Reposting a story on Instagram requires using the “Add to Story” feature from the original poster’s share menu. This guide will show you exactly how to repost a story on Instagram, step by step, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device.
Instagram stories disappear after 24 hours, but reposting lets you share someone else’s content with your own followers. It’s a great way to engage with friends, promote collaborations, or share user-generated content.
How To Repost A Story On Instagram
There are two main ways to repost a story: using the built-in “Add to Story” feature or using a third-party app. The official method is simpler and safer, so we’ll cover that first.
Method 1: Using The Built-In “Add To Story” Feature
This is the easiest and most reliable method. It works when the original poster has allowed sharing in their story settings.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone.
- Go to your feed or the story tray at the top of the screen.
- Tap on the story you want to repost. It will play automatically.
- Look for the paper airplane icon (share icon) at the bottom right of the story.
- Tap that icon. A menu will appear with options.
- Select “Add story to your story” from the menu.
- The story will open in your own story editor. You can add text, stickers, or drawings.
- Tap “Your story” at the bottom to post it.
That’s it. The reposted story will appear on your profile for 24 hours. Your followers will see it in their story feed.
Method 2: Using The Direct Message Method
Sometimes the share icon doesn’t show up. This can happen if the poster has disabled sharing. In that case, you can use a workaround.
- Open the story you want to repost.
- Tap the paper airplane icon at the bottom right.
- Select “Send as message” and send it to yourself.
- Open the direct message thread with yourself.
- Tap on the story preview in the chat.
- Take a screenshot of the story (on iPhone, press side button + volume up; on Android, press power + volume down).
- Go to your story editor by tapping your profile picture in the story tray.
- Upload the screenshot from your camera roll.
- Add any edits you want, then post to your story.
This method works, but the quality might be slightly lower because it’s a screenshot. Also, the original poster might not appreciate it if they’ve disabled sharing.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Apps
There are apps like Repost for Instagram, Story Saver, or Inflact that let you repost stories. These apps usually require you to copy the story link and paste it into the app.
- Download a reposting app from your app store.
- Open Instagram and find the story you want to repost.
- Tap the three dots (menu) on the story and select “Copy link.”
- Open the reposting app and paste the link.
- The app will download the story to your phone.
- Open Instagram and upload the downloaded file to your story.
Be careful with third-party apps. Some can compromise your account security or violate Instagram’s terms. Only use trusted apps with good reviews.
Why You Might Not See The “Add To Story” Option
If the share icon is missing or grayed out, here are common reasons:
- The original poster has disabled story sharing in their privacy settings.
- The story is from a private account you don’t follow.
- The story is from a business or creator account with restricted sharing.
- Instagram’s servers are having a glitch.
You can’t force the option to appear. If it’s not there, you’ll need to use the screenshot method or ask the poster to enable sharing.
How To Enable Sharing On Your Own Stories
If you want others to repost your stories, you need to allow sharing. Here’s how:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines (menu) at the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Scroll down to “Who can repost your stories.”
- Choose “Everyone” or “People you follow.”
- If you select “Off,” no one can repost your stories.
Keep in mind that even with sharing enabled, people can still screenshot your stories. There’s no way to prevent that entirely.
Best Practices For Reposting Stories
Reposting someone else’s content comes with etiquette rules. Follow these to stay respectful and avoid issues.
Always Give Credit
When you repost a story, the original poster’s username appears automatically at the top. Don’t remove it. If you use a screenshot method, manually tag the original poster in your story.
Ask Permission First
For personal stories, it’s polite to ask before reposting. For public figures or brands, it’s usually fine as long as you credit them.
Don’t Edit The Original Content
Adding your own stickers or text is okay, but don’t crop or alter the original story in a way that changes its meaning.
Respect Privacy
Don’t repost stories that show private information, like addresses or phone numbers. Also avoid reposting sensitive content without consent.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes reposting doesn’t work as expected. Here are fixes for common problems.
The “Add To Story” Option Is Missing
Try these steps:
- Refresh the app by closing and reopening it.
- Check if the story is still active (stories expire after 24 hours).
- Make sure you’re following the original poster.
- Update Instagram to the latest version.
The Story Won’t Upload
If the story fails to upload after reposting:
- Check your internet connection.
- Reduce the file size by trimming the story.
- Restart your phone.
- Clear the Instagram app cache.
The Quality Is Poor
Screenshots often reduce quality. To improve this:
- Use the built-in “Add to Story” feature instead of screenshots.
- If using a third-party app, choose one that downloads in original quality.
- Make sure your phone’s screen brightness is high when taking screenshots.
Reposting Stories From Business Or Creator Accounts
Business and creator accounts have different sharing settings. Many brands allow reposting to encourage user-generated content.
To repost from a business account:
- Open the story from the business.
- Tap the share icon if it’s visible.
