If you can’t repost on Instagram, it may be due to the post, sharing settings or your app. First, work out what you want to do: use the Repost feature, add a post to your story or reshare a Story. These are different options. Then try another public post. This helps you find out whether sharing only fails for that one post.
Below, you’ll read what you can check for each way of sharing.
The difference between reposting and sharing to your Instagram story
Reposting can mean different things. So first find the sharing method you need. If one option is missing, the other options do not necessarily have to be missing too.
| What do you want to do? | Which sharing method is that? | What should you check first? |
|---|---|---|
| Share an existing post or Reel using Repost | Instagram’s repost feature | Is it a public post? |
| Add a post or Reel to your own story | Share to your Story | Do you see an option to share this post to your story? |
| Add someone else’s Story to your own story | Reshare a Story | Can you open the Story and any mention of your account? |
| Reupload a photo or video yourself | Create a new post with existing material | Do you have permission to use the photo or video? |
Suppose you want to add a fun cooking video to your story. Look for the option to share it to your story. You do not need the Repost button for this.
No Repost button on an Instagram post or Reel
In August 2025, Meta announced Instagram Reposts for public Reels and regular posts, with attribution to the original creator. This is different from sharing to your story.
Can’t you see a Repost button? Compare the post with another public post:
- Open the post or Reel you want to repost.
- See which options you get for sharing the post. The name and location of a button may vary.
- Open another public post or Reel and see whether you can repost it.
Does it work with the second post? Then look further into the first post and the creator’s sharing settings. Is the option missing from several posts? Move on to the checks for your app. The comparison helps you decide where to look next, but does not yet provide a certain cause.
You can’t share an Instagram post to your story
According to tests by TechYorker privacy, sharing settings, the type of post or app problems may play a role. A feature may also not yet be available for every account. These are possible causes, not a certain explanation for your problem.
Can you send a post to someone but not add it to your story? Then sending works, but the option you are looking for is missing. Check the following:
- Try another public post. Choose a post from another creator and see whether you can share it to your story.
- Ask the creator to check the settings. Ask whether other people are allowed to share the post to their story.
- Write down what is missing. For example: “I can send the post, but I don’t see an option to add it to my story.” This helps when reporting the problem.
Do you only want to show the post to a friend? Use an available option to send it within Instagram. It will not appear in your story, but your friend will be able to view it.
You can’t share an Instagram Story after being tagged
First check whether the creator mentioned the correct account. This is also called tagging. Simply adding your name as ordinary text to the Story is not the same.
- Open the post with the mention, if you received it.
- Check whether you can still view the original Story.
- Check whether you see an option there to add the Story to your own story.
- If in doubt, ask the creator to check the mention and sharing settings.
Can’t you open the Story any more? Ask whether it is still available. Searching for the share button again and again will not help if you cannot view the original Story.
A tag does not automatically mean that you can share the Story. You also cannot assume that every public Story can be reshared without a tag. Check which options Instagram offers for that Story.
Can’t the creator mention your account? Read why you can’t tag someone on Instagram.
Reposting an Instagram post from a private account
Being able to view a post because you follow the creator does not mean you can also share it with your own followers. Access to a post is different from permission to distribute it further.
So ask what the creator is comfortable with. For example: “Can I add this photo to my own story, or do you only want to share it with your followers?” You do not need to ask the creator to make the account public for this.
A missing share button by itself does not mean Instagram has restricted your account. First compare several posts. Do you see a restriction notice? Then read exactly what it says and which action triggers the notice.
Checking your Instagram app when reposting doesn’t work
Can’t you share several posts? Then check your app. After each step, try sharing the same post. This helps you notice whether anything changes.
- Close Instagram completely and reopen the app. Then check whether the sharing option is there.
- Check whether an update is available. To do this, check the official app store on your phone.
- Check your connection. Are photos and videos also loading poorly? Try another trusted connection.
- Restart your phone. Open Instagram and try again.
- Report the problem using Instagram’s help options. Include what type of post you want to share, which option is missing and whether it also happens with other posts.
These steps can help you try to identify a temporary app problem. They will not give you a sharing option that is unavailable for your account or that post.
Do not delete the app straight away. If you still want to reinstall Instagram, first check that you can log in again. Also check whether you have any drafts you still need that are stored only on your phone.
Are other actions not working either?
Then read the explanation for that action: why you can’t follow someone on Instagram, what you can do if you can’t reply to Instagram messages or can’t comment on Instagram. These problems do not necessarily have the same cause.
Reuploading content yourself when reposting on Instagram doesn’t work
You can ask the creator for permission to upload the photo or video yourself. This does not restore the repost feature: you are creating a new post. Agree in advance where you may use the material.
For example, ask: “Can I post this video to my Instagram story and mention your account?” After receiving permission, preferably ask for the original file. This helps you avoid a recording with menus or notifications visible on screen.
Use a screenshot or screen recording only as a last resort, with permission and clear attribution to the creator. Simply adding the creator’s name does not replace that permission.
Also consider people, private details and music in the photo or video. The person who posted it does not automatically own all the rights to these.
Do not give your password to a service that claims it can unlock the missing repost feature. Still can’t share after completing the checks? Ask the creator how you can share the post with permission, or do not repost it. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our Instagram services to compare packages for followers and likes for your public profile or content.
