You’ve been there. You’re scrolling through your feed, and you see a post that is just—chef’s kiss—perfect. Maybe it’s a hilarious meme, a gorgeous sunset, or a friend’s birthday shoutout that you’re actually in. Your first instinct is to hit that little paper airplane icon and blast it out to your own followers. But then you realize something's wrong. The button isn't doing what you want. You’re stuck.
Honestly, figuring out how to share someone else's instagram story is one of those things that should be intuitive but frequently feels like a puzzle designed by a mischievous developer. Instagram is incredibly picky about privacy. It isn't just about clicking a button; it’s about permissions, tags, and whether the account you're looking at is public or locked down tighter than a vault.
If you aren't tagged, the "Add to Story" button basically vanishes into thin air. It's frustrating. We’ve all tried the awkward screenshot method, which usually ends up looking grainy and unprofessional. But there are better ways to handle this, depending on the situation.
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Why the "Add to Story" button isn't showing up
The most common reason you can't share a story is that the original creator didn't tag you. It’s that simple. Instagram’s default setting for "Reshare to Stories" requires a direct @mention. If your handle isn't typed out on their screen, the app assumes you don't have the right to broadcast that content to your own audience.
Privacy settings play a massive role here too. Even if someone tags you, if their account is private, your followers who don't follow them won't be able to see the content anyway. Instagram blocks the resharing of private account stories to protect the user's "walled garden" experience. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has often discussed the platform's focus on "private sharing" via DMs, which explains why they make public broadcasting a bit more of a hurdle.
Sometimes, people just turn off the resharing toggle. Go into your own settings right now—look under "Sharing and Remixes." You’ll see a toggle that says "Allow reshare to stories." If a creator has this flipped off, you’re hitting a dead end regardless of your tag status. It’s their right, but it sure makes curated sharing a headache for the rest of us.
The direct method: When you're actually tagged
When the stars align and your friend tags you, the process is a breeze. You’ll get a notification in your Direct Messages. It’ll say "[Username] mentioned you in their story." Right there, in blue text, is the magic link: "Add to your story."
Click it.
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You’ll be taken to the story editor. Here’s a pro tip: don’t just post it as a tiny square in the middle of the screen. Pinch and zoom to fill the frame, or tap the image to change the border style. You can add your own stickers, text, or music on top of it. It’s a layer-based system. Your additions live on top of their original content. Once you’re happy, hit "Your Story" at the bottom. Done.
How to share someone else's instagram story when you aren't tagged
This is where things get tricky. You want to share a post from a public account—maybe a brand or a celebrity—but they didn't tag you (obviously).
- The Grid Post Workaround: If the content is a permanent post on their profile (a photo or a Reel) and not just a story, you can share it easily. Tap the paper airplane under the post. Select "Add to story." This works because grid posts are inherently meant for discovery, unlike stories which are ephemeral.
- The Screenshot (The Last Resort): If it’s a story and you aren't tagged, you might have to screenshot it. Just be careful. While Instagram doesn't currently notify users when you screenshot a story (unlike Snapchat), it’s still good etiquette to credit them. Use the "Text" tool to type out "@[username]" so your followers know where the content came from.
- Screen Recording for Video: If it’s a video story, use your phone’s built-in screen recorder. Crop the video in your camera roll afterward to remove the Instagram UI (the reply bar and the top battery icons) before uploading it to your own story. It looks way cleaner.
Using third-party apps: Is it worth the risk?
You’ll see a dozen apps in the App Store promising to help you "repost" stories. Personally? I’d stay away. