So, you’ve crafted the perfect TikTok, you’ve nailed every move, edited it to be chef’s-kiss flawless, and then...you realize the song is all wrong.
Maybe it was a last-minute change, or perhaps it sounded better at 2 a.m. when you were half-asleep. Now, you want to swap the soundtrack to something that better captures your video’s vibe.
And that’s when you realize TikTok doesn’t exactly make it easy to go back and edit a song. In fact, it makes it... impossible.
Can You Really Change Your Song After Posting?
Nope. No, you can’t. TikTok has yet to bless us with the feature to swap out the sound on a video that’s already been posted. Once it’s out there on the platform, the song you picked is locked in like the one regrettable tattoo you got on spring break. Why, you ask? Good question, and one we’d all like to be answered! Until TikTok changes its ways (don’t hold your breath), here are your options.
Option 1: The Delete and Repost Dance
Yes, this is just as annoying as it sounds. But if you’re dead set on that new song, the most straightforward solution is to delete the original video and start fresh. Here’s how to do it:
Delete the Original Video - Go to your profile, find the video, hit the three dots, and tap “Delete.” Goodbye, views, likes, and comments. You’re breaking up with this video like it’s your ex’s hoodie: cutthroat, necessary, and slightly painful.
Repost with the New Sound - Now, go through the whole process of uploading your masterpiece again, but this time, pick the right song.
Yes, you’re starting from scratch with likes, comments, and shares. And yes, it’s ridiculous that we’re even talking about this in 2023. But such is life in the TikTok kingdom.
Option 2: Slap a New Sound Over the Old One
Maybe the song choice wasn’t that bad, but you still want to add some pizzazz. Here’s a workaround that doesn’t involve deleting anything:
Download Your Original Video - Go to the original video and hit “Save Video.” This gives you a copy in your camera roll, but be warned: it’ll come with that lovely TikTok watermark.
Upload the Video as a New Post - When you’re uploading, you’ll have the option to add a different sound. Choose your new, improved song, and voilà—you’ve got a remix of sorts! It’s like covering your old mistake with a layer of icing. Is it perfect? No. Will it fool everyone? Maybe.
Explain Yourself in the Captions - If you’re committed to this new sound, use the captions to explain to your followers why they’re watching basically the same video twice. Try not to sound too desperate.
Option 3: Add Some Background Noise (Or Your Own Voice)
Maybe you want a song to set the mood but don’t need it front and center. You can add some background music or a voiceover after posting, which is a sneaky way to “edit” your video without deleting it.
Use the “Add Sound” Feature - Go to your video, click on the three dots, and select “Add Sound.” Choose a song that fits better, or record yourself talking over the video (try not to sound too bitter about the limitations).
Adjust the Volume - Set your original sound at a lower volume and let the new audio dominate. Now you’ve got a two-sound mash-up happening, and while it’s not as good as a clean edit, it does give you a little bit more control.
Option 4: Move On and Pray for a TikTok Update
At this point, your best option might just be to make peace with your soundtrack choices. TikTok hasn’t given us a post-upload editing option yet, but here’s hoping for some mercy in future updates. In the meantime, take this as a learning experience: triple-check that song before you hit “Post.”
In Conclusion: Pick Wisely
There you have it—your mildly inconvenient options for changing a song after you’ve posted on TikTok. Hopefully, TikTok will see this article and finally give us the basic editing features we desperately need. But until then, follow these steps and embrace the chaos.