The Photos app can't add music to a single video. But Apple's free iMovie app can, in about a minute, with built-in soundtracks you're allowed to use.
Add music in iMovie
- Open iMovie (free from Apple in the App Store).
- Tap Start New Project > Movie, pick your video, and tap Create Movie.
- Tap the + (Add Media) button, then Audio.
- Choose a source:
- Soundtracks: free music made for iMovie.
- My Music: songs you own and have downloaded to your iPhone.
- Files: audio files in iCloud Drive or the Files app.
- Tap a track to preview it, then tap + to add it.
- The music appears as a colored bar under your video.
- Tap Done > Share > Save Video.
Adjust the volume and fades
- Tap the music in the timeline, tap Audio, and drag the volume slider. Background music usually sits well at 20 to 40 percent.
- Tap Fade to add a fade-in and fade-out.
- iMovie automatically lowers background music while your video's own sound plays. Apple calls this "ducking".
Why can't I add my Apple Music songs?
Songs streamed or downloaded through an Apple Music subscription are protected and can't be added to iMovie projects. Only songs you've bought, own as files, or iMovie's Soundtracks will work.
What music can you legally use?
- iMovie Soundtracks: safe for your videos.
- Royalty-free libraries, like the YouTube Audio Library: check each track's license.
- Platform music, like Instagram or TikTok's built-in library: add it when posting.
- Popular songs you don't have rights to: likely to get muted, blocked, or flagged.
Where MobileStudio fits
For app demos, music sets the pace of the video. MobileStudio is built to turn screen recordings of your app into polished, share-ready demos on your phone. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
Can I add music to a video on iPhone without an app?
Only through Photos Memories. For a single video, use iMovie.
Is iMovie music copyright-free?
iMovie's Soundtracks are provided for use in your iMovie projects.
