How to Repost Any Instagram Story in 2026 (Step-by-Step)

Someone tags you in an Instagram Story, and you want to share it with your own followers among Instagram's 500 million daily Story users. Or maybe you spot a customer testimonial you'd love to repost, but you weren't tagged at all. Either way, Instagram's reposting options aren't exactly intuitive.

The platform only lets you natively reshare Stories you've been tagged in, which leaves everyone else hunting for workarounds. This guide walks you through both scenarios step by step, plus how to handle the tricky parts like attribution, quality loss, and account restrictions.

How to Repost an Instagram Story You Were Tagged In

If someone tags you in their Instagram Story, you can repost it directly to your own Story by tapping "Add to your story" from the mention notification or the story itself. Instagram automatically credits the original creator when you use this method, so you don't have to worry about attribution.

The whole process takes about 30 seconds. Here's how it works.

Step 1. Open the Story Notification or Direct Message

When someone tags you, Instagram sends a DM that says "[Username] mentioned you in their story." You'll find this in your Direct Messages inbox. Tap the message to view the Story.

If you missed the DM, you can also watch the person's Story directly from their profile or your Stories feed. Look for the "Add this to your story" prompt at the bottom of the screen.

One thing to keep in mind: Stories disappear after 24 hours. If you wait too long, the original Story expires and you lose the option to repost it natively.

Step 2. Tap the Add This to Your Story Button

Once you're viewing the Story where you're tagged, look for the "Add this to your story" button at the bottom. Tap it, and Instagram pulls the content into your Story editor automatically.

This button only shows up when you've been tagged. If you don't see it, the creator may have turned off resharing in their settings, or the account might be private.

Step 3. Customize Your Repost With Stickers and Text

Now you're in the Story editor. Tap the reposted content to resize it or make it full screen.

From here, you can add:

• Text overlays: Thank the person who tagged you or share your reaction
• Stickers and GIFs: Add polls, emoji sliders, or decorative elements
• Location or hashtag tags: Increase discoverability

This step is optional, but adding context makes the repost feel more personal to your audience.

Step 4. Share to Your Instagram Story

When you're happy with how it looks, tap "Your Story" or "Share" in the bottom left corner. The repost goes live immediately.

Instagram automatically includes a clickable link back to the original creator's profile. Your followers can tap the embedded tag to visit their account, which makes this method both ethical and engagement-friendly.

How to Repost Someone's Instagram Story When You Are Not Tagged

Instagram doesn't offer a native repost option for Stories you weren't tagged in. This limitation frustrates a lot of users, especially brands that want to share user-generated content or customer testimonials.

Fortunately, a few workarounds exist. Each comes with trade-offs, though.

Take a Screenshot or Screen Recording of the Story

The most common workaround is capturing the Story manually using your phone's built-in tools.

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For iPhone users: Open Control Center and tap the screen recording icon before playing the Story. After recording, trim the video in your Photos app, then upload it as a new Story.

For Android users: Most devices have a native screen recorder in the quick settings panel. The process works the same way.

Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot or screen record their Story. However, you're still responsible for crediting the original creator, which we'll cover in the ethics section below.

Use a Third-Party App to Repost Instagram Stories

Several apps claim to let you download and repost Stories without screenshots. While these tools exist, they come with risks.

• Privacy concerns: Some apps request login credentials that could compromise your account
• Terms of service violations: Many violate Instagram's policies
• Quality loss: Downloaded content often gets compressed

If you manage a brand account or work with clients, sticking with native methods or requesting permission directly is the safer approach.

Ask the Creator to Tag You for Native Sharing

The cleanest solution? Reach out to the original creator via DM and ask them to tag you in the Story. Once tagged, you unlock the native "Add to Story" feature, which preserves image quality and handles attribution automatically.

A quick message like "Love this! Would you mind tagging us so we can share it?" often does the trick. This approach works especially well for brands building relationships with customers, influencers, or partners.

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How to Share a Feed Post or Reel to Your Instagram Story

Sometimes when people search for "repost Instagram Story," they actually want to share a feed post or Reel to their Story. Instagram makes this straightforward, though some accounts disable the feature.

Reposting a Feed Post to Your Story

Find the post you want to share and tap the paper airplane icon (the share button) below the image or video. Select "Add post to your story" from the menu.

The post appears as a clickable sticker in your Story editor. You can resize it, add text, or layer on other stickers before sharing. When followers tap the sticker, they're taken directly to the original post.

Quick note: If you don't see the "Add post to your story" option, the account owner has disabled resharing in their privacy settings.

Reposting a Reel to Your Story

The process mirrors feed posts. Tap the share icon on any Reel, then select "Add to story." The Reel appears as a preview sticker that links back to the full video.

This method works well for amplifying trending content, sharing behind-the-scenes clips, or highlighting collaborations without cluttering your main feed.

Why You Cannot Repost a Story on Instagram

If the "Add to Story" button isn't appearing, several settings or restrictions might be blocking you.

The Account Is Set to Private

Private accounts restrict Story sharing to approved followers only. Even if you follow the account and get tagged, the repost option may not appear if the creator's privacy settings are strict.

The User Disabled Resharing to Stories

Account holders can turn off "Allow sharing to stories" in their Instagram settings. When this toggle is off, no one can repost their content, even when tagged. There's no workaround here except asking the creator to change their settings.

Business and Creator Account Limitations

Some business or creator accounts have different sharing permissions based on their content type or partnership agreements. Branded content, sponsored posts, or content with music licensing restrictions may block resharing entirely.

