How to Reshare a Post or Reel to Your Story<\/h2>\n
Sharing a post or reel to your Instagram story is one of the most effective ways to highlight user-generated content, support fellow creators, or share helpful information with your followers. Because stories disappear after twenty-four hours, this method is ideal for high-volume sharing that does not clutter your main grid.<\/p>\n
To share a public feed post or reel to your story, follow these simple steps:<\/p>\n
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- Browse to the post or reel you want to share on your mobile device.<\/li>\n
- Tap the paper airplane icon located directly below the post (next to the comment bubble).<\/li>\n
- In the menu that appears, tap the button labeled ‘Add to story’ or ‘Add Reel to Story’.<\/li>\n
- The editor window will open, showing a preview of the post. You can tap the post preview to toggle between different display styles, such as showing a clean image or showing the beginning of the caption.<\/li>\n
- Use your fingers to pinch, zoom, or rotate the preview to place it where you want on the screen.<\/li>\n
- Customize your story by adding text, stickers, location tags, or interactive elements like polls or links.<\/li>\n
- Tap the ‘Your Story’ button in the bottom left corner to publish it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
When you reshare a post this way, Instagram automatically generates a clickable tag containing the original creator’s username. When your followers tap your story, they can click this tag to visit the original post, making it a wonderful way to drive traffic and credit creators.<\/p>\n
However, you must keep in mind that you can only share posts from public accounts. If an account is set to private, the paper airplane icon will not display the story option. Additionally, users with public accounts can choose to disable resharing in their privacy settings. If someone has turned off this permission, their content cannot be added to stories by anyone else.<\/p>\n
Using these interactive story features can help you connect with your audience. When users view your stories, they often reply via direct message. To manage these conversations effectively and build a stronger following, setting up a Messenger Bot Instagram chatbot setup<\/a> can automate your replies, answer common questions, and ensure no message goes unanswered.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/messengerbot.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/igrepost-support-1.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\nInstagram’s Native Repost Feature (for feed posts and reels)<\/h2>\n
Historically, Instagram did not offer a way to share posts directly to your feed or reels grid. Users had to rely on screenshots or third-party tools to share content permanently. To address this limitation, Instagram rolled out a native repost feature in late 2025. This tool represents a significant update to how content is shared and discovered across the platform.<\/p>\n
The native repost feature works by placing a public post or reel directly into the feeds of your followers, with a clear note explaining that you are resharing it. The content is also cataloged on your profile page within a dedicated tab for reposts, allowing visitors to see what you have recommended over time. This approach ensures that the original creator receives all the views, likes, and comments, while allowing you to curate high-quality media for your audience.<\/p>\n
Because this feature is rolling out and may be restricted by region or account type, you should verify if it is available on your profile. To use the native repost tool where available, follow these steps:<\/p>\n
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- Open Instagram and locate the public feed post or reel you wish to share.<\/li>\n
- Tap the share button (the paper airplane icon).<\/li>\n
- Look at the options at the bottom of the share sheet. If the feature is enabled for your account, you will see a button labeled ‘Repost’.<\/li>\n
- Tap ‘Repost’ to confirm.<\/li>\n
- If you want to share your thoughts alongside the content, you can tap the option to add a thought. This will attach a short comment to the reshared post.<\/li>\n
- The post will now be distributed to your followers’ feeds and will appear under the reposts tab on your profile page.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
If you ever decide to remove a native repost, you can do so easily. Simply return to the original post, tap the share icon, and select ‘Undo Repost’. This will immediately remove the content from your followers’ feeds and your profile tab.<\/p>\n
Native reposting is particularly powerful when used alongside live video broadcasts to cross-promote other creators. If you want to expand your live presence, studying a detailed guide to going live on Instagram<\/a> can help you learn how to go live, engage your audience, and save replays to build a comprehensive media strategy.<\/p>\n
How to Repost Using Third-Party Apps<\/h2>\n
While resharing to stories and native reposting are excellent options, there are times when you need to publish content permanently to your main feed grid and the native options are either unavailable or do not fit your branding. For these situations, third-party apps are a reliable alternative.<\/p>\n
These tools work by downloading the image or video from Instagram and generating a new copy that includes an attribution watermark, usually showing the original creator’s profile handle. You can then upload this copy as a standard post. Popular apps for this purpose include Repost for Instagram, Regrann, and Repost+.<\/p>\n
To use a third-party reposting app, follow this general workflow:<\/p>\n
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- Locate the public post or reel you want to share on Instagram.<\/li>\n
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post and select ‘Copy Link’.<\/li>\n
- Open your chosen third-party reposting application. Most of these apps will automatically detect the copied link from your clipboard and load the post.<\/li>\n
- Customize the attribution watermark. You can choose to place the watermark in any corner of the media and select a light or dark background to match the aesthetic of the post.<\/li>\n
- Tap ‘Repost’ or ‘Save’. This action will download the media to your camera roll.<\/li>\n
- The app will automatically copy the original caption to your clipboard, complete with an attribution tag for the creator.<\/li>\n
- Open Instagram, tap the plus icon to create a new post, and select the saved media from your camera roll.<\/li>\n
- Paste the copied caption into the text field. You can add your own commentary above or below the original text.<\/li>\n
- Share the post.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
When selecting an app, look for options that do not require you to enter your Instagram username and password. Entering your account credentials into unsecured third-party tools is a security risk that violates the platform’s terms of service and could compromise your account.<\/p>\n
If you are looking to download reels specifically for curation or archiving without watermarks, using dedicated downloader tools can simplify the process. Refer to a guide on download Instagram reels to your phone or PC<\/a> to learn how to save reels safely and manage your downloaded files.<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/messengerbot.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/igrepost-support-2.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\nReposting Etiquette and Credit<\/h2>\n
Whenever you share content created by someone else, maintaining high ethical standards is crucial. Social media is built on mutual respect, and crediting the people who spend time creating original media is non-negotiable.<\/p>\n
Always place the primary credit at the very beginning of your caption. A common mistake is burying the creator’s username under a wall of text or beneath thirty hashtags where nobody will see it. Use clear, simple phrasing like ‘\ud83d\udcf8 credit: @username’ or ‘Repost from @username’ at the top of your post. This ensures your audience immediately knows who created the original work.<\/p>\n
Additionally, tag the creator in the image or video itself before publishing. When you tag someone on Instagram, they receive a notification, and the post will appear under the tagged tab on their profile, which helps them gain exposure.<\/p>\n
You should never alter the creator’s media. Do not apply filters, crop out watermarks, edit the video length, or modify the graphic unless you have received clear, written permission to do so. Modifying someone’s art or professional work without consent is disrespectful and can lead to public disputes.<\/p>\n
Finally, respect the creator’s wishes. If a creator contacts you and asks you to take down a repost of their work, delete it immediately. Arguing or refusing to comply damages your reputation and could lead to copyright reports that jeopardize your account standing.<\/p>\n
Copyright and Permission<\/h2>\n
Understanding the legal differences between native sharing tools and manual reposting is essential for keeping your account safe from copyright strikes. Under copyright law, the creator of a photo, video, or graphic automatically owns the copyright the moment it is created.<\/p>\n
When a user posts content to Instagram, they agree to the platform’s terms of service, which grant Instagram a license to distribute their content. When you use Instagram’s built-in sharing features\u2014such as resharing a post to your story or using the native repost button\u2014you are operating within the platform’s authorized framework. These features keep the content hosted on Instagram’s servers and link directly back to the creator, which means they do not constitute copyright infringement.<\/p>\n
However, the moment you use a third-party app to download a file, or take a screenshot to upload the media as a new post, you are creating a copy of the work. Uploading this copy without explicit authorization is technically a violation of copyright law. Simply crediting the creator in the caption does not override copyright protection; you still need their permission.<\/p>\n
To ensure you are fully compliant, seek explicit permission before uploading someone else’s media. The process is straightforward:<\/p>\n
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- Send a polite direct message to the creator.<\/li>\n
- Clearly state which post you want to share and how you plan to use it.<\/li>\n
- Wait for their positive response.<\/li>\n
- Keep a screenshot of their permission for your records.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
By taking these steps, you protect your account from copyright complaints and show respect for the creative community. For businesses looking to optimize their visual presence and automate their growth, having a structured, compliant marketing plan is key. If you want to scale your operations and build automated sequences that support your business growth, take a moment to See Our Plans<\/a> and discover how our advanced chatbot tools can help you connect with your audience.<\/p>\n
FAQ<\/h2>\n
Understanding the details of content curation can save you from common mistakes. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about resharing posts, reels, and stories on Instagram.<\/p>\n
Why can’t I see the ‘Add to Story’ option for a post?<\/h3>\n
If the ‘Add to Story’ button does not appear in the share menu, it is usually because the account that published the post is set to private. Instagram does not allow media from private profiles to be shared publicly. Another reason could be that the creator has turned off the resharing option in their account settings. If they have disabled this feature, their posts cannot be shared to stories even if their account is public.<\/p>\n
Can you repost a Reel to your grid natively?<\/h3>\n
Yes, you can use the native repost feature that Instagram rolled out in late 2025. When you tap the paper airplane icon on a public reel and select ‘Repost’, the reel will be shared to your followers’ feeds and will appear under the reposts tab on your profile page. However, this does not save the video file directly to your feed grid as a new post under your username. If you want the reel to live permanently on your grid as a standard upload, you must use a third-party application or download tool, ensuring you have the creator’s permission first.<\/p>\n
Does Instagram notify creators when you repost their content?<\/h3>\n
If you share a creator’s public post to your story, they will receive a notification in their direct messages, provided their settings allow notifications from people they do not follow. If you use the native repost tool, the creator will receive a notification in their activity tab. If you use a third-party app to download and re-upload their image or video, they will only be notified if you manually tag their profile handle in the image or caption of your new post.<\/p>\n
Are third-party reposting apps safe to use?<\/h3>\n
Third-party apps are generally safe if they only require you to copy and paste public post links. You should never enter your Instagram password or account credentials into any external app. Doing so violates Instagram’s Terms of Service and puts your profile at risk of being compromised, suspended, or banned. Only use applications that operate by pulling public media links without requiring account authorization.<\/p>\n
Can private accounts use the native Repost feature?<\/h3>\n
Yes, private accounts can use the native repost feature to share public posts to their own followers. When a private account reposts a public post, their followers will see the reshared post in their feeds. However, the private account’s own posts cannot be reposted by other users because private content is restricted to approved followers only.<\/p>\n