How to add lyrics to an Instagram photo on iPhone

Start with the photo and the moment

Choose a photo with an area where type can sit without covering the subject. A portrait may work with a short line beside the face; a wide scene may leave more space for a larger card. Decide whether the song itself or the lyric is the focus. You do not need to include every detail in the same composition.

Build the lyrics photo in Glassy

1. Place your photo

   Create a composition or start from a template, then add your photo. Adjust its crop before positioning a card so the important part of the image has room.

2. Add a music or lyrics widget

   Choose a lyrics or music widget. Use the song picker where available, then edit the content and appearance in the layer controls. Use a short excerpt you have permission to share.

3. Style the card

   Adjust the type and placement to suit the photo. Try a Liquid Glass card if a translucent surface helps the text stand out, then check it against the lightest and busiest parts of the image.

4. Preview and export

   Check the full composition at phone size. Export the image, inspect it in Photos and select it when making your Instagram post. The app marks premium materials and export options that require Plus.

Make the words easy to read

• Use one short lyric as the main thought instead of several competing passages.
• Keep space between the card and the edges of the final crop.
• Move the card away from faces and details the viewer needs to see.
• On a carousel, keep a complete phrase on one slide unless the split is deliberate. Preview both slides before exporting.

A song card and a soundtrack are different

Glassy's music cards show song information as part of the design. They do not embed the recording. If you want music playback in an Instagram post, use a music option available in the publishing flow and check its permissions. Displaying artwork or lyrics does not itself grant rights to distribute them. Review what you plan to share before posting.

If a card is not what you expected

Check the widget type and the available content in its picker first. Then edit the layer controls and preview the actual export. A visual song card, a lyric layout and a soundtrack serve different purposes; choose the one that matches the final post.