How to Remove Song from Instagram Post (Without Deleting It)

Got a copyright claim on your Instagram post? Or maybe you just want to swap the song for something better? Here's everything you need to know about removing songs from Instagram content.

The Bad News: Instagram doesn't allow direct audio editing on published posts.

The Good News: There are workarounds, and you can prevent issues on future posts.

Why Instagram Removes or Mutes Songs

Before diving into solutions, understand why this happens:

Copyright Claims

Instagram automatically detects copyrighted music. If you use a song without rights:

• Post may be muted automatically
• Video might be blocked in certain countries
• Entire post could be taken down
• Account could face restrictions (repeat offenses)

Regional Restrictions

Some songs are licensed only in certain countries. Your post might:

• Play normally for you
• Be muted for viewers in other regions
• Show "Audio unavailable in your region"

Method 1: Edit Before It's Too Late (Draft/Unpublished)

If your post isn't published yet:

For Reels

1. Go to your draft or editing screen
2. Tap the music icon
3. Tap the X next to the current song
4. Choose "Original Audio" or select new music
5. Post without the problematic song

For Stories

1. On the editing screen
2. Tap the speaker icon
3. Select Mute or Original Audio
4. Replace with Instagram's licensed music if desired

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Method 2: Already Posted — Your Options

Once published, you can't directly edit audio. Here are your choices:

Option A: Delete and Re-Upload (Recommended)

The cleanest solution:

1. Save your video first (download it)
2. Delete the original post
3. Edit the audio (remove/replace the song)
4. Re-upload as new content

Downsides:

• Lose likes, comments, shares
• Lose algorithm momentum
• Have to rebuild engagement

Option B: Appeal the Claim (If Wrongful)

If you believe the claim is incorrect:

1. Go to your post
2. Tap the notification about audio issues
3. Select "I think this is wrong" or similar
4. Submit an appeal

When this works:

• You actually have rights to the music
• The detection was a false positive
• You're using royalty-free music that's misidentified

Option C: Accept Partial Muting

Sometimes Instagram only mutes the song in certain regions:

• Your video still plays with audio in most places
• Only specific countries hear muted version
• You keep your engagement

Decide if partial reach is acceptable vs. re-uploading.

Method 3: Download, Edit, Re-Upload

Step-by-step for the re-upload method:

Step 1: Download Your Post

From Instagram directly (Reels only):

1. Open your Reel
2. Tap ... (three dots)
3. Select "Download" or "Save"

Using third-party tools:

• SnapInsta
• SaveInsta
• IGDownloader

Paste your post URL to download.

Step 2: Remove the Song

Quick mute (removes all audio):

• CapCut: Import → Tap audio → Mute
• InShot: Import → Volume → 0%
• iMovie: Import → Detach Audio → Delete

Keep voice, remove only music:

1. Extract audio from video
2. Upload to StemSplit
3. Download "Vocals" stem (voice without music)
4. Replace audio in video editor

Step 3: Add New Audio (Optional)

Choose from:

• Original audio only (your voice, ambient sound)
• Instagram's music library (licensed for use)
• Royalty-free music (YouTube Audio Library, Uppbeat)
• Your own music (if you have rights)

Step 4: Re-Upload

1. Delete original post (or archive it)
2. Upload edited video
3. Add fresh caption/hashtags
4. Post!

Preventing Future Issues

Use Instagram's Music Library

Music added through Instagram's built-in feature is pre-licensed:

1. Create your Reel/Story
2. Tap the music icon
3. Search for songs
4. Select from available tracks

These won't get copyright claims.

Use Royalty-Free Music

Free sources:

• YouTube Audio Library
• Uppbeat (free tier)
• Pixabay Music
• Free Music Archive

Paid sources:

• Epidemic Sound
• Artlist
• Musicbed

Create Instrumental Versions

Have a song you love but can't use?

1. Find the original track
2. Use StemSplit to remove vocals
3. Use the instrumental for background
4. Vocals are usually the copyrighted element detected

Note: This doesn't guarantee copyright clearance — the instrumental is still owned by someone. But it may avoid automated detection in some cases.

Stick to Trending Audio

Instagram shows "trending" audio in Reels:

• These are usually safe to use
• Get algorithm boost for using trending sounds
• Less likely to have issues

FAQ

Can I remove the song without deleting my post?

No — Instagram doesn't allow editing audio on published posts. Your options are accepting the mute, appealing, or re-uploading.

Will I lose my likes and comments?

If you delete and re-upload, yes. There's no way to preserve engagement while replacing audio on a published post.

What if my video has both voice AND copyrighted music?

Use AI stem separation to extract just your voice:

1. Download the video
2. Extract and separate audio with StemSplit
3. Use the voice-only track
4. Add royalty-free background music
5. Re-upload

How do I know if a song is copyrighted?

Assume all commercial music is copyrighted unless:

• It's in Instagram's built-in library
• It's explicitly royalty-free
• You have written permission
• It's in the public domain

Can I use 10-15 seconds of any song?

No — there's no "fair use" exemption for short clips of music on social media. Any copyrighted music can trigger claims.

What happens if I keep getting claims?

Repeated copyright violations can lead to:

• Features disabled temporarily
• Account warnings
• Possible account suspension
• Shadowbanning

Can I monetize posts with copyrighted music?

No — if your post uses copyrighted music (even if not claimed), you typically can't monetize it. Rights holders may claim revenue instead.

Tools Summary

The Bottom Line

Instagram's copyright detection is aggressive, and there's no easy fix once a post is flagged. Your best strategy:

1. Use Instagram's music library for safe tracks
2. Use royalty-free music from legitimate sources
3. If flagged, download, edit, re-upload
4. If you need to keep dialogue, use AI separation

Prevention is much easier than removal.

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