How to repost an Instagram story step by step (free app)
Reposting an Instagram Story can be very simple, but it mainly depends on one thing: were you tagged in the original Story or not? If you were mentioned, Instagram usually shows the Add to your story button straight away. If you were not tagged, you cannot share the Story in the same official way. In that case, it is better to handle it properly, for example by asking permission, using a screenshot, or asking the creator to tag you after all.
Reposting is useful for shoutouts, reviews, collaborations, customer reactions, and fun moments with friends. It can also help your reach because it shows that real things are happening around your account. For creators, business owners, and brands in particular, good reposts are often an easy way to build more trust and interaction.
What does reposting an Instagram Story mean?
Reposting an Instagram Story means sharing someone else’s Story again in your own Story. You are not simply posting a new photo or video. You are sharing existing content again with your own followers.
There are three common situations:
- You are tagged in a Story: this is the easiest way. Instagram often gives you a share button automatically.
- You are not tagged: you cannot share the Story directly through Instagram. You need permission or another respectful solution.
- You want to share a regular post in your Story: technically, this is not a Story repost, but people often use it in the same way.
You see this a lot with brands and creators. Someone might post a review, an unboxing, or a photo of a product. By reposting that Story, you give the creator attention and show your own followers that other people are engaging with your content or brand.
Repost an Instagram Story when you are tagged
If someone tags you with your @username in a Story, you will usually receive a notification in your Instagram messages. From that notification, you can add the Story to your own story.
How to repost a Story where you are mentioned
- Open Instagram.
- Go to your DM inbox.
- Open the message saying you were mentioned in a Story.
- Tap Add to your story.
- Edit the Story with text, stickers, music, GIFs, or a poll.
- Tap Your story or choose your Close Friends list.
You can make the shared Story bigger or smaller, move it around, and add your own reaction. That last part is often a good idea. Simply reposting can feel a little empty, while a short message such as “Thanks for sharing!” or “So nice to see this!” instantly feels more personal.
What does the original creator see?
The original creator will usually see that you shared the Story, especially if you tag that person again or repost through the official Instagram button. For regular users, that is mostly convenient. For creators and businesses, it is also a nice way to stay connected with customers, fans, or collaboration partners.
If you want to see what Instagram says about Stories and sharing, you can also check the official explanation in the Instagram Help Centre.
Repost an Instagram Story without being tagged
If you are not tagged, the Add to your story button usually will not appear. Instagram does this deliberately. It wants to prevent Stories from being taken and shared without the creator having control over them.
However, there are still a few appropriate ways to share a Story.
1. Ask the creator to tag you
This is usually the best option. Send a short, friendly message to the person who posted the Story.
Example message:
“Hi, I love that you shared this! Can I also share your Story on my own account? If you tag me, I can repost it easily.”
This works well for reviews, collaborations, events, and customer content. It feels respectful and prevents problems later. The creator will often be happy about it because they also receive extra visibility.
2. Take a screenshot or screen recording
For a photo, you can take a screenshot. For a video, you can make a screen recording. You can then upload the image or video yourself in your own Story.
Do this with permission, especially if people are clearly visible or the content is private. Clearly tag the original creator in your Story so followers know where the content came from.
A respectful repost could look like this:
- A screenshot or video of the original Story.
- A short reaction from you.
- A clear @mention of the creator.
- A sticker, location, or link if appropriate.
3. Use a repost app or online tool carefully
There are apps and websites that promise to help you download Instagram content and easily post it again. For feed posts and reels, this sometimes works well, but it is often less reliable for Stories. Stories disappear after 24 hours, private accounts are not easily accessible, and some tools ask you to log in with your Instagram account.
Be careful with this. Do not give your Instagram password to unknown apps. If a tool only works after you log in with your account, it is wise to first check whether you really trust that service. For a simple Story repost, asking permission is often safer and more professional.
4. Share the content again as your own Story with credit
Sometimes it is enough to share the message again without copying the original Story exactly. For example:
- You write a short message yourself about what someone said.
- You tag the original creator.
- You add your own photo, background, or sticker.
If you want your repost to look better, you can also experiment with your Story background, colours, stickers, and layout. A small design touch often makes a shared Story feel more like your own content.
Share an Instagram post in your Story
As well as Stories, you can also share regular Instagram posts in your Story. This is often used to give a new post extra attention, share a collaboration, or highlight someone else’s post.
How to share a feed post in your Story
- Go to the post you want to share.
- Tap the paper aeroplane icon under the post.
- Choose Add to story.
- Style the Story with text, stickers, or a background.
- Share the Story with your followers.
Can’t see this option? The creator may have turned sharing off, the account may be private, or Instagram may temporarily not show the feature in your app. Instagram explains more about sharing and visibility in the Help Centre.
Why can’t I repost a Story?
If reposting does not work, it is usually not your fault. Instagram has different settings and limits that can make the share button disappear.
| Problem | What is probably happening | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| You cannot see the Add to your story button | You are not tagged or sharing is not allowed | Ask the creator to tag you or give permission |
| The Story is gone | Stories are normally only visible for a limited time | Ask the creator to send or post the content again |
| The creator has a private account | Content from private accounts has limited visibility | Do not share without permission or use workarounds |
| Your app does not show the feature | Your Instagram app may be out of date or frozen | Update Instagram, close the app, and try again |
| You receive an error message | There may be a temporary issue | Try again later or check your internet connection |
If a Story is not available, there can be several reasons, such as an expired Story, deleted content, or changed privacy settings. If you are also reviewing who can see and interact with your account, this guide on how to delete Instagram followers carefully and quickly can help.
Smart reposting for more reach
A repost is more than simply sharing something again. If you do it well, it can lead to more replies, more profile visits, and a stronger connection with your followers.
Always add context
A Story without an explanation is easy to skip. Add something to it. Tell people why you are sharing the Story, thank the creator, or ask your followers a question.
Examples:
- “This review made our day.”
- “Who can relate to this?”
- “Thanks for stopping by!”
- “Which colour would you choose?”
This gives people a reason to reply instead of simply watching.
Tag the original creator clearly
An @mention is respectful and can also help with reach. The creator receives a notification and may share your Story again. That is exactly how many shoutouts naturally become bigger.
Use stickers that invite replies
Polls, question stickers, emoji sliders, and quizzes work well with reposts. You immediately turn a shared moment into something interactive. This is especially useful if you notice that your Stories receive a lot of views but few replies.
Save strong reposts in a Highlight
Reviews, customer photos, events, and collaborations disappear quickly if you only post them in your Story. Save the best reposts in a Highlight on your profile. Consider Highlights such as:
- Reviews
- Customers
- Events
- Press
- Results
For new visitors, this works as social proof. They immediately see that other people value your account, product, or content.
Best time to post an Instagram Story repost
Timing really matters with Stories. A repost you publish when your followers are active will usually receive views and replies faster than the same repost published at a quiet time.
There is no perfect time that works for every account. A student account, an online store, a local salon, and a fitness creator all have different audiences. However, there are times that often work well as a starting point.
| Time | Why this often works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | People check Instagram before work, school, or while commuting | Daily updates, motivation, short reposts |
| Lunch break | Many users scroll briefly during a break | Polls, reviews, light content |
| Evening | Followers have more time to watch and reply | Important reposts, customer stories, promotions |
| Weekend | People are often more relaxed and share more content themselves | Events, lifestyle, hospitality, beauty, fashion |
Use your own Instagram insights
If you have a professional account, you can view your insights in Instagram. Pay particular attention to when your followers are active and which Stories receive the most replies, taps, and profile visits.
For example, test different times for two weeks:
- Week 1: reposts in the morning and evening.
- Week 2: reposts around lunchtime and later in the evening.
- Compare which Stories received more views, replies, and sticker interactions.
Also pay attention to time zones. If many of your followers are in the same country, that is simple. If you also have many followers from other countries, a Story posted in your evening may appear in the middle of the day for part of your audience.
Later also has a detailed article about using Instagram Stories for planning and content ideas: Later on Instagram Stories.
Do you need a free app to repost an Instagram Story?
Usually not. If you are tagged, you can simply use Instagram’s built in feature. That is the easiest and safest way.
A repost app can be useful if you often want to save content, repost posts, or work with multiple accounts. But for Stories, it is wise to remain cautious. Many free apps do not work well with Stories, add a watermark, or ask for access to your account.
Only use an app if you are sure you trust it. For professional use, a planning tool is often more useful than a separate repost app, especially if you work with customer content or collaborations.
Reposting for creators, brands, and businesses
For a personal account, reposting is mostly fun and social. For creators and businesses, it can also support growth. A good repost shows that people are engaging with your account. Think of customers using your product, visitors at an event, fans sharing your content, or creators working with you.
If you want people to tag you more often, make it easy for them:
- Display your username clearly in your bio.
- Ask customers or visitors to tag you.
- Reply quickly when someone mentions you.
- Share the best mentions back to your Story.
- Create a Highlight with shared content from others.
If you want more visibility for your Instagram account, also review the basics. An active presence helps when new people reach your profile through a repost. Within the Instagram services from SocialKings, you will find options that can support your visibility. For example, you can buy Instagram followers for a stronger first impression, buy Instagram likes for extra social proof on posts, or buy Instagram views when you want to give your videos more attention.
Common mistakes when reposting Stories
Reposting without giving credit
If you share someone else’s content, visibly tag that person. It is not only respectful, but often also creates more interaction between your accounts.
Posting too many reposts in a row
A long series of shared Stories can feel cluttered. It is better to choose the best reposts and add your own context. Quality often works better than ten almost identical Stories in a row.
Sharing but not replying
If someone mentions your brand or account, also reply promptly in the DM. A simple “Thank you!” makes it more personal and increases the chance that this person will tag you again later.
Sharing private content without asking
Content from private accounts is not intended for a wide audience. Always ask permission before sharing something like that, even if you personally have access to the Story.
Frequently asked questions about reposting Instagram Stories
How do I repost an Instagram Story where I am tagged?
Open your DM, tap the notification that says you were mentioned, and choose Add to your story. You can then edit the Story and share it with your followers.
Can I repost an Instagram Story without being tagged?
Not through the official repost button. You can ask for permission, ask the creator to tag you after all, or share a screenshot or screen recording with permission.
Why can’t I see the Add to your story button?
This can happen because you were not tagged, the Story has expired, the creator has limited sharing, the account is private, or your app is not working properly.
Is a repost app safe?
That depends on the app. Be especially careful with apps that ask for your Instagram password. For Stories, Instagram’s official feature is usually the best choice.
Can I simply share someone else’s Story?
With public content, sharing may sometimes be technically possible, but what is possible is not always respectful. Ask for permission if you are not tagged, especially with personal images, customer content, or collaborations.
What is the best time to post a Story repost?
Test this with your own audience. Morning, lunchtime, and evening are good starting points, but your Instagram insights provide the best indication of when your followers are truly active.
Can someone share my repost again?
That depends on your settings, the type of content, and whether that person can share your content or the original creator’s content. If you want people to be able to share your Stories, check your privacy and sharing settings in Instagram.
Reposting an Instagram Story is easiest when you are tagged. Without a tag, it is still possible, but it comes down to permission, clear credit, and a respectful way of sharing. Always add something of your own, choose a good time, and do not make a repost feel like a simple copy. Turn it into a Story that genuinely adds something for your followers.
