How to Save a Song on Instagram

If you've been scrolling through Instagram and found yourself humming along to a catchy tune, you’ve probably wondered how to save a song on Instagram

Whether it's background music in an Instagram story or the soundtrack of a reel, there’s a good chance you’ll want to come back to that song later. 

Instagram makes it easy to save those songs so you can use them in your own content, or simply listen again when you feel like it. 

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to do it, why it’s useful, and even give some tips for making the most out of Instagram’s music features.

Why Would You Want to Save a Song on Instagram?

Instagram isn’t just a photo-sharing platform anymore - it's a place where people express themselves through music, Instagram stories, and Instagram videos. 

Music plays a big role in creating the mood for posts and reels on Instagram. So, why would you want to save a song on the Instagram app?

Here are a few reasons:

  • Creative Inspiration: You might come across a song that fits perfectly with an Instagram story or reel idea you have in mind.

  • Easy Access for Future Use: Saving a song means you don’t have to hunt it down again when you're ready to use it.

  • Music Discovery: Instagram’s music library has tracks you may not find on mainstream platforms like Spotify. When you save them, you’ll have an easy way to revisit those hidden gems.

Music on Instagram isn’t just a background; it’s a big part of how users interact with content. 

In fact, a study by HubSpot shows that 84% of Instagram users engage with Instagram stories daily, and many of those Instagram stories include music. 

Saving a song makes sense if you're planning to create or share content with your own twist.

How to Save a Song on Instagram

Let’s dive into the steps to save a song on Instagram. You’ll see that it’s super simple and only takes a few moments.

1. Find the Song You Want to Save

The first step, of course, is to find a song that catches your ear.

  • Scroll through Instagram, whether you're watching Instagram stories, reels, or exploring posts.

  • When you hear a song that you like, look for the song title at the bottom of the screen.

Sometimes it’s just a quick moment of music that grabs you, but other times, you might want to replay it a few times before deciding.

2. Tap on the Song Title

Once you spot a song you want to save, here's what to do:

  • Tap on the song title, usually located near the bottom of the reel or Instagram story.

  • Instagram will redirect you to a page dedicated to that specific song. This page shows details like the artist, the number of people who’ve used the song in their content, and even the lyrics for some tracks.

This is your window into everything you need to know about that tune, and it’s where you can save it for later use.

3. Save the Song

Now that you’re on the song’s page, saving it is a piece of cake:

  • Look for the bookmark icon or the word “Save.”

  • Tap on it to add the song to your collection.

That’s it! The song is now saved, and you can go back to it whenever you want. 

To find it later, you just need to visit your profile, head to your Saved section, and you’ll find it under the "Music" tab.

Accessing Saved Songs

After you’ve saved a song, you might be wondering how to actually find it again when you need it. Here’s how:

  1. Go to your Instagram profile.

  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.

  3. Select Saved from the list of options.

  4. Once you’re in the Saved section, you’ll see different tabs like "Posts," "Reels," and "Music." Just click on "Music," and you’ll find all the songs you’ve saved.

This method makes it easy to revisit songs and use them in your own Instagram stories or reels whenever you like.

How to Use Saved Songs in Your Own Content

After you’ve saved a song, you can easily incorporate it into your own Instagram content. 

This is especially handy for reels and Instagram stories, where music really brings the content to life. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Create a New Instagram Story or Reel

  • Open Instagram and tap on the “+” icon at the top of your screen to create a new post.

  • Choose whether you want to create an Instagram story, reel, or post.

2. Add Your Saved Song

Once you’re in the creation mode:

  1. Swipe up to access your saved songs or go to the music icon at the top of the screen.

  2. Select the "Saved" tab to quickly find your saved songs.

  3. Tap the song you want to use, and you’ll be able to adjust which part of the song plays in your content.

This is perfect for setting the right tone for whatever you're sharing, whether it's a funny moment, a cool dance routine, or a special memory.

Instagram vs. Other Platforms: Music Saving Comparison

When it comes to saving music, Instagram’s system is a little different from other platforms like TikTok or YouTube. Let’s compare:

Feature

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Saving Songs

Save directly via song title in reels

Save songs in-app but harder to access later

No direct saving, but you can add videos to playlists

Accessing Saved Songs

Easy via Saved section on profile

Requires searching through favorite sounds

Playlist-based, more organized

Adding Music to Posts

Simple and integrated into reels/past stories

Easy, integrated into short videos

More manual; need to add during Instagram draft video creation

As you can see, Instagram is one of the easiest platforms for saving and using music quickly. 

TikTok also allows song saving, but Instagram’s Saved section makes accessing those songs a lot smoother.

Tips for Using Music Creatively on Instagram

Now that you know how to save a song on Instagram, let’s talk about how to get creative with it.

  • Stay on trend: Instagram music trends come and go. Stay current by saving popular songs when they appear in reels.

  • Match the mood: Pick songs that fit the tone of your Instagram story or post. A soft, mellow tune might go well with a serene sunset, while something upbeat is perfect for an exciting moment.

  • Edit to the beat: If you’re making a reel, try cutting your video clips to the beat of the music for a more professional feel.

Conclusion

So, if you've been wondering how to save a song on Instagram, now you know it’s not difficult at all. 

Just a few taps, and you’ll have your favorite tunes saved and ready to use whenever inspiration strikes. 

Whether you're creating content or just want to keep track of songs you love, Instagram’s saving feature is a handy tool to have.

Remember, using music in your Instagram stories and reels can make your posts more engaging. 

My opinion? 

Take full advantage of the feature! With so many songs to choose from and an easy way to save them, it’s one of Instagram’s best tools for creativity for your Instagram story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you save music for Instagram?

To save Instagram music library, all you have to do is find a song you like while scrolling through reels or Instagram stories. 

When you hear a song that catches your attention, tap on the song title at the bottom of the screen. 

This will take you to the song's page. Once there, tap the bookmark icon or the “Save Story” button. 

The song is now saved to your Instagram collection, and you can access it later by going to your Saved section under your profile.

How do I download a song from Instagram?

Instagram doesn’t offer a built-in way to download songs directly from the app. 

The music is licensed for use within the platform, so you can only save songs to use them in your Instagram stories or reels, not download them to your device. 

If you want to use a song outside of Instagram, you’ll need to search for it on a music streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music. 

Some third-party apps claim to let you download Instagram music, but be cautious about using them as they may violate Instagram's terms or put your account at risk.

How do I add favorite songs on Instagram?

To add favorite songs on Instagram, start by saving songs you like (as explained earlier). Once you’ve saved some, you can easily access them when creating an Instagram story or reel:

  1. Open Instagram and start creating an Instagram story or reel by tapping the “+” icon.

  2. In the creation screen, tap the music icon at the top or swipe up to see more options.

  3. In the music section, tap on the Saved tab, and you’ll find all the songs you’ve marked as favorites.

  4. Select the one you want, and it will be added to your Instagram story or reel.

Why can't I save audio on Instagram reels?

If you're having trouble saving audio on Instagram reels, there could be a few reasons:

  1. Copyright Restrictions: Some songs may be restricted based on region or licensing issues, so you might not be able to save Instagram stories.

  2. Private Accounts: If the reel you’re trying to save the audio from belongs to a private account, you might not have the option to save Instagram stories.

  3. Instagram App Glitches: Sometimes the Instagram app has bugs or temporary glitches that prevent features from working as they should. Try closing and reopening the Instagram app or checking for updates on your Instagram story.

If none of these seem to be the issue, it could be a temporary bug, and checking Instagram’s help center might give you more insight.