- Select “Add story to your story.”
- Add your own commentary or tag the business.
Some businesses use branded content tags. If you see one, you can tap it to see if reposting is allowed.
What To Do If A Business Account Has Sharing Disabled
If the share icon is missing, you can still repost by:
- Taking a screenshot and uploading it.
- Using a third-party app to download the story.
- Contacting the business directly and asking for permission.
Be aware that some businesses monitor reposts and may ask you to remove content if you don’t have permission.
Reposting Stories From Private Accounts
Private accounts have stricter privacy. You can only repost their stories if they follow you back or have allowed sharing.
If you’re friends with the person, ask them to enable sharing temporarily. Otherwise, you can’t repost their stories without their consent.
Never screenshot or download stories from private accounts without permission. It violates Instagram’s terms and could get your account suspended.
Using Instagram’s “Close Friends” Feature For Reposts
You can repost stories to your “Close Friends” list instead of all followers. This is useful for sharing content with a smaller group.
- Follow the steps to repost a story normally.
- In the story editor, tap the green star icon at the bottom left.
- Select “Close Friends” instead of “Your story.”
- Post the story.
Only your close friends will see the reposted story. This is great for sharing personal content or testing reposts before sharing widely.
How To Repost Stories On Instagram Web
Instagram’s web version doesn’t have the “Add to Story” feature. You can’t repost stories directly from a computer.
However, you can use these workarounds:
- Open Instagram on your phone and use the mobile app.
- Use an Android emulator on your computer to run the Instagram app.
- Take a screenshot on your phone and transfer it to your computer, then upload it via the web version.
The mobile app is the best option for reposting stories. The web version is limited for this task.
Reposting Stories With Music Or Polls
Some stories include music, polls, or quizzes. When you repost them, these interactive elements may not work.
Music from Instagram’s library usually plays when you repost. But if the music is from a third-party source, it might be muted.
Polls and quizzes become static images when reposted. Your followers can’t interact with them. You’ll need to create your own polls if you want engagement.
How To Handle Music Issues
If the music doesn’t play after reposting:
- Check if the original poster used licensed music.
- Try adding your own music from Instagram’s library.
- Use a third-party app to download the story with audio.
Some music is region-locked. If you’re in a different country, the audio might not work.
Reposting Stories From Multiple Accounts
If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you can repost stories from one account to another. This is common for businesses or influencers.
- Log into the account that owns the story.
- Open the story and tap the share icon.
- Select “Add story to your story.”
- In the story editor, tap your profile picture at the top left.
- Switch to the other account.
- Post the story from that account.
This method works if both accounts are logged into the same device. You can also use third-party scheduling tools for cross-posting.
How To Repost Old Stories
Instagram stories expire after 24 hours, but you can repost them if they’re saved in your archive or highlights.
To repost an old story:
- Go to your profile and tap the archive icon (clock) at the top right.
- Select “Stories archive.”
- Find the story you want to repost.
- Tap the three dots on the story.
- Select “Share to story.”
- Edit and post it.
This only works for your own stories. You can’t repost someone else’s old stories unless they’ve saved them to highlights.
Reposting From Highlights
If a user has saved a story to their highlights, you can repost it like a regular story.
- Go to the user’s profile and tap on their highlight.
- Play the story you want to repost.
- Tap the share icon and select “Add story to your story.”
- Post it.
Highlights don’t expire, so you can repost them anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Repost A Story If The Original Poster Has Sharing Disabled?
No, you can’t use the built-in feature. You can take a screenshot or use a third-party app, but this may violate Instagram’s terms. Always ask for permission first.
Will The Original Poster Know I Reposted Their Story?
Yes, Instagram notifies the original poster when you use the “Add to Story” feature. They’ll see your username in their story views.
How Do I Repost A Story Without The Share Icon?
You can send the story to yourself via direct message, take a screenshot, and upload it to your story. Or use a third-party app to download it.
Can I Repost A Story From A Private Account?
Only if you follow each other and the poster has allowed sharing. Otherwise, you can’t repost their content legally.
Why Does My Reposted Story Have Low Quality?
Screenshots reduce quality. Use the built-in “Add to Story” feature for the best results. Third-party apps may also compress the file.
Final Tips For Reposting Stories
Reposting stories is a simple way to share content, but it requires respect for the original creator. Always credit them, ask permission when needed, and avoid altering their work.
If you’re reposting for business purposes, consider creating a branded hashtag so users can submit their own stories for you to repost. This builds community and provides authentic content.
Test the “Add to Story” feature on different accounts to see how it works. Some accounts have sharing enabled by default, while others don’t. Knowing the difference saves time.
Remember that stories are temporary. If you want to keep a reposted story for longer, save it to your highlights after posting.
With these steps, you now know how to repost a story on Instagram using multiple methods. Practice on your own stories first to get comfortable with the process.