You can repost an Instagram story using the share option in the app, if it is available. Have you been tagged, meaning your account is mentioned? Open the notification or the conversation with the creator. Without a tag, you can check whether sharing is possible for a public story. Is the option missing? Ask for a mention or for the original file, with permission to share it.
Below, you will find the steps for your situation and help if sharing does not work.
Repost an Instagram story when you have been tagged
When someone tags you, that person has mentioned your account in the story. Having only your name as regular text on screen is not enough. The creator must have actually selected your account.
- Open the notification about the mention or the conversation with the creator.
- Open the story and check whether you can add it to your own story.
- Do you see that option? Open the preview and check that the image and the creator’s name are clearly visible.
- If you wish, add a short explanation. Before posting, check who can see your story.
The wording of the share option may vary. Do you not see a suitable option? Ask the creator whether the correct account has been mentioned. Also check whether you can still view the original story.
Repost an Instagram story without a tag
Sharing is sometimes possible even without a tag. Mint reported on 9 December 2025 that public Stories could be shared without a tag, with the creator mentioned automatically. Check in the app whether your account has this option.
Open the public story and view the sharing options. Look for an option to place the story in your own story. Can you only send the story to someone? That is different from reposting.
Can you not add the story to your story? Then you have these choices:
- Ask for a tag. Ask the creator to mention your account. Then check again whether you can share the story.
- Ask for the original file. With permission, you can post the photo or video as a new story. Credit the creator.
- Do not share the story further. Does the creator want to share the image only with a small group? Then do not repost it for your followers.
A screenshot is not an ordinary repost: you are creating a new copy. You may cut off names or important explanations in the process. It is therefore better to ask for the original file. This can also help with poor image quality in your Instagram story.
Why can you not repost an Instagram story?
If the share option is missing, it is not immediately clear why. First check the story and the tag. This table shows what to look out for.
| What do you see? | What can you do? |
|---|---|
| Your name appears on screen, but you cannot find a tag. | Ask whether the creator selected your account and used the correct account name. |
| You can no longer open the original story. | Ask whether the story is still available. Otherwise, ask for the file and permission to share it. |
| You can only send the story to someone. | That does not place it in your own story. Ask for a tag or the file. |
| The story is intended for a small group. | Ask whether the creator is comfortable with your followers seeing the story too. |
| The app is not responding properly. | Close Instagram and reopen the app. Also check whether an update is available. This does not always provide additional sharing options. |
You do not need a separate app to ask the creator for a photo. If you still want to use an app from another provider, check what access it requests. Do not give away your password to repost a story.
Share an Instagram post or Reel to your story
Do you want to share an ordinary photo or Reel instead of a story? Start with that post. A Reel is a video on Instagram. You can find an ordinary post among the posts on a profile.
- Open the post or Reel you want to share.
- View the sharing options for that post.
- Choose to share it to your story if that option is available. Check the preview.
- If you wish, add a sentence explaining why you are sharing it.
Is the option to share to your story missing? That does not mean you may simply download the image and repost it. Ask the creator for permission and a suitable file.
The Instagram Repost feature is not the same as sharing a story
Meta announced a Repost feature on 6 August 2025 for public Reels and ordinary posts. That is a different feature from resharing a story.
Do you want the image to appear in your story? Choose a sharing option that names your story as the destination. The word Repost alone does not mean that you are posting a story.
Repost an Instagram story with permission and the creator’s name
When in doubt, first ask whether you may share the story. This is especially important for private images, images of children or a story intended for a small group. Adding the creator’s name is not the same as having permission.
For example, you could ask: “May I share this photo in my own story? I will mention your account. Is it okay for my followers to see it too?”
- Keep the creator’s name visible. Do not place text or stickers over it.
- Mention the account yourself if you post a separate file.
- Keep any explanation needed to understand the photo or video properly.
- Check whether addresses, phone numbers or other personal information are visible.
Your own explanation can clarify why you are sharing something. For example: “Here you can see the route we walked on Saturday.” Looking for more ways to add something of your own? See these ideas for your Instagram Story.
Check your shared Instagram story
Before posting, check that the text is readable, the creator’s name remains visible and the right people can see your story. After posting, open your own story to check the image and sound.
Would you like to try it first with a simple photo? Ask someone to place, for example, a plant in a story and tag you. Agree beforehand that you may share the photo. This lets you explore the options without using personal images.
Does sharing work, but are you wondering why your other posts receive few views? Read more about why your followers do not see your Instagram posts . This is separate from a missing sharing option. If you are also considering paid options, our Instagram services lets you compare packages for views and followers, including the available quantities and prices.
