Someone tagged you in their story. Or maybe you saw a post you love and want to share it with your followers. Either way, knowing how to repost a story on Instagram is something you'll want to get right. This guide walks through every method clearly, from the official way to a few helpful workarounds.
Can You Repost Any Story on Instagram?
Not quite. Instagram only allows you to repost a story in two situations:
- The person tagged you in their story — you'll get an option to share it to your own story.
- You're using a third-party app or screenshot method for stories you weren't tagged in.
Let's go through both, starting with the official method.
If someone tags you in their Instagram story, you'll receive a direct message notification. Open that DM, tap "Add to your story," customize it if you want, and hit "Share." Your followers will then see the reposted story. If you weren't tagged, you can screenshot the story and re-upload it manually, but always ask for permission first.
How to Repost a Story on Instagram When You're Tagged
This is the cleanest and easiest method. When someone mentions or tags you in their story, here's what to do:
- Open Instagram and go to your Direct Messages (the paper plane icon).
- You'll see a message notification that says something like "[Username] mentioned you in their story."
- Open that message.
- You'll see a preview of their story with a button that says "Add to your story."
- Tap it. The story opens in the Instagram story editor.
- You can resize it, move it around, add text, stickers, or GIFs.
- When you're happy with it, tap Your Story to post.
That's the official repost. Their story will show on your story with a sticker that links back to their original post. Your followers can tap that sticker to visit the original.
What If the Option Isn't Showing?
Sometimes the "Add to your story" button doesn't appear. Here are the reasons that can happen:
- The person has a private account. Instagram won't let you reshare content from private accounts even if they tagged you.
- The person turned off resharing in their story settings. They can block people from adding their stories to theirs.
- The story has already expired (stories last 24 hours). Once it's gone, the reshare option goes too.
- Your app needs an update.
If it's not showing, check these things first before assuming it's broken.
How to Repost Someone's Story You Weren't Tagged In
What if you want to share a story but they didn't tag you? Instagram doesn't have a built-in way to do this. Here are your options:
Option 1: Screenshot and Re-upload
This is the most common workaround. Here's how:
- Open the story you want to repost.
- Take a screenshot on your phone.
- Go back to Instagram and create a new Story.
- Upload the screenshot from your camera roll.
- Add text, stickers, or credit the original creator. This is important — always tag the original account.
- Post your story.
Important: Always get permission before reposting someone's content. Just because you can doesn't mean you should without asking. A quick DM saying "Hey, can I reshare this?" goes a long way.
Option 2: Use Instagram's Repost Feature (for Feed Posts)
Instagram has been testing a native repost button for regular feed posts. If you see a paper airplane icon under a post with a "Repost" option, you can use that to share it to your story or even your feed. This feature is still rolling out, so not everyone has it yet.
Option 3: Third-Party Apps
There are apps like Reposta or Repost for Instagram that let you reshare content. They work by pulling the media and letting you re-upload it. Use these carefully:
- Always credit the original creator.
- Only repost public content.
- Be aware that these apps may not always be secure — check reviews carefully before giving any app access to your Instagram account.
How to Repost a Reel on Instagram
Reposting a Reel is a little different from reposting a story. Here's how to repost a Reel on Instagram:
- Open the Reel you want to share.
- Tap the paper airplane icon (share button) below the Reel.
- You'll see options: Add to your story, Send to friends, or Repost (if the option is available).
- Tap Add to your story to share the Reel as a Story.
- Or tap Repost to share it to your own profile grid with credit to the original creator.
Not every Reel will have the Repost option. If the creator has turned off resharing, you won't see it.
What Does Repost Mean on Instagram?
A repost simply means sharing someone else's content on your own account. Instagram has several ways this can happen:
- Story reshare — sharing someone's story to your own story (they must have tagged you or allowed resharing).
- Reel repost — sharing a Reel to your own feed or story.
- Feed post repost — sharing a feed post to your story (via the paper airplane icon) or reposting it to your grid.
In all cases, Instagram shows a credit label linking back to the original creator. This is different from screenshotting and posting without credit, which can get your content removed or cause disputes.
How to See Reposts on Instagram
Want to know if someone reposted your content? Here's where to check:
- For stories: If someone reshared your story, you can see this in your story's viewer list. There's a small reshare icon next to the name of anyone who added your story to theirs.
- For Reels: Check your Reels analytics. Instagram shows how many times a Reel has been shared or reposted.
- For feed posts: You'll get a notification when someone adds your post to their story.
How to Stop People From Reposting Your Stories
If you'd rather keep your content from being shared by others, you can turn this off:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines.
- Go to Settings and privacy.
- Tap Stories.
- Find the option that says "Allow resharing to stories" and toggle it off.
After this, nobody will be able to add your stories to their own story, even if you tag them.
Tips for Reposting Stories Properly
- Always credit the original account. If you're screenshotting and re-uploading, tag them in your story.
- Ask before reposting. A quick DM first is the respectful thing to do for any content where the option isn't automatic.
- Don't crop out watermarks or tags. If someone's name is on the content, keep it there.
- Repost within the 24-hour window. For stories, the reshare option disappears once the original story expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I repost someone's story to my story?
There are a few reasons the option might not appear. The most common are: the person has a private account, they've disabled resharing in their story settings, or the story has expired (stories are only available for 24 hours). If none of these apply, try updating your Instagram app to the latest version and check again.
Can someone see if I repost their Instagram story?
If you use the official "Add to your story" feature after being tagged, yes — they'll see your name in their story's viewer list with a reshare indicator. If you screenshot their story and upload it manually without tagging them, they won't automatically know unless they happen to see your story. However, manually reposting without credit goes against Instagram's community guidelines.
How do I repost a Reel on Instagram to my own feed?
Tap the paper airplane (share) icon on the Reel, then look for the "Repost" option. If available, tap it and you can share it to your own feed with credit to the original creator shown automatically. If you only see "Add to story," you can share it to your story instead. The Repost to feed feature is still being rolled out, so not all accounts have it yet.
Is it okay to repost someone's Instagram story without asking?
When someone tags you in their story, Instagram gives you permission to reshare it — that's implied by the tag. But if you're reposting someone's content that wasn't directed at you, it's always better to ask first. A quick DM is all it takes. Most creators appreciate the engagement, but it's respectful to give them the choice.
Final Thoughts
Now you know exactly how to repost a story on Instagram — whether someone tagged you, or you're looking for a workaround. The built-in method is the cleanest and quickest. For everything else, a screenshot with proper credit works fine as long as you're being respectful of the original creator.
Reposting is a great way to engage with your community, celebrate friends, and share content you love. Just keep the etiquette in mind — tag the original account, get permission when needed, and your reposts will always land well.
