How to mute a video for Instagram Reels
Quick answer
In the Reels editor, tap Next, open Audio and drag the volume bar under Camera Audio all the way down before you share. If you’d rather upload a file with no sound at all, remove the audio track first and add music from Instagram’s library afterwards.
Turn off the original sound in the Reels editor
Instagram lets you mix the sound of your clip with music, voiceover and sound effects before you post. Turning the clip’s own sound down to zero is part of that mix.
- Record a reel or upload a video in the Instagram app, then tap Next at the bottom.
- Tap Audio at the bottom of the editor.
- Find the volume bar under Camera Audio, shown on the left, and drag it all the way down.
- Optionally tap Music to add a song, Voiceover to record narration or Sound Effects to add effects, and adjust their bars too.
- Tap Done at the top, then Next at the bottom, and share your reel.
Camera Audio is the sound recorded by your microphone while filming, or the audio that was already in a video you uploaded. Music from Instagram’s library and other creators’ original audio appear on the right.
Upload a silent file instead
Muting the file before it reaches Instagram is useful when you edit on a computer, want the same silent clip for TikTok or Stories, or want to be sure no voices or background music slip through. It also matters for public accounts: Instagram says anyone can reuse your original audio in their own reels, and a clip with no sound has none to reuse.
- Remove the sound from the file. On iPhone, open the video in Photos, tap Edit and tap the speaker icon (duplicate it first if you want to keep a version with sound). On a computer, use QuickTime Player on Mac (Edit > Remove Audio), Clipchamp on Windows or a browser tool such as MuteVideo.
- Move the silent file to your phone if needed.
- Create a reel, select the file and tap Next.
- Tap Audio, then Music, choose a track and the part you want to use, and tap Done.
- Preview the reel and share it.
Instagram’s publishing specs list MP4 and MOV, so keep your silent copy in one of those formats.
What muting does and doesn’t do for copyright
Removing the original sound gets rid of any music that was playing in the background while you filmed, but it isn’t a guarantee against copyright action. Music you add from Instagram’s library is licensed for use on Instagram, and those agreements can change.
- If Instagram mutes a licensed track on your reel later, you can tap Audio unavailable, then Replace audio, and pick another licensed track. You can replace a muted track only once.
- When you download a reel that contains licensed music or another creator’s original audio, Instagram removes all the audio from the download. Reels with only your own original audio download with sound.
Check before you post
- Preview the reel with your phone’s sound on, not in silent mode, so you hear exactly what viewers will.
- If you recorded a voiceover, make sure you didn’t turn down its bar along with Camera Audio.
- If you uploaded a silent file, the Camera Audio bar has nothing to control. That’s expected.
Questions and answers
Can I mute a reel after posting it?
Instagram’s help center only documents changing the audio of a published reel when Instagram itself has muted the track, in which case you can replace it once. Otherwise, plan to mix or mute the audio before you share, or post a new version.
Does muting a video stop copyright claims on Instagram?
It removes music that was in your recording, which helps, but it can’t guarantee anything. Instagram’s music agreements change, and licensed tracks can be muted later.
Why does my downloaded reel have no sound?
Instagram removes all audio from downloads of reels that contain licensed music or another creator’s original audio. Reels with only your own audio keep their sound when downloaded.