How to Loop Video on Instagram Story: Boomerang & Music Guide
Alex Chen
July 16, 2025
Alex Chen
July 16, 2025
Using Instagram Features
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6 minutes read
Let's be real, in the endless scroll-fest that is Instagram, getting someone to pause for even a second is a win. Stories are a great type of content for engagement and your playground for grabbing that attention, but are you using all the tricks in the book?
Knowing how to make a short video loop on an Instagram story isn't just about adding a little razzle-dazzle to your feed. It's a strategic move. Short, looping videos, better known as the Instagram Boomerang, are designed to be sticky. They catch the eye, encourage a re-watch, and make your content more memorable in a sea of sameness.
So, whether you're trying to delight your friends or hook a customer, let's get you making content that sticks. Here’s the dead-simple, step-by-step guide.
Ready? It’ll take you less time than choosing a filter.
You know the drill. It's that little plus-shaped icon, probably in the top right corner of your app. Give it a tap to open the 'New Post' menu.
At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a menu with 'Post', 'Reels', 'Live', and 'Story'. Tap 'Story' to fire up the camera.
Look to the left of your screen. You'll see a column of icons. Find the one that looks like an infinity symbol (∞). That's your Boomerang. Tap it.
Now you have two choices: upload something from your camera roll or create a fresh loop. To record, just press and hold the record button (it has the Boomerang logo now). The longer you hold, the longer the video clip it will use for the loop.
This is where you add your magic. You've got the looping video, now fine-tune it. Use the options at the top of the screen to add text, throw in some GIFs, or draw something ridiculous.
Pro-Tip on Music: Want to know how to add music to your Instagram story loop? Tap the sticker icon (the square smiley face) and select the 'Music' sticker. You can search for pretty much any song to create the perfect vibe for your Boomerang music Instagram moment.
Once you're done editing, hit 'Next'. Now, decide on your audience. You can post it to your main Story for everyone to see, or share it just with your close friends. You can also just send it as a direct message to a specific person or group.
Depending on what you chose above, you'll either tap 'Share' or 'Send'. That's it. You're done.
Go check out your masterpiece. These little loops are perfect for creating engaging Instagram Highlights later on, where they can be saved for permanent viewing on your profile.
So, what the hell is a loop video on Instagram? Let's cut through the jargon. It's a short video snippet that plays over and over, and it's one of the easiest ways to make your Instagram Story less boring.
You know it as the Instagram Boomerang. For a while, it was its own separate app, but Instagram wisely sucked it into the main platform in 2022, saving us all from app-switching gymnastics.
And to answer the burning question: Yes, you absolutely can loop a video on Instagram. You no longer need to download some sketchy third-party app to get it done. It's all built right in.
A silent Boomerang is a missed opportunity. Adding a soundtrack is how you take a simple loop and turn it into a whole vibe. Instagram added the music feature back in 2018, and it's a game-changer for making your content pop.
But here's a pro-tip: According to recent data, the official Music sticker is only available in about 90 countries due to music licensing laws. If you don't see the sticker, that's why. Don't panic; you can still add boomerang music instagram style by using a video editor app before you upload.
For everyone else, here’s how to add music to your Instagram story loop for maximum effect.
First, follow the steps to create your Boomerang. Once it's recorded and you're on the editing screen, you're ready for the next step. You can also just select a Boomerang you've previously saved to your camera roll.
At the top of the editing screen, tap the sticker icon (the little square smiley face). This is the treasure chest where you can add locations, polls, hashtags, and of course, music.
You'll see it in the sticker tray. It's literally labeled 'MUSIC'. Give it a tap, and you'll open up Instagram's massive audio library.
This is the fun part. Instagram will suggest songs 'For You,' or you can browse by genre and mood. If you have a specific song in mind, just type it into the search bar at the top.
Don't just settle for the default. The right song tells a story.
Once you've picked your song, you're not stuck with the beginning. A timeline will appear at the bottom of the screen. Slide it back and forth to find the exact 5-15 second clip that matches the energy of your Boomerang.
Find that perfect beat drop or lyrical moment. That's how you create content that's not just seen, but felt. Once you're done, you can add it to your story or even feature it in your Instagram Highlights.
By design, your Instagram Story masterpiece has a fleeting, 24-hour lifespan. After a day, it vanishes into the digital ether, no longer viewable by your followers.
But some moments are too good to just let go. They deserve a permanent home.
This is where Instagram Highlights come in. Think of them as a curated gallery for your best moments, a way to give a lasting place to what feels temporary. You can’t make a story last longer than 24 hours, but you can save it to your Highlights, where it stays on your profile for as long as you want.
There are two ways to do this:
While the built-in Instagram Boomerang function is your most direct path, it’s not the only one. If you want to know how to make a short video loop on an Instagram story using other tricks, you’ve got options.
If you have an iPhone, you’ve got a secret loop-maker already in your pocket. Live Photos capture a few seconds of video around your picture, which Instagram can easily turn into a loop.
Here’s how:
Sure, you could venture into the App Store or Google Play and download one of the countless apps that promise to create loop videos. They exist.
But let’s be honest. Why clutter your phone and complicate your life? Instagram's built-in tools are powerful and streamlined. Boomerang stitches a burst of photos into a one-second video that plays forward and backward on repeat. And Reels offers even more editing power for short, looping content.
Using the native features is faster, keeps your device running smoothly, and saves you from having yet another app icon collecting dust on your screen.
In a world screaming for attention with over-the-top content, there's a quiet power in a perfect, simple loop. It’s a tiny moment of hypnotism, a digital wink that makes people pause, smile, and watch again.
By creating an Instagram Boomerang, you're doing more than just making a video repeat. You're crafting a moment that sticks. Whether you're making it for your friends, your fans, or your business, that little bit of creative effort is what bridges the gap and makes a real connection.
So take the steps we've walked through—from mastering the loop to knowing how to add music to your Instagram story—and start creating. Put your best work on display in your Instagram Highlights.
It's a small act, but it's how fantastic content is made. Now go make something cool.
While these strategies are proven to work, every account is unique. Get a personalized audit that analyzes your specific account data and provides tailored recommendations for growth and monetization.
When I'm not digging into analytics, you can usually find me rock climbing. I find there's a similar kind of clarity in solving a complex route.
