To build a music slideshow on Facebook, create a Reel from photos, add a track via the Audio Library or Sound Collection, trim, set a cover, and post.
What You’ll Learn And Why It Matters
Photo reels with sound grab attention fast, load smoothly, and fit the way Facebook now distributes video. You’ll learn two reliable workflows: the Facebook app on a phone and Meta’s desktop tools. You’ll also get clear rules for music rights, export settings, and posting tips that raise completion rates and watch time.
Making A Facebook Photo Slideshow With Music: Step-By-Step
This method uses the Facebook app on iPhone or Android. It turns a folder of pictures into a short Reel with a synced soundtrack. The flow is quick and friendly once you’ve done it once.
Prep Your Assets
Create a tight set of 8–20 images that tell one story. Mix wides and portraits, avoid heavy filters, and keep faces bright. If you plan text slides, use large fonts and high contrast. Put all files in one album so you can grab them at speed.
Build The Slideshow In The Facebook App
- Open Facebook, tap Create then Reel.
- Tap the gallery picker and choose your photos in order. Long-press to reorder if needed.
- Tap Audio. Search for a song or use a saved track. You can also pick sound from the Facebook Sound Collection for safe, rights-cleared music.
- Trim the clip or move the music slider to land your beats on key moments. Short cuts keep viewers watching.
- Add text, stickers, or speed changes. Keep overlays brief so they don’t block faces or titles.
- Tap Cover and choose a frame or upload a cover image sized for mobile. Add a short title that matches the post caption.
- Set privacy, tag a location if it helps context, and post.
Mobile Timing Tips
Keep the total length between 10 and 30 seconds for most stories. Hold each still for 0.7–1.5 seconds. Let the first two images carry the hook. If you use text on the opener, leave it on screen for at least two beats so slower readers can catch it.
Quick Method Comparison
Pick the path that fits your goal and gear today.
| Method | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook App (Reel) | Fast selection, built-in music, simple trims | Quick updates, personal profiles |
| Business Suite (Desktop) | Scheduling, file management, captions at scale | Pages, campaigns, teams |
| External Editor + Upload | Full control over timing and typography | Polished promos, brand kits |
Create A Music Slideshow On Desktop With Meta Business Suite
Desktop brings a bigger canvas and easy scheduling. You can upload a set of shots, line them up as a video, attach an audio track, and publish to a Page. Meta confirms that Reels can be created from photos on desktop inside Business Suite, which makes bulk posting and planning simple.
Fast Desktop Workflow
- Open Meta Business Suite on desktop and choose your Page.
- Click Create → Reel.
- Upload your photo set. Drag to order them. Add short cross-fades if offered.
- Click Audio and pick a track. If you need cleared music for a monetized Page, stick to Meta’s Sound Collection.
- Add captions, choose a cover, and schedule or publish. You can learn more about creating and scheduling Reels on desktop in Meta’s Business Suite guide.
Music Rights Without Headaches
Sound brings a slideshow to life, but rights can trip you up. Use tracks that are cleared for your use case. Inside the Reel editor, the Audio Library offers popular clips for personal sharing. For business Pages or monetized content, pick tracks from Meta’s cleared pool to avoid mutes or claims. Meta’s help article on adding audio to Reels shows where to pick music inside the editor; see the section on the Audio Library for details.
When To Use Meta’s Sound Collection
Choose Sound Collection when you need predictable clearance across regions and long-term safety for ads or branded posts. The library is free, searchable by mood and length, and designed for Facebook and Instagram videos. If you like a track, download it to edit with a third-party tool, or attach it inside Business Suite where available.
What About Popular Songs?
Popular tracks are tempting. On a personal profile, short clips may be allowed inside the in-app editor. On many Pages, those same clips can trigger limits. If a track matters to the story and your Page is brand-linked, aim for a licensed cut from Sound Collection or a properly licensed source.
Step-By-Step: Pro Timeline In A Third-Party Editor
If you want precise pacing, an editor gives you more room. You still post the finished video to Facebook as a Reel. Here’s a lightweight recipe that works on Mac, Windows, or mobile apps like CapCut or VN.
Project Setup
- Start a 1080×1920 vertical project at 30 fps.
- Drop the music first. Set the in-point where the hook lands.
- Add your stills on the main track and cut to beats. Use 2–4 frame trims to lock the feel.
- Limit transitions to quick cross-fades or none at all. Motion comes from the cuts.
- Add one line of text per idea. Keep margins thick for the on-screen caption zone.
- Export as MP4, H.264, high bitrate. Keep file size under 100 MB for easy uploads.
Upload The Finished Video
Post from the Facebook app or Business Suite. On mobile, create a Reel and pick your exported clip. Leave the audio track as is, or set mix to clip audio only to avoid stacking tracks. Add a cover, a short caption, and publish.
Hook, Story, Payoff: A Simple Creative Plan
An effective slideshow lands a hook in the first two seconds, keeps a clear thread, and pays off with a neat final image. Here’s a quick plan you can reuse across topics.
Hook Ideas That Fit Slideshows
- Before → after sequence with a sharp contrast.
- Count-down from five pictures to one winner.
- Flash the end result first, then rewind through the steps.
Keep The Pace Tight
Short holds beat long drifts. Trim any still that doesn’t move the story. If a beat runs long, add a push-in keyframe or split the image to match the rhythm.
Design For Silent Starts
Many viewers start muted for a split second. Use the opener to explain the topic with a few words. Then let the song carry the mood once sound kicks in.
Posting Settings That Boost Completion
Small tweaks at publish time help the slideshow reach the right eyes. These settings take seconds and pay off fast.
Cover And Caption
Pick a frame with a clear subject and minimal clutter. Avoid tiny text. In the caption, lead with the value and a nudge to watch to the end. Keep hashtags lean and specific.
Length And Loop
Stay inside 10–30 seconds when you can. A tidy loop wins replay taps. Land the last frame on the same angle as the first, or fade to the opener’s color field.
Tagging And Location
Tag people who appear and brands that matter to the story. Use a location when it adds context. Skip tags that aren’t relevant.
Troubleshooting: Common Hurdles And Fixes
Things go wrong. Here are the typical snags and quick fixes.
Music Is Unavailable
Some songs don’t appear in every region or on every Page type. Swap to a track from Sound Collection or upload your cut with music baked in. If a claim hits, switch tracks and repost.
Images Look Soft Or Grainy
Start from originals, not screenshots. Export at 1080×1920. Avoid heavy cropping on faces. If grain shows, add a light sharpen at export and keep the bitrate healthy.
Text Gets Cropped
Keep titles inside a safe area centered on screen. Leave headroom for in-app captions and buttons. Test on your phone before posting to a Page.
Specs, Targets, And A Handy Checklist
Use this table to move fast without guesswork. It keeps assets consistent across teams and sessions.
| Asset | Recommended Specs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canvas | 1080×1920, 30 fps | Vertical, safe on phones |
| Length | 10–30 s | Short and punchy |
| Music | Track from Audio Library or Sound Collection | Safer for Pages |
| Stills | 1200 px tall or more | Use originals |
| Captions | One hook line | Keep text large |
| Export | MP4, H.264 | High bitrate, under 100 MB |
Smart Workflow For Repeats
Save a template project with safe margins, a caption starter, and a few timed still slots. Keep a folder of covers sized for mobile. Maintain a shortlist of tracks that fit your brand tone, split by mood and tempo. With those pieces in place, a new slideshow takes minutes, not hours.
When A Slideshow Beats A Video Montage
Stills leave room for clean titles and crisp pauses that show detail. They load fast on weak data and give you more control over framing. If you have a set of product angles, a quick tutorial, or a recap, a slideshow can land the point with less noise.
Ethical And Brand-Safe Music Choices
Use music from sources that respect artists and match your use case. The safest path inside Facebook tools is the Audio Library for personal sharing and the Sound Collection for Pages and monetized posts. If you license tracks elsewhere, file the proof and keep it handy.
Bring It All Together
Pick your workflow, prep a tight set of images, and let the track shape the rhythm. Lead with a bold opener, keep the pace brisk, and land on a clean payoff frame. With the Facebook app or Business Suite, you can ship a music slideshow that looks sharp, sounds clean, and earns replays.