Have you ever gotten excited to use Instagram‘s music feature in your stories, only to see the dreadful "not available in your region" message?
I feel your pain. But don‘t worry – with the right VPN, you can access Instagram‘s entire music library no matter where you live.
Let me walk you through exactly why Instagram music has geographic restrictions, and how to get around them.
Why Instagram Music is Blocked in Certain Countries
Since launching in 2018, Instagram music has become a popular way to make stories more fun and engaging. The feature lets you add songs and soundtracks from Instagram‘s huge licensed music catalog.
With over 2 billion monthly active users, providing rights to this entire music library globally would be extremely expensive and complicated for Instagram.
According to a2022 industry report, licensing music rights remains highly complex even in the digital streaming era. Instagram currently only has rights to provide music in the following countries:
Countries With Instagram Music Access
| Country | Population* | Instagram Users* |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 332.4 million | 120 million |
| UK | 68.3 million | 26 million |
| Sweden | 10.4 million | 3 million |
| Germany | 83.2 million | 16 million |
| Australia | 25.5 million | 9.6 million |
| New Zealand | 4.8 million | 1.4 million |
| France | 65.4 million | 16.7 million |
*Estimated population and registered Instagram users in 2022
When you try to access Instagram music from a restricted country, you‘ll get an error saying “Music isn‘t available in your region.” This is based on the IP address location assigned by your internet provider.
But don‘t fret – you can bypass these frustrating geographic blocks with a VPN.
Access Instagram Music from Anywhere with a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) lets you change your IP address to appear as though you‘re accessing the internet from a different country. It essentially tricks Instagram into thinking you‘re located somewhere that has music access.
Here are the simple steps to use a VPN for unlocked Instagram music:
1. Choose a Fast, Reliable VPN
Choosing a top-rated VPN designed to bypass geographic restrictions is crucial. I recommend ExpressVPN for accessing Instagram music due to:
Ultra-fast speeds – Ensures smooth music streaming without annoying lag or buffering.
Media optimized servers – Excellent for streaming and unblocking sites like Instagram.
30-day money back guarantee – Lets you test it risk-free.
2. Connect to a Server in an Instagram Music Country
Once installed, open your VPN app and connect to a server located in the US, UK, or another country from the list above. This will give you an IP address from that area.
3. Reload Instagram to Unblock Music
With your VPN active, you can now open Instagram and access its full music catalog without any "not available in your region" messages. It works seamlessly.
4. Disconnect Your VPN When Done
Don‘t forget to disconnect your VPN app when you‘re finished using Instagram music. This releases the virtual IP address back to the VPN provider.
FAQs About Using VPNs for Instagram Music
Can I get in trouble for this?
No, accessing geo-blocked content with a personal VPN is perfectly legal in most countries. Many people use VPNs to bypass these types of restrictions.
Will a free VPN work?
I don‘t recommend free VPNs. Most lack the speed and reliability to smoothly stream music, and they could expose your data. Paid services like ExpressVPN offer the best experience.
What if I have technical issues?
Try these troubleshooting tips:
- Reconnect to a different VPN server location
- Restart your VPN and Instagram app
- Ensure your VPN is running in the background
- Double check Instagram Music is still available in your selected country
- Contact your VPN‘s customer support for help
Can I post Stories outside my home country?
Absolutely. Your followers will just see your Story content tagged with the virtual location from your connected VPN server.
Can I use a VPN on multiple devices?
Yes, most quality VPNs allow simultaneous connections on 5+ devices from apps across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, etc.
Key Takeaways
Accessing Instagram‘s music feature through a VPN provides:
- Unlimited music catalog, no matter where you physically are
- Freedom to post Stories with soundtracks for all your followers
- Avoidance of annoying "music not available in your region" messages
- Simple way around geographic music restrictions
Want to unlock world-wide social media freedom? A trusted VPN is essential. I recommend ExpressVPN for effortlessly accessing Instagram music worldwide.
So what are you waiting for? With just a few taps, you can start adding the perfect music to your Instagram Stories!
