How to Add Music to a Video on iPhone (iMovie and Photos)

A backing track can turn a plain clip into something that feels like a finished little film. A product reveal, a behind-the-scenes clip, a client thank-you: music sets the mood before anyone reads a word. The question is where to do it on an iPhone, because the obvious place doesn't have the option.

Here's the honest bit first. The editing screen in the Photos app, according to Apple's help, has Video, Audio Mix, Adjust, Filters and Crop tools. There's no button there for adding a song to a single clip. Apple's own route for that is iMovie, its own video editing app, and that's what this guide follows, using Apple's iMovie for iPhone guide.

Starting an iMovie project for your clip

1. Open iMovie on your iPhone (download it from the App Store if it's not already there).
2. Tap Start New Project, then tap Movie.
3. Tap the video or videos you want to use. Selected items show a blue checkmark.
4. Tap Create Movie at the bottom of the screen.

Your clip now sits in a timeline, which is where the music goes. If you don't see Start New Project, Apple says to tap Projects to get back to the Projects browser.

Choosing one of iMovie's built-in soundtracks

iMovie comes with its own collection of soundtracks, and Apple's guide says they adjust to fit the length of your project. That's the easiest option for most small business videos, because the music ends neatly with your clip.

1. With your project open, tap the Add Media button.
2. Tap Audio, then tap Soundtracks.
3. Tap a track to preview it. Some show a Download button first, and you'll need an internet connection to get them.
4. Tap the track you like, then tap the Add Audio button.

Theme music from iMovie's themes is in the same list. Apple says to scroll down to the Theme Music section of the Soundtracks list.

Using a song from your own iPhone music library or iCloud Drive

If you'd rather use your own track, Apple's guide gives two routes:

• From your device: tap Add Media, tap Audio, then tap My Music. Tap an item to listen, then tap the Add Audio button.
• From iCloud Drive: move the playhead (the white vertical line) to where the song should go, tap Add Media, tap Audio, tap iCloud Drive, find the file and tap the Add Audio button.

Songs that look dimmed or say Unavailable need downloading to your phone first. Apple's guide also says songs protected by digital rights management can't be used in iMovie at all.

The music rights question nobody wants to think about

This matters if your video is for a business. Apple's iMovie guide says that to use a song from the iTunes Store in your project, you must be the copyright holder or have express permission from the copyright holder. Owning a copy of a song isn't the same as having permission to put it in a promo video.

For anything public, iMovie's own soundtracks, music you made yourself, or tracks you have clear permission for are the safer choices. If you're posting on a social platform, many have their own music libraries you can add inside the app, which is often simplest for short clips.

How iMovie fits the music to your video

What you'll notice	What Apple's guide says
Green clip in the timeline	That's background music
Blue clip in the timeline	A song shorter than 1 minute, treated like a sound effect
Music keeps going to the end	iMovie loops background music to fit the movie by default
Several songs added	They play one at a time, arranged automatically
Built-in soundtracks	They adjust to fit the length of the project

Apple's tip for music videos is to add the music first, so you can line your clips up with specific points in the track. If the song is under a minute, you need to add video before you add the music.

Saving the finished video with music to Photos

When it sounds right, Apple's guide says to tap your project in the Projects browser, tap the Share button, tap Share Video and then tap Save Video. The new version, music included, lands in your photo library ready to post. You can also choose Save to Files, or pick a resolution under Options first.

Adding music without iMovie: memories and slideshows in Photos

If you don't need to edit a single clip and just want a set of photos and videos with a song, Photos can do it. Apple's help says memory movies come with music, and you can change it: play the memory, tap the screen, tap Customize, tap Music, then tap Change Song. Slideshows made in Photos are set to music automatically too. It's a lovely shortcut for a quick event recap.

Getting the volume right for business videos

• If people are talking, keep the music low so voices stay clear.
• Preview on your phone speaker and on headphones before you post.
• Pick music that matches your brand: calm for services, upbeat for launches.
• Add captions, because many people scroll with the sound off anyway.

For more on shaping short promotional pieces from start to finish, my guide on producing promo social videos with an iPhone walks through the whole process. And for tutorial videos where you'll talk over the screen, how to choose screen recording software for tutorials is the place to start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add music to a video in the iPhone Photos app?

Not to a single clip. Apple's help lists Video, Audio Mix, Adjust, Filters and Crop tools on the Photos edit screen. Use iMovie to add music, or use a memory movie or slideshow in Photos, which come with music.

How do I add music to a video on iPhone with iMovie?

Create a movie project with your clip, tap the Add Media button, tap Audio, choose Soundtracks or My Music, then tap the Add Audio button.

Why can't I add a song to iMovie?

Songs that appear dimmed or Unavailable need downloading first. Apple says songs protected by digital rights management can't be used in iMovie.

Can I use any song in a business video?

Apple's iMovie guide says that to use an iTunes Store song you must be the copyright holder or have express permission from them. iMovie's built-in soundtracks are a safer choice.

How do I save my iMovie video to Photos?

Tap the project, tap the Share button, tap Share Video, then tap Save Video.