Have you ever seen a funny meme or a cool photo on Instagram and wanted to share it with your own followers? You are not alone. Millions of people ask the same question every day: how do I repost this without screenshotting it? The good news is that Instagram has made this easier over the past few years. In this guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about the instagram repost button, how it works, and the best ways to reshare content the smart way.
Whether you run a business page, a fan account, or just a personal profile, knowing how to repost content properly can save you time and keep your feed looking fresh. It can also help you grow faster, since sharing good content from other creators keeps your audience engaged even on days when you do not have new content of your own. Let’s get into it.
What Is the Instagram Repost Button?
The repost button is a small feature inside Instagram that lets you share someone else’s public post to your own Story with just a couple of taps. You have probably seen the little paper-plane icon under a post. When you tap it, a new option called “Add post to your story” pops up. That is the repost button in action.
Before this feature existed, people had to take a screenshot, crop out the extra space, and then post it manually. That process was slow and often looked messy, and it never gave proper credit to the person who made the original post. Now, Instagram handles most of that for you. The app automatically pulls the image or video, adds a small sticker with the original creator’s username, and drops it right into your Story editor.
This button lives on almost every public post you scroll past. It sits right next to the heart icon and the comment bubble, so you never have to dig through menus to find it. Once you know where to look, reposting becomes second nature.
Why Instagram Added This Feature
Instagram added the repost option because sharing content is a big part of how people use social media. Think about it. When something feels funny, inspiring, or useful, your first instinct is to pass it along. Instagram noticed that users were leaving the app to use third-party repost apps, so they built a simple in-app tool to keep people inside their platform longer. It also gives credit to the original poster, which helps protect creators and keeps things fair for everyone involved.
There is also a business reason behind it. When people repost content, it spreads across more Stories, which means more overall time spent inside the app. More time in the app means more ads seen, which keeps Instagram’s advertising business healthy. So really, this feature helps creators, casual users, and Instagram all at the same time.
How to Reshare Instagram Posts (Step by Step)
If you are wondering how to reshare instagram content, the process is actually pretty simple. Here is a quick breakdown you can follow right now, whether you are on an iPhone or an Android device, since the steps are almost identical on both.
Resharing Posts to Your Story
- Open the Instagram app and find the post you want to share.
- Tap the paper-plane icon located below the photo or video.
- Tap “Add post to your story” from the menu that appears.
- The post will show up in your Story editor with a sticker attached.
- Move the sticker, add text or stickers if you want, and tap “Your Story” to publish it.
That’s it. Your followers will now see the post in your Story, and they can tap on it to visit the original creator’s profile. This is one of the fastest ways to share content because it takes less than ten seconds from start to finish.
Resharing Posts to Your Feed
Sharing a post directly to your Instagram feed is slightly different because Instagram doesn’t include a built-in option to repost feed posts the way it does for Stories If you want the post to appear as a regular feed post instead of a temporary Story, you will need to use a third-party app or manually recreate the post with credit to the original creator. We will cover some good app options a little later in this article.
Many creators actually prefer feed reposts over Story reposts because feed posts stay on the profile permanently and can be found later through hashtags or the explore page. Stories, on the other hand, disappear after 24 hours unless saved to a Highlight.
How to Repost a Instagram Photo or Video
Now let’s talk about photos and videos specifically, since these make up most of what people want to share. If you are asking how to repost a instagram photo, the steps are almost the same as resharing to your Story, but there are a few extra details worth knowing.
When you repost a photo, Instagram keeps the original quality as much as possible. However, if the original account has a private profile, you will not be able to repost their content at all. The repost button only works on public accounts. This is Instagram’s way of protecting user privacy, and it makes sense when you think about it. Nobody wants their private photos showing up on someone else’s Story without permission.
Videos work a bit differently. If the video is a Reel, tapping the share icon gives you the option to add it to your Story, send it in a direct message, or share it externally. Reels tend to be more shareable because creators often want their content to spread as far as possible, so many Reels are set up to allow easy resharing right from the start.
How to Repost an Image on Instagram Using the Native Button
Let’s break down the exact steps once more, this time focused purely on images, since that is one of the most searched topics related to reposting.
- Find the image post you like.
- Tap the paper-plane share icon.
- Choose “Add post to your story.”
- Customize the sticker placement, size, and color if you’d like.
- Post it to your Story.
If you want to know how to repost an image on instagram without it disappearing after 24 hours, you can save the Story to your Highlights. Just tap “Add to highlight” right after posting, or add it later from your profile. This way, the reposted image stays visible on your profile permanently instead of vanishing after a day, giving it a much longer life on your page.
How Can You Repost an Instagram Post Without the Button?
Sometimes the native repost button just is not enough. Maybe you want the post to show up in your main feed, or maybe the original poster has already turned off the Story sharing feature. So, how can you repost an instagram post without relying on the built-in tool?
There are a few solid workarounds:
- Screenshot and crop: The old-school method still works. Just remember to always give credit to the original creator in your caption.
- Download and re-upload: Some apps let you save a public video or photo directly to your camera roll, which you can then post like normal content.
- Use a repost app: These apps automate the whole process and usually add a small watermark with the original username.
Each method has its pros and cons. Screenshotting is free but can lower image quality, especially on smaller phone screens. Repost apps are convenient but sometimes come with ads or limited free features that ask you to pay for extra tools.
Using Third-Party Repost Apps
Third-party apps have been around for years, and they remain one of the easiest ways to repost content to your main feed instead of just your Story. These apps connect to your Instagram account, let you paste a link to the post you want, and then create a ready-to-post version complete with credit to the original creator.
Popular examples include Repost for Instagram, Regrann, and InShot’s repost tool. Most of these apps are free to download, though some charge a small fee to remove watermarks or unlock extra features like custom caption templates and scheduling tools.
Retweet Instagram App: Best Alternatives to Try
A lot of people search for a retweet instagram app because they are used to how Twitter (now X) handles resharing content. On Twitter, you can retweet a post instantly because the feature is built directly into the platform.Instagram does not have a true retweet button for the main feed, but several apps try to copy that same simple experience.
Here is a quick look at some of the top options people use today.
| App Name | Best For | Free Version Available |
| Repost for Instagram | Reposting photos and videos with credit | Yes |
| Regrann | Simple one-tap reposting | Yes |
| InShot | Editing before reposting | Yes |
| Story Saver | Saving and resharing Stories | Yes |
| Reposter | Bulk reposting for business pages | Limited |
Most of these apps work in a similar way. You copy the link of the Instagram post, paste it into the app, and the app pulls the content for you to repost. Just be careful with apps that ask for your Instagram password directly instead of using the official login system, since that can be a security risk. Always check reviews and ratings before giving any app access to your account.
How to Unrepost on Instagram (Removing a Repost)
Sometimes you change your mind after sharing something. Maybe the original post got deleted, or maybe you just do not want it on your Story anymore. Understanding how to unrepost on instagram is just as important as knowing how to repost in the first place.
Steps to Delete a Reshared Post
- Open your Story or feed post that contains the reposted content.
- Tap the three dots (or press and hold the Story) to open the options menu.
- Select “Delete” from the list.
- Confirm your choice, and the post will be removed from your profile.
If the content is on your Story, it will automatically disappear after 24 hours anyway, unless you saved it to Highlights. If you added it to a Highlight, you will need to go into that Highlight, tap “Edit Highlight,” and remove the specific Story from there.
For feed posts made using a third-party app, deleting the post works just like deleting any other post on your profile. Tap the three dots on the post, choose “Delete,” and confirm. It only takes a few seconds, and there is no limit on how many times you can delete and repost content.
Do’s and Don’ts of Reposting Content
Before you start reposting everything you see, it helps to understand some basic etiquette. The table below provides a quick and easy comparison to help you understand the differences.
Reposting Etiquette: What to Do and What to Avoid
| Do This | Avoid This |
| Always give credit to the original creator | Never remove or cover the creator’s username |
| Ask for permission on sensitive content | Don’t repost private account content |
| Use the official repost button when possible | Don’t rely only on screenshots for everything |
| Add your own caption or comment | Avoid copying captions word for word |
| Check copyright rules for music and video | Don’t repost copyrighted content without permission |
Following these simple rules keeps your account safe from copyright strikes and builds trust with your audience. Nobody likes an account that reposts everything without giving credit, and Instagram itself can remove content or restrict accounts that repeatedly break these basic rules.
Tips for Reposting Content the Right Way
Reposting is a great way to grow your account, especially if you run a meme page, a fan page, or a curated content account. Here are a few tips that can help you do it better.
First, always tag the original creator in your caption, even if the repost sticker already does this automatically. It shows respect and can even get you noticed by bigger accounts, which sometimes leads to collaborations or shoutouts.
Second, try to add value when you repost. Instead of just sharing the exact same thing, add your own thoughts, a funny caption, or a related tip. This makes your account stand out instead of feeling like a copy-paste page that offers nothing new.
Third, keep an eye on posting frequency. Reposting too much content in a short time can make your account feel spammy. Try to mix in your own original posts along with reposts to keep a good balance between fresh content and shared content.
Fourth, always check if the account you are reposting from has any specific rules. Some creators post in their bio that they do not allow reposts, and it is best to respect that request, even if the content is technically public.
Fifth, pay attention to timing. Reposting something right after it goes viral usually works better than waiting a week, since your followers are more likely to have already seen older content elsewhere.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reposting
Even experienced Instagram users make mistakes when it comes to reposting. Here are a few things to watch out for.
One common mistake is forgetting to check if the account is public. If you try to repost from a private account, it simply will not work, and you might waste time trying to figure out why the share button seems to be missing.
Another mistake is using low-quality screenshots instead of the native repost button or a proper repost app. This can make your Story or feed look unprofessional, especially if you run a business account where image quality matters for your brand.
People also forget to update or refresh repost apps. Instagram changes its rules and design often, so an outdated app might stop working correctly or violate Instagram’s terms of service, which could put your account at risk of being flagged.
Lastly, some users repost way too much content from the same account, which can come across as favoritism or even spam. Try to keep a nice variety of sources when curating content for your page, so your feed feels fresh and balanced instead of repetitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repost a video the same way as a photo? Yes, the process is almost identical. Just tap the share icon and choose to add it to your Story.
Does the original poster get notified when I repost their content? Yes, in most cases, they will get a notification that you added their post to your Story.
Can I repost content from a private account? No, the repost button only works with public accounts.
Will reposting hurt my own engagement? Not necessarily, as long as you balance reposts with your own original content and give proper credit to the source.
Is there a way to repost directly to my feed without an app? Currently, Instagram does not offer a built-in way to repost directly to your feed. You will need a third-party app or manual recreation with credit.
What happens if I repost copyrighted music in a video? Instagram may mute the audio or remove the post entirely if it detects unauthorized copyrighted music, so it is best to check before posting.
Final Thoughts
The instagram repost button has made sharing content so much easier than it used to be. Instead of dealing with screenshots and cropping, you can now share a post to your Story in just a couple of taps. And if you want to go further and post to your main feed, there are plenty of trustworthy apps that can help you do that while still giving credit to the original creator.
At the end of the day, reposting is about sharing things you love while respecting the people who made them. Follow the tips in this guide, stick to the do’s and don’ts, and you will build an account that people trust and enjoy following. Happy reposting!