Tutorial

March 3, 2026 · Updated Aug 28, 2026 · 10 min read · PostLink Team

How to Repost on Instagram in 2026 (Stories, Feed Posts + Reels)

Repost an Instagram Story, feed post, or Reel in 2026 — what's possible natively, when you need a third-party app, and the credit etiquette that prevents account strikes.

Can You Repost on Instagram?

Instagram has native repost functionality — but only for Stories. For feed posts and Reels on your grid, you need Instagram's "Add to your story" feature (Story-only) or a third-party app / manual re-upload with credit.

Understanding which method fits your goal saves time and avoids copyright issues. Here is how to repost every type of Instagram content in 2026.

How to Repost an Instagram Story

When you're tagged in a Story

If someone tags you in their Story, you can reshare it directly to your own Story.

1. You receive a DM notification: "[Name] mentioned you in their story"
2. Tap Add to your story
3. Customize the layout (resize, add text, stickers) if desired
4. Tap Your Story to share

The original creator is credited automatically. This is the cleanest native repost path on Instagram.

When you're not tagged

Instagram does not have a native "repost Story" button for content that does not tag you. Options:

• Ask the creator to tag you so you can reshare
• Screenshot or screen record (no notification is sent for Story screenshots — see our guide on Instagram screenshot notifications)
• Use a third-party tool (use carefully and always credit)

Screenshot reposts look low-quality and skip native attribution. Prefer the tag-and-reshare flow when possible.

How to Repost an Instagram Feed Post to Your Story

This is Instagram's most flexible built-in repost feature. You can share any public post to your Story.

1. Find the post in your feed or on someone's profile
2. Tap the paper plane (Share) icon below the post
3. Tap Add to your story
4. The post appears as a sticker you can resize and reposition
5. Add text, GIFs, or other elements as desired
6. Tap Your Story or Close Friends

The original creator is automatically credited on the repost sticker. Viewers can tap it to go to the original post. The creator receives a notification that you shared their post.

Note: This only works for public accounts. Posts from private accounts do not show the "Add to your story" option unless you follow them and they have approved your follow request.

How to Repost a Reel to Your Story

Identical to reposting a feed post:

1. Open the Reel
2. Tap the Share (paper plane) icon
3. Tap Add to your story
4. Resize or reposition the Reel preview sticker
5. Share to your Story

The Reel plays as a preview in your Story, and viewers can tap to watch the full Reel on the creator's profile.

How to Repost a Feed Post to Your Feed (Grid)

Instagram does not have a native button to repost someone's photo or video directly to your feed grid. Options:

Option 1 — Repost apps

Apps like Repost for Instagram, Reposta, or InShot let you paste a post URL and export an image or video with a credit watermark.

1. Copy the post link (Share → Copy link)
2. Open the repost app and paste the URL
3. Choose watermark style and credit placement
4. Save to your camera roll
5. Upload as a new Instagram post with caption credit

Option 2 — Screenshot / screen record + manual post

Save the content, upload it as a new post, and tag the original creator in both the caption and as a photo tag. This is standard practice for user-generated content (UGC) reposts.

Caption template:

Photo by @originalcreator — thanks for sharing! #[yourbrand]

Option 3 — Collab posts (best option for partners)

If you have a relationship with the creator, use Instagram's Collab feature. The original creator creates the post and invites you as a collaborator — it appears on both profiles with shared engagement (same likes, comments, view count).

To set up a Collab: when creating a post, tap Tag people → Invite Collaborator → search for the person.

Collabs are the only native way to put someone else's content on your grid with full attribution and shared metrics.

How to Repost a Reel to Your Feed Grid

Native sharing only covers Stories. To put a Reel on your grid:

1. Collab invite — Best if the creator agrees
2. Repost app — Export with watermark and credit
3. Download + re-upload — Only with explicit permission; always credit in caption and tag

Never remove watermarks or crop out @handles. Instagram and creators both treat that as a rights violation.

How to Unrepost on Instagram

Remove a Story repost

1. Go to your Story (tap your profile circle)
2. Find the reposted content
3. Tap More (...) → Delete

Remove a feed repost

If you reposted via a third-party app, delete the post as you would any normal post: ⋯ → Delete.

Instagram Repost Etiquette

Failure to credit can trigger DMCA strikes, account warnings, or lost partnership opportunities. The 10 seconds it takes to tag someone is never worth skipping.

Native vs. Third-Party Reposting

For brands, Collab and Story shares are the safest paths. Third-party reposts work for UGC workflows when you have clear permission.

Tips for Brand UGC Repost Workflows

Run a branded hashtag campaign. "#ShowUsYourSetup" gives implied permission to repost tagged content. State terms in your bio or campaign page.

Create a repost approval DM template. When someone posts great UGC, DM: "Love this — OK if we share on our feed with credit?"

Batch Story reposts. Share 2–3 customer posts to your Story per week. Native sharing is fast and notifies creators positively.

Keep a permission log. For feed reposts, note who approved and when. If a dispute arises, you have a record.

Separate UGC from partner content. Collabs with influencers use the Collab feature; customer photos use Story shares or credited reposts.

Common Instagram Reposting Mistakes

1. Reposting private account content

You cannot natively share private posts to your Story. Screen recording bypasses that — and violates trust.

2. Skipping credit on feed reposts

The fastest way to lose a creator relationship or get a copyright claim.

3. Assuming Story reposts count as grid content

Story reposts disappear in 24 hours. They do not fill your feed calendar.

4. Using repost apps that strip metadata

Some apps remove creator handles from watermarks. Inspect exports before posting.

5. Reposting low-resolution screenshots

UGC deserves the same visual quality as your originals. Ask the creator for the original file when possible.

Reposting Across Instagram and Other Platforms

A Reel you repost to your Story might also work as a TikTok or YouTube Short — but only if you have rights to the underlying content. UGC repost rights rarely extend to off-platform use.

For your own original Reels, cross-posting to TikTok and YouTube is a separate workflow from reposting someone else's Instagram content. Film once, export clean (no Instagram watermark), and publish natively on each platform.

Summary

If you manage an Instagram account for a brand and regularly curate UGC or partner content, keep a clear permission workflow and prefer native Story shares and Collabs over anonymous re-uploads. Consistency on original posts still drives most growth — reposts support community, not replace your content calendar.