To add background music, go to the post-recording editing screen and tap the “Sounds” icon (musical note) in the bottom toolbar. Select a track from the library and tap the red checkmark or “Add to video” to apply it directly to your project.
This guide provides the exact technical steps to insert an audio track from the TikTok library into your video project as of January 2026. It focuses exclusively on the process of adding and applying the sound.
Step-by-Step: Adding Background Music
- Open the Sound Library: On the editing screen (after recording your clip), tap the “Sounds” icon located in the bottom menu.
- Select Your Track: Browse the library and tap on a song title to hear a preview. Once you have found the desired track, tap the red checkmark or the “Use this sound” button.
- Confirm Selection: Tap “Add to video” or “Done” in the top-right corner to finalize the addition of the music to your video timeline.
This guide explains the technical process of “adding” a selected sound to your video. To learn how to find trending or specific songs, please refer to our dedicated guide on how to find sounds on TikTok.
What This Does NOT Do
Adding background music does not automatically mute your original audio; it overlays the new track on top of existing sounds.
Conclusion & Next Step
You have successfully added music to your TikTok video. Now that your track is in place, the most important next step is ensuring the music doesn’t drown out your voice or the video’s original audio. Follow our guide on how to adjust video volume on TikTok to create the perfect audio balance before you post.
TopQLearn Editorial Team
Expert Analysis & Educational Content
