Change iPhone Memories Soundtracks & Filters

This guide shows you how to swap the music and photo filters in your iPhone’s Memories videos, so each slideshow feels exactly the way you want. You’ll learn to change the soundtrack to a song from your library, adjust the filter for a different mood, and even tweak the duration of each clip. No special apps or skills are needed—everything happens right in the Photos app.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (the steps are the same on iPadOS for iPad).
• The Photos app with at least one Memory already created (Photos makes these automatically from your library).
• A song in your Apple Music or iTunes library if you want to use a specific track—otherwise you can pick from the built-in suggestions.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Photos app on your iPhone. Tap the For You tab at the bottom of the screen (on iPad, it’s in the sidebar).
2. Find the Memory you want to edit. Memories appear as cards with a preview image. Tap the card to open it, then tap the Play button to watch it once so you know what you’re changing.
3. Tap the screen while the Memory is playing (or after it finishes) to bring up the controls. You’ll see a pause button and a screen with a music note icon at the bottom—tap that icon. It might also say “Edit” or show a slider icon depending on your iOS version.
4. Tap “Edit” in the menu that appears. This opens the Memory editing screen, which shows a timeline of the clips and a preview window.
5. Change the soundtrack: At the bottom of the editing screen, tap the Music button (it looks like a music note). You’ll see a list of suggested songs from Apple Music, plus a “My Music” option. Tap My Music to browse your library, or tap a suggested track to preview it. Once you find the one you like, tap it to select it. The preview will start playing with the new music.
6. Adjust the filter: Tap the Filter button (it looks like three overlapping circles or a funnel icon) at the bottom of the editing screen. You’ll see a row of filter thumbnails like Vivid, Dramatic, Black & White, and Warm. Tap each one to preview it on your Memory. Choose the one that fits the mood you want.
7. Fine-tune the clip length (optional): On the editing screen, you’ll see a timeline of your photos and videos at the bottom. Drag the handles at either end of a clip to make it shorter or longer. You can also tap a clip to select it and then use the slider that appears to adjust its duration. This lets you sync the visuals better with the music.
8. Preview your changes: Tap the Play button in the preview window to watch the Memory with your new music and filter. Make sure it feels right.
9. Save your edits: Tap Done in the top-right corner. Your changes are saved automatically. The Memory will now play with the new soundtrack and filter whenever you view it.

Common Mistakes

• Not tapping the screen first: If you don’t tap the playing Memory, the edit icon won’t appear. Always tap the video to bring up the controls.
• Choosing a song that’s not downloaded: If you pick a song from Apple Music that isn’t downloaded to your device, the Memory might not play it offline. Make sure the track is downloaded (look for the download arrow next to it in your library).
• Forgetting to save: If you tap the back arrow or swipe away without hitting Done, your changes might not stick. Always tap Done.
• Overusing filters: A heavy filter like Black & White can make photos look washed out if the original was very colorful. Preview the whole Memory, not just one clip.

Tips

• Use the “Magic” button: In the Music section, there’s often a Magic option that automatically picks a song that matches the length and mood of your Memory. It’s a great starting point.
• Match the filter to the occasion: For a beach vacation, try Vivid to make colors pop. For a rainy-day memory, Dramatic or Black & White can add a moody feel.
• Trim the soundtrack: If the song is too long, you can’t trim it directly, but you can shorten the Memory by removing clips or shortening their duration. The music will fade out at the end.
• Duplicate before editing: If you’re unsure about changes, you can’t duplicate a Memory directly, but you can create a new Memory from the same photos and edit that one instead, keeping the original intact.

Troubleshooting

• Music won’t change: Make sure you’re in the editing screen (not just the playback screen). If the Music button is grayed out, close the Memory and reopen it, then try again.
• My Music is empty: If you don’t see your songs, check that you have music in your library (open the Music app). If you use Apple Music, make sure you’re signed in and the songs are downloaded.
• Filter changes don’t apply: Sometimes the preview doesn’t update immediately. Tap a different filter, then tap back to the one you want. If that fails, restart the Photos app.
• Edits disappear after closing: This usually happens if you didn’t tap Done before leaving. Go back into the Memory, make your changes again, and tap Done.
• Memory plays with no sound: Check that your iPhone’s mute switch is off (the switch on the side of the phone). Also, make sure the volume is turned up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any song from my Apple Music library?

Yes, as long as the song is available in your library and downloaded to your device, you can use it. Songs that are only streamed may work if you have an internet connection, but it’s safer to download them first.

Can I change the order of photos in a Memory?

Not directly in the Memory editor. The order is automatically chosen by the Photos app based on dates and faces. You can, however, create a new Memory with a specific selection of photos in the order you want by selecting them and choosing “Create Memory” from the share sheet.

Will my changes affect the original photos?

No, editing a Memory only changes the slideshow presentation. Your original photos and videos remain untouched.

Can I revert to the original soundtrack and filter?

Yes, go back into the Memory editor, tap Music and choose the original suggested track, and tap Filter and select “None” (if available) or the original filter. You can also tap “Reset” in the editing screen if your iOS version has it.

Why can’t I find the edit button?

The edit button only appears when you tap the playing Memory. Make sure you’re viewing the Memory full screen and tap anywhere on the video to bring up the controls.

Can I edit a Memory on my Mac or iPad?

Yes, the same steps work on iPadOS. On a Mac, open the Memory in the Photos app, click the Edit button in the top-right corner, and you’ll have similar options for music and filter.

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