Audio and Link Stickers Do Not Transfer

When you repost a Story, original audio tracks or clickable link stickers often don't carry over. If the audio or link was essential to the content's context, adding a text explanation or directing followers to the original post helps fill the gap.

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Reposting Stories

Reposting isn't just a technical process. It's also about respecting creators and protecting your brand's reputation.

Copyright and Permission Requirements

All content on Instagram belongs to the original creator, following standard copyright laws that protect creators and their work. While Instagram's native repost feature implies permission (since the creator tagged you), manual methods like screenshots require more care.

• Tagged Stories: Permission is implied since they tagged you
• Untagged Stories: Ask via DM before screenshotting or recording
• Branded or sponsored content: Always request explicit approval

For businesses, getting written permission protects you from potential copyright disputes down the line.

How to Credit the Original Creator Properly

Always add an @mention in a visible text overlay when reposting content you captured manually. Position the credit prominently, not hidden in a corner or in tiny text.

A simple format like "📸 @username" or "via @username" works well. This practice builds trust with creators and signals to your audience that you value original work.

What Instagram Community Guidelines Say About Reposting

Instagram's community guidelines expect users to respect intellectual property. Repeated violations, like reposting without credit or ignoring takedown requests, can result in content removal, reduced reach, or account restrictions.

When in doubt, ask first.

How to Maximize Engagement on Your Reposted Instagram Stories

Reposting isn't just about sharing. It's an opportunity to spark conversation and strengthen community ties.

Add Interactive Stickers to Encourage Responses

Transform a passive repost into an engagement driver by adding polls, question boxes, or emoji sliders, which 57% of people prefer from brands on Instagram over other platforms. Ask your audience what they think about the content, or invite them to share similar experiences.

Interactive elements boost Story completion rates and signal to Instagram's algorithm that your content resonates.

Tag the Original Creator to Expand Reach

Even when Instagram adds automatic attribution, adding a visible @mention in text increases click-throughs to the creator's profile. This gesture often leads to reciprocal engagement, where the creator may reshare your repost, exposing your account to their audience.

Save Reposted Stories to Highlights for Longer Visibility

Stories for business disappear after 24 hours, but Highlights keep content visible indefinitely.

Curate User-Generated Content to Build Community

When followers see their content shared on your account, they're more likely to tag you again. This creates a cycle of engagement and brand loyalty through user-generated content that drives 29% higher conversion rates.

• Testimonials: Repost customer reviews or product photos
• Event coverage: Share attendee Stories from launches or meetups
• Brand mentions: Celebrate organic shoutouts from fans

Teams managing multiple accounts often use a unified social inbox to track mentions and tagged Stories across platforms, making it easier to spot repost-worthy content quickly.

Tips for Maintaining Image Quality and Brand Consistency

A sloppy repost reflects poorly on your brand. A few quick practices keep your content looking polished.

Avoid Compression by Using Native Tools

Every time you export, download, or re-upload content through third-party apps, you risk quality loss. Native screen recording and direct uploads preserve resolution better than most workarounds.

Match Reposts to Your Visual Brand Style

Use consistent fonts, colors, and sticker styles when customizing reposts. If your brand uses specific hex codes or typography, apply them to text overlays so reposts feel cohesive with your original content.

Use Consistent Attribution Across All Reposts

Pick a standard format for crediting creators, something like "📸 @username" or "Shared from @username," and stick with it. Consistency builds recognition and professionalism over time.

Streamline Your Instagram Story Workflow With Smarter Tools

Managing reposts, scheduling Stories, and tracking engagement across multiple accounts gets complex fast, especially for agencies or multi-brand teams.

A centralized social media management platform can help you monitor tagged mentions, queue content for approval, and maintain brand consistency without jumping between apps. Platforms like Eclincher bring publishing, inbox management, and analytics into one dashboard, so teams can collaborate on Story content and respond to engagement opportunities in real time.

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FAQs

Can You Repost an Instagram Story Without the Original Poster Knowing?

If you screenshot or screen record, Instagram does not notify the poster. However, if you use the native "Add to story" feature when tagged, the original creator can see who shared it in their Story insights.

Does Instagram Notify Someone When You Screenshot Their Story?

No. Instagram stopped sending screenshot notifications for Stories several years ago. The creator will not receive an alert when you capture their Story.

Can You Schedule an Instagram Story Repost in Advance?

Instagram's native app doesn't support Story scheduling. However, social media management platforms, like Eclincher allow teams to plan and queue Stories ahead of time, which helps maintain consistent posting without manual effort.

What Is the Difference Between Sharing and Reposting on Instagram?

Sharing uses Instagram's native feature, either sending via DM or adding to your Story when tagged. Reposting typically refers to manually capturing content (via screenshot or screen recording) to publish as your own Story. The native method preserves quality and handles attribution automatically.

Reposting Instagram Stories the Right Way in 2026

Reposting Instagram Stories in 2026 is less about hacks and more about understanding how the platform is designed to work. When you’re tagged, Instagram’s native tools make sharing fast, high-quality, and automatically attributed. When you’re not tagged, screenshots, screen recordings, or a quick DM requesting permission can still get the job done, if you handle credit and consent properly.

The key takeaway is simple: respect creators, protect your brand, and choose the method that fits the situation. Native reposting preserves quality and trust, while thoughtful attribution and engagement stickers turn reshared content into meaningful interactions. Whether you’re highlighting customer testimonials, amplifying collaborations, or building community through user-generated content, reposting Stories strategically helps you stay visible, authentic, and connected in an increasingly crowded Instagram ecosystem.