How to add a voiceover to your Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels is one of the most popular ways for creators to connect with their audience. With over two billion monthly active users worldwide, Instagram was once a photo-sharing platform but has long since morphed into a video platform with the launch of Reels in 2020. The feature was introduced to compete with TikTok and in nearly four years since its launch, Instagram has become the strongest rival to TikTok globally.

The popularity of Instagram Reels is not only driven by its resemblance to TikTok, which is banned in markets like India, but also by the long list of features. It helps that Instagram is owned by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and others. This expands the reach of the platform even further. If you are looking to post on Instagram Reels and wondering how to add voiceover to your Instagram Reels then you have come to the right place.

How to add a voiceover to your Reels

Instagram Reels is a creative opportunity to reach 2.35 billion monthly active users but that reach largely depends on content and quality. A study showed that 28 per cent of people rated good production value as essential to reach consumers. One of the ways to make your Instagram Reels to not only stand out but also your own is to use voiceover.

ALSO READ: Top Instagram Reels tips and tricks you need to know

A voiceover is a production technique where a voice is recorded for off-screen use. It is usually read from a script, and it is often to make your content more engaging. On Instagram Reels, it is relatively easy to add a voiceover in Reels if you follow the steps mentioned below.

How to add voiceover in Reels on an Android phone

Step 1: Record a video for your reel or select a video from your Android smartphone‘s gallery. 

Step 2: Click on Edit video at the bottom. 

Step 3: Now, scroll to find Voiceover at the bottom. 

Step 4: Tap and hold to record audio over the video. 

Step 5: Tap Done to finish and share your reel

How to add voiceover in Reels on an iPhone:

Step 1: You can either record a video for your reel or select a new video from the Photos app on your iPhone. 

Step 2: Tap Edit video at the bottom. 

Step 3: You will see a list of options at the bottom. Find Voiceover. 

Step 4: To record audio over the video, tap and hold. 

Step 5: Tap Done to finish and share your reel. 

Voiceovers on Instagram Reels: Limitations to know

The first thing to know is that Instagram Reels is limited to 90-seconds so you cannot narrate a story longer than 90 seconds. The ability to record voiceover to your reel on Instagram is not available on the web and can only be done on Android or iPhone. Audio plays a crucial role on Instagram Reels and is often a contention for copyright.

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If your Reels includes licensed audio or original audio from another Reels creator, then Instagram notes that only your voiceover will be attributed to you. However, for Reels with your original audio only, Instagram will create an audio page for your reel with your voiceover attributed to you. In other words, your original voiceover will be attributed to you even if used by another Reels creator.