Article last updated on:
August 07, 2024

This guide teaches you how to upload:

Basically, you’ll learn how to add any sort of audio to a TikTok.


How to Add Music to a TikTok video

Answer: To add music on your TikTok posts, start uploading a post and tap “🎵 original sound” at the top. Then, search or select a song.

  1. Open the TikTok app
  2. Tap “+” at the bottom
  3. Upload a video
  4. Tap “🎵 original sound” at the top
  5. Choose a song
  6. Hit “Save
How to add a song to a TikTok post
You can also search for songs

Note that if you’re a business acount, you won’t be able to use copyrighted songs.

Business accounts are limited to TikTok’s “basic” audios.


How to Add Your Own Music to a TikTok

To upload your own music to a TikTok, you’ll need to hit “Voiceover” during the upload/edit process.

Alternatively, use SendShort to add your music.

  • TikTok alone won’t let you upload audio files → you can only use their very own sounds from the app.
  • That’s why you need to use a free tool like SendShort

We’ll study each method individually.


Method 1: TikTok Voiceover

To upload your audio through a voiceover on TikTok: Upload your video > Tap the microphone on the right > Record voiceover > Tap “Save“.

  1. Open the TikTok app
  2. Hit “+” (bottom)
  3. Upload your video
  4. Tap the microphone icon on the right
  5. Record your audio
  6. Tap “Save
How to do a Voiceover on TikTok

This isn’t efficient if you want to add a song on top of your video.

Hence, you’ll probably find method number 2 useful.


Method 2: Audio File

To upload your own audio on top of a TikTok, create a free SendShort.ai account and upload your video. Go to “Audio” and insert your audio file (e.g. song or voiceover).

Here’s the step-by-step process:

  1. Sign up for free on SendShort
  2. Upload your TikTok
  3. Go to “Elements” > “Audio
  4. Import your audio file
  5. Export video & Upload to Upload
Adding sound effects to videos in SendShort
Add any audio you want

SendShort makes it super easy for you. Upload audio file or paste a YouTube link and we’ll add it to your TikTok.

You can then change the length and volume of the audio.


How to Add Someone Else’s Music on TikTok

Answer: To add somebody else’s music to your TikTok posts, simply find an audio you like and hit “Save Audio”. When uploading a video, you’ll see that audio

  1. Open the TikTok app
  2. Find a video with the audio you want
  3. Tap the audio’s name (bottom-left)
  4. Select “Use sound” or “Add to Favorites
  5. Add the sound to your TikTok
How to use somebody else's audio on TikTok

You’ve got two options for step number 2 as you can either create a TikTok on the spot or add the audio to an already-existing video in your drafts.


FAQs

1. Can you add copyrighted music to TikTok?

Yes, you can add copyrighted music to TikTok by using the app’s built-in music library — but not if you’re a business account.

Adding music from outside sources may violate copyright laws and could lead to your video being muted or removed.

TikTok’s music library has which includes licensed tracks (and they work for business accounts too).

2. How to avoid copyright music on TikTok?

To avoid copyright issues on TikTok, use music from TikTok’s built-in library, which includes licensed tracks. Alternatively, create and use your own original music or sounds.

3. Why can’t I add music to my TikTok?

You might not be able to add music to TikTok if the app is experiencing a glitch, your app isn’t updated, or if you’re in a region with restricted music licensing.

Ensure your app is updated and check your internet connection.


Thanks a lot for reading this,
David Ch
Head of the Editing Team at SendShort

About the author

David leads the editing team at SendShort. With this help, the team delivers the latest guides on using your favorite social media apps and creating short-form content.