You’re scrolling Reels, a song catches your ear, and the Reel ends before you catch the name. It happens to everyone. The good news is that finding the song usually takes less than a minute. Here are the methods that work best, starting with the easiest.
1. Check the audio label on the Reel
Most Reels show the audio name at the bottom of the screen, next to a small music note. It usually reads like “Song name · Artist”. Tap it to open the audio page, where you’ll see the full title, the artist and other Reels that use the same sound.
If the label says Original audio, the creator uploaded their own sound. It might still contain a song, but Instagram doesn’t know which one. Try one of the methods below.
2. Read the caption and comments
Creators often name the song in the caption or pin a comment with it. If not, scroll through the comments. On popular Reels, someone has usually asked “song name?” and someone else has answered.
3. Use a music recognition app
Shazam and the “Search a song” feature in the Google app can identify most songs in a few seconds:
- Open Shazam, or open the Google app, tap the microphone and choose Search a song.
- Play the Reel with the volume up.
- Hold the phone near the speaker, or play the Reel on a second device.
On iPhone, you can add Music Recognition to Control Center and identify a song without leaving Instagram. On Android, Shazam can recognise music that is playing in other apps on the same phone.
4. Save the audio and identify it later
No time right now? Save the sound. In Instagram, tap the audio name and choose Save audio. You’ll find it later in the Saved section of your profile.
You can also keep the sound as an MP3: download Instagram audio with our free tool. Paste the Reel link, download the MP3 and run it through a music recognition app whenever you like. Having the file also helps if the Reel is deleted later.
Why some songs can’t be found
Recognition apps sometimes fail when a song is sped up, slowed down, remixed or partly covered by someone talking. Try a part of the Reel where the music is clearest. If that doesn’t work, search for a line of the lyrics in quotes on Google.
Next time a Reel sound gets stuck in your head, start with the audio label, then the comments, then a recognition app. One of them almost always works.