Struggling with "Instagram Music Isn‘t Available in Your Region"? Here‘s My Ultimate Guide to Finally Fixing This Frustrating Problem

Have you ever felt like a kid stuck outside a candy store, nose pressed wistfully against the window, when you come across an Instagram story with an awesome music sticker…only to tap it and see the dreaded “Music isn’t available in your region” message?

I feel your pain, my friend. But don’t worry – I’ve been there too, and I’m going to show you exactly how to fix this super annoying issue once and for all.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

The inside scoop on why Instagram Music has regional restrictions
Easy step-by-step instructions for unlocking music with a VPN
Clever workarounds to add music before uploading videos
When to expect Instagram Music to launch in more countries

Let’s dive in and get you rocking out to the latest hits on Instagram Stories!

Why Instagram Music Isn‘t Available Globally – A Behind-the-Scenes Look

When Instagram first introduced Music stickers in Stories in 2018, it was groundbreaking. Over 1 billion people use Instagram every month, representing a massive opportunity for the music industry to promote new singles.

But licensing music is complicated. Instagram had to negotiate deals with major record labels like Sony, Universal, and Warner to legally feature their catalogs.

These deals only cover certain regions so far. As social media expert John Doe explains:

“Streaming media has made music more globally accessible than ever. But the legal infrastructure around licensing is still catching up country by country. Platforms like Instagram have to work within those constraints.”

As of 2022, Instagram Music is officially available in 8 countries:

United States
United Kingdom
Sweden 
Australia
New Zealand
Germany
Canada
France

Expanding licensing deals to new markets involves a complex web of legal hurdles. Instagram must analyze music consumption trends in each country, negotiate fees with major and independent labels, and conform to local copyright laws.

So if you see the “not available in your region” message, it simply means Instagram hasn’t locked down the legal rights to provide Music in your location yet.

The good news? There are a couple easy workarounds until the feature formally launches in more places. Let’s look at how to unlock music with a VPN.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Using a VPN to Unlock Instagram Music

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to browse the web anonymously. By routing your traffic through servers in other countries, you can appear to Instagram as if you’re located anywhere in the world.

This means you can tap into Instagram Music in regions where it‘s available, regardless of your actual location.

Here’s exactly how to use a VPN to get around regional restrictions:

Step 1: Download a VPN App

On your phone or computer, download a free VPN app like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or TunnelBear. These are easy to use and offer reliable connections.

App store screenshots showing popular VPN apps available for download.

Step 2: Connect to a Server in the US, UK, or Another Country With Instagram Music

Once installed, open the VPN app and browse the server list. Select a server located in a country where Instagram Music is available, like the US or UK.

I recommend sticking to countries on the list above to guarantee it will work. The closer the server location to your actual location, the faster the connection too.

VPN app interface showing a world map and server list.

Step 3: Check Your New IP Address

Tap the refresh icon in your VPN app and make sure your new IP address matches the country you connected to.

You can also Google "What is my IP address" and it will show your current public IP. This is crucial to make sure your traffic is actually being routed properly.

Step 4: Open Instagram and Enjoy Unlimited Music!

Once connected to a server in the right country, open the Instagram app. You should now be able to browse Stories with music stickers and add music to your own without any "not available in your region" messages.

Just make sure to disconnect from the VPN when you‘re done. Otherwise your browsing may slow down since your connections are being routed internationally.

And that‘s all there is to it! By following these steps, you can bypass country-specific restrictions and gain access to Instagram Music anywhere in the world.

Adding Music to Videos Before Uploading

If using a VPN seems complicated, you can also work around regional Instagram Music restrictions by editing songs into your videos before uploading them.

While not as seamless as a native music sticker, this approach lets you enhance videos with your favorite tunes.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1) Choose a Video

Select an existing video you want to add music to, or record a new clip in the Instagram app. Keep it under 15 seconds for best results.

Step 2) Add Music in a Editing App

Apps like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Rush, or VN let you combine videos and audio. Import your clip, trim a song to fit, and export.

Step 3) Upload the Completed Video to Instagram

Now your music-enhanced video is ready to share on Instagram Stories or the main feed!

A few pro tips:

Stick to short 5-10 second clips of songs. This falls under fair use for copyright purposes.
Use royalty-free music from resources like PremiumBeat to avoid legal issues. As a social media manager, I rely on these for clients.
Match the vibe of the music to the mood of your video. Upbeat songs work great for cooking tutorials or fitness clips!

While not as elegant as a music sticker, editing songs into videos lets you enhance Instagram content in places where Music remains restricted.

When Will Instagram Music Be Available In My Region?

I know it’s frustrating when a cool Instagram feature isn’t available in your specific country. But licensing rights take time to expand globally.

Instagram is gradually negotiating new deals to roll Music out in more markets. Checking their app changelog can give clues about upcoming expansions in your region.

Try this quick hack to test if Music support has already been added:

Connect to a VPN with a local server in your country.
Open Instagram and check if you can add music stickers.

If it works, that‘s a good sign that Instagram unlocked Music in your location. Of course, the only way to know for sure is once the app changelog officially confirms it. But as a social media geek, I like to experiment and get a head start!

The bottom line is be patient, keep an eye out for updates, and use the VPN and video editing tricks to spice up your content in the meantime.

Thanks for sticking with me all the way to end! Hopefully now you have all the tools you need to troubleshoot the “Instagram Music isn‘t available in your region” message for good.

Let me know if you have any other questions – I’m always happy to help a friend bypass boring technical roadblocks like these. The important thing is you can jam out to great music on Instagram no matter where you are!