How to Repost a Story on Instagram (3 Methods That Work)

Method 1: Repost When You're Tagged (Official Method)

This only works if:

Someone tagged you in their story
Their account is public (or you follow them if private)
They haven't disabled resharing in settings

Steps:

Check your DMs - You'll get a notification: "@username mentioned you in their story"
Tap the message - Opens a preview of their story
Tap "Add This to Your Story" - Opens the story editor
Customize (optional) - Add text, stickers, GIFs, or filters
Tap "Your Story" to post

Important: According to Instagram's Help Center, you can only reshare if the account is public and they've allowed resharing. You have 24 hours to repost before the story expires.

The original creator's username stays visible automatically - don't cover it.

Method 2: Repost Your Own Old Stories (From Archive)

Want to reshare one of your past stories? Instagram saves them in Archive.

Steps:

Go to your profile → Tap the menu (☰) in top right
Select Archive
Make sure it says "Stories Archive" at the top (tap to switch if needed)
Find the story you want to repost
Tap it → Tap Share at the bottom
Choose Your Story or send to specific people
Customize and post

Note: Stories in Archive remain forever (unlike regular stories that disappear after 24 hours). You can repost them anytime.

Method 3: Repost When You're NOT Tagged (Manual Method)

You can't use Instagram's built-in feature if you weren't tagged. Here are two workarounds:

Option A: Screenshot or Screen Record

For photos:

Open the story you want to repost
Take a screenshot (varies by device)
Upload to your story from gallery
Add credit - Tag the original creator

For videos:

Open the story
Use your phone's screen recording feature
Upload the recording to your story
Add credit - Tag the original creator

Critical: Always ask permission first and give proper credit. Not doing so violates copyright and Instagram's community guidelines.

Option B: Repost Feed Posts to Stories

If someone posted something to their feed (not a story), you can share it:

Find the post in your feed
Tap the paper airplane icon (Share button)
Select "Add post to your story"
Customize with text or stickers
Tap Your Story to post

Instagram automatically tags the original poster. This works for both single photos and carousel posts.

Why You Can't Repost a Story

If you're tagged but can't repost, here's why:

The account is private and you don't follow them

Solution: Follow them and wait for approval. If you're concerned about your own privacy settings, see our guide on how to hide your Instagram following list.

Resharing is disabled in their privacy settings

Solution: Ask them to enable it or use screenshot method (with permission)

The story expired (older than 24 hours)

Solution: Ask them to repost it or use Archive if it's your own

You're using an outdated app

Solution: Update Instagram to the latest version

The original story has restrictions

Some business/creator accounts disable story resharing

Repost Etiquette & Best Practices

Always Get Permission

Message the creator before reposting their content, especially for:

Private accounts
Personal or sensitive content
Content you plan to use for business/marketing

Give Proper Credit

Keep the original username visible
Add an extra mention/tag if you've cropped or edited
Write a caption thanking or acknowledging them

Don't Overdo It

Balance reposted content with original stories. Aim for:

70% original content
30% reposted/user-generated content

For optimal story engagement, aim for 1-2 Stories daily minimum (ideally 4+ for established accounts). Learn more about how often to post on Instagram to balance Stories with feed posts and Reels.

Customize Thoughtfully

Add value when reposting:

Your reaction or commentary
Context for why you're sharing
Brand colors/fonts (for businesses)
A question to drive engagement

Common Questions

Can I repost from the desktop version of Instagram? No. Instagram's desktop version doesn't support story reposting. You must use the mobile app.

Does the original creator get notified when I repost their story? Yes, when you use Instagram's native "Add to Your Story" feature, they receive a notification that you've shared their story.

Can I repost someone's story if they have a private account? Only if you follow them and they've approved you. Private accounts still allow tagged followers to repost unless they've disabled resharing entirely.

How long do I have to repost a story I'm tagged in? 24 hours from when they posted it. After that, the story expires and you can't repost it using Instagram's feature.

What about third-party repost apps? They exist (like "Repost for Instagram" or "Story Reposter"), but:

Many add watermarks or ads
Some violate Instagram's terms of service
They pose security risks by requiring login access
Instagram may restrict or ban accounts using them

Manual methods (screenshot/screen record) are safer if you need to repost without a tag.

Can I repost a story to my feed instead of my story? Not directly. You can:

Screenshot the story
Crop and edit it
Post as a regular feed post
Always credit the creator in the caption

Do reposted stories count toward my 24-hour limit? Instagram doesn't have a strict limit on story posts per day, but excessive posting (100+ in quick succession) may trigger spam filters. Reposted stories count the same as original ones.

Can I repost a Reel to my story? Yes! Tap the paper airplane icon under any Reel, then select "Add to Story." Instagram will show a preview of the Reel with the creator's username.

Why Repost Stories?

Build community - Shows you value your followers' content

Increase engagement - User-generated content gets 28% higher engagement than brand content

Save time - Fills content gaps without creating from scratch

Strengthen partnerships - Great for brand collaborations and influencer marketing

Social proof - Customer testimonials and reviews in story format

Extend content life - Give feed posts a second chance by sharing to stories

For businesses especially, reposting user-generated content (UGC) is powerful. It builds trust, provides social proof, and encourages more customers to create content about your brand. Combine this with a consistent posting frequency strategy for maximum impact.

Looking to maximize your Instagram strategy? Want to maintain a consistent posting schedule without the daily grind? Genviral lets you schedule stories in advance so you never miss a posting opportunity.