiet environment, and avoid excessive background noise. You can also use audio editing tools to enhance the sound.
10. Is it possible to collaborate with musicians on TikTok? Absolutely! TikTok is a fantastic platform for collaboration. You can create duets, stitches, or simply tag musicians in your videos.
11. How can I use music to create engaging TikTok content? Use music that matches the mood and style of your video, create dance challenges, use music for comedic effect, or tell a story through music.
12. Are there any TikTok features that help me discover new music? Yes! The “For You” page algorithm is designed to introduce you to new and trending music based on your viewing habits. Also, explore themed playlists curated by TikTok.

Conclusion: Embrace the TikTok Remix Culture

While the inability to directly change music after posting on TikTok can be frustrating, it also fosters creativity. By understanding the alternative methods available, you can still achieve your desired result and even discover new and innovative ways to engage your audience. Think of it less as a limitation and more as an opportunity to participate in the vibrant and ever-evolving TikTok remix culture. So, go forth, create, and don’t be afraid to experiment! Your perfect TikTok sound is just waiting to be discovered (or re-discovered).