You repost an Instagram Story by opening the Story, tapping the share icon, and selecting "Add to Your Story."
What’s happening with reposting Stories?
Reposting Stories creates a new 24-hour Story that references the original post.
Here's the thing: when you repost an Instagram Story, you're not just copying it—you're creating a fresh 24-hour Story that automatically credits the original creator. Instagram treats this as a new Story rather than a direct share, which keeps the content temporary (as Stories should be) while still giving proper attribution. Honestly, this is one of Instagram's smarter moves—it lets creators amplify each other's work without losing that ephemeral feel that makes Stories so popular. The only catch? The original account owner must have sharing enabled in their privacy settings.
How do I actually repost an Instagram Story?
Open Instagram, find the Story, tap the share icon, then choose "Add to Your Story."
Start by opening the Instagram app on your phone. Now, here's where people often get stuck: you can't just swipe up on the Story you want to repost. Instead, either swipe right from your home feed or tap the profile picture in the top-left corner to find it. Once you've got the Story open, look at the bottom row of icons—you'll see a paper-airplane icon (that's the Share button, right next to the heart). Tap that, then scroll through the share options until you spot "Add to Your Story." Tap it, and boom—Instagram loads the Story into its editor. You can now add stickers, text, or drawings before hitting "Your Story" to publish. Easy, right? If you're new to this, you might also want to check out our guide on how to repost on Instagram for more details.
What if I only see "Copy Link" instead of "Add to Your Story"?
That means the account owner has disabled sharing—ask them to enable it in Settings > Privacy > Story.
If you're staring at a screen that only shows "Copy Link" and no repost option, the original creator has turned off sharing in their settings. Don't panic—just send them a direct message asking nicely to change it. They'll need to open Instagram, tap their profile picture (bottom right), then the three-lines menu (top right), followed by Settings > Privacy > Story. Under Story controls, they should toggle "Allow Sharing" to on. After saving, wait about 5–10 minutes for the change to sync, then refresh the app. If they're responsive, this usually takes care of the issue. Need help with this process? We have a full guide on how to copy and repost that covers similar scenarios.
Can I repost a Story that contains music or branded content?
No—Instagram blocks reposting for Stories with licensed music or branded visuals.
Even if the creator has sharing enabled, Instagram's algorithm will block reposts of Stories with copyrighted music or branded visuals (like logos or sponsored graphics). If you try, the "Add to Your Story" option will either be grayed out or missing entirely. Your only workaround? Share the raw image or video without the restricted elements. Want to include music or branded content? Try using Instagram's "Add Yours" sticker or tag the creator in your caption instead. It's not perfect, but it keeps you on the right side of Instagram's rules. For more on proper attribution, see our article on how to credit a picture.
What if the Story disappears before I can repost it?
You cannot repost it later—Stories vanish permanently after 24 hours.
Instagram Stories are designed to disappear after 24 hours, so once a Story is gone, it's gone for good. No archive, no recovery—even for verified accounts. If you see something worth sharing, act immediately. There's no "save for later" button here. If you're trying to save a Story for reposting, consider screen-recording it (we'll cover that in the alternative methods section) or asking the creator to send it via DM before it disappears. Pro tip: if you're working with a creator on a campaign, ask them to send you the Story in advance so you're not scrambling at the last minute. You might also find our guide on organizing visual content helpful for managing your saved media.
Is there a way to repost a Story without using Instagram's built-in feature?
Yes—you can screen-record the Story, ask for a DM forward, or use third-party apps.
If Instagram's repost feature isn't playing nice, don't worry—you've got options. First, try screen-recording the Story. On iPhones (running iOS 17 or later), swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and tap the screen-record button. On Android, swipe down twice and tap the screen-record icon. Once you've recorded it, trim the clip in your gallery app, then re-upload it to your Story with proper credit. Another method? Ask the sender to forward the Story to you via DM. Long-press the Story thumbnail in your DM thread, tap Forward, and select your username. If you're feeling adventurous, third-party apps like "Repost for Instagram" or "Story Repost" (available on both iOS and Android) can help, but use them cautiously to avoid violating Instagram's terms of service.
How do I set my own Stories to allow reposting?
Go to your profile, tap the three-lines menu, then Settings > Privacy > Story and enable "Allow Sharing."
Want to make it easy for others to repost your Stories? Adjust your privacy settings before posting. Open Instagram, tap your profile picture (bottom right), then the three-lines menu (top right). Go to Settings > Privacy > Story. Under "Sharing," toggle "Allow Sharing" to on. This setting ensures your Stories can be reposted by others, though they won’t be able to include licensed music or branded elements in their reposts. Just remember: enabling this means anyone can reshare your content, so only turn it on if you're comfortable with wider distribution. For more on content sharing best practices, check out our guide on visual content strategies.
What happens after I repost a Story?
Your repost appears as a new 24-hour Story that credits the original creator.
After you hit "Your Story," your repost goes live as a fresh 24-hour Story with a "Reposted" sticker that credits the original creator. Your followers will see it in their Stories feed, and if they tap the sticker, they'll be taken to the original post—great for driving traffic to the creator's profile. This feature is a win for cross-promotion, whether you're a creator collaborating with another creator or a business sharing user-generated content. Just note that the original Story might also appear in your followers' feeds if they're following the original creator too. If you're looking to maximize engagement with your reposts, consider our tips on reposting strategies.
Can I edit the Story before reposting it?
Yes—Instagram lets you add stickers, text, GIFs, and drawings before publishing.
Once you tap "Add to Your Story," Instagram opens its Story editor, where you can customize the repost however you like. Add location tags, polls, or questions with the sticker icon. Use the text tool to add captions or hashtags, or grab a GIF by tapping the GIF sticker and searching for something like "repost" or "credit." Feeling artistic? The drawing tool lets you scribble notes or doodles right on the Story. Preview your changes, then tap "Your Story" at the bottom to post. Made a mistake? No worries—tap the back arrow to discard changes and revert to the original Story before publishing.
Why would someone disable Story sharing?
They may want to control content distribution, prevent misattribution, or avoid association with certain accounts.
Creators disable sharing for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they want to control how their content spreads—like a brand that doesn't want their Stories appearing on accounts that don't align with their values. Influencers might turn it off to avoid their content being reshared without proper credit. Others do it to reduce noise or maintain exclusivity. Some creators just prefer direct engagement (like DMs or comments) over passive reposts. If you're unsure why someone has disabled sharing, it's best to ask them directly before reposting. Respect their choice—if they've turned it off, there's probably a good reason. For insights on professional networking, see our article on content sharing etiquette.
What if the Story owner won't enable sharing?
You’ll need to ask for a direct forward via DM or use alternative methods like screen-recording.
If the creator refuses to enable sharing, your best bet is to politely ask them to forward the Story to you via direct message. In the DM thread, long-press the Story thumbnail, tap "Forward," and select your username. This bypasses the sharing restriction entirely. If they're unresponsive, you can screen-record the Story (as described earlier) and repost it with clear credit. Always respect the creator’s decision—if they’ve disabled sharing, it’s likely intentional. Avoid reposting without permission, as it can violate Instagram’s terms and harm your account’s credibility.
Does reposting a Story notify the original creator?
No—Instagram does not send a notification when you repost a Story.
Here's some good news: Instagram doesn't send a direct notification when you repost a Story. However, the original creator can still see it if they check their Story insights or if a mutual follower points it out to them. Instagram adds a "Reposted" sticker to your Story, which credits the original creator, so they'll likely notice it when viewing their own Story analytics. If you want to make sure they see your repost, tag them in the caption or send them a DM letting them know you shared their content. A little extra effort goes a long way in building good creator relationships.
Can I repost a Story to my feed instead of my Story?
No—Instagram’s repost feature only allows sharing to Stories, not to your feed.
Instagram’s built-in repost tool is pretty limited—it only lets you add content to your Story, not your main feed. Want to share a Story to your feed? You'll need to use an alternative method, like screen-recording the Story and uploading it as a post. Just be aware that this violates Instagram’s terms of service unless you have explicit permission from the creator. For legal alternatives, consider reposting to your Story with credit, tagging the creator, or sharing the Story to your Close Friends list for a more private audience.
What should I include when reposting someone else's Story?
Always credit the original creator with a sticker or caption to avoid copyright issues.
When reposting, always add a "Reposted" sticker (available in the sticker menu) or include a caption like "Credit: @username" to give proper attribution. This isn't just about being polite—it's about protecting yourself from potential copyright claims. You can also add context, like why you're sharing the Story or how it relates to your audience. For example, "This Story perfectly captures our recent collaboration—check out @username’s work!" Avoid cropping out the original creator’s username or profile picture, as this can make it harder for others to identify the source. When in doubt, over-credit rather than under-credit. For more on proper image attribution, see our guide on APA citation formatting.
Are there any risks to reposting Stories?
Yes—reposting without permission can lead to copyright issues or account penalties.
Reposting someone else’s Story without their permission can violate Instagram’s terms of service, especially if the Story contains copyrighted music or branded content. Even with sharing enabled, the creator may still object if they feel their content is being misused. In rare cases, Instagram may remove the repost or issue a warning if the original creator files a complaint. To minimize risks, always ask for permission if sharing is disabled, credit the creator visibly, and avoid reposting content that isn’t yours. If you're unsure, err on the side of caution and use Instagram’s native features or direct forwarding instead. Your account’s credibility—and your relationship with other creators—isn’t worth the risk.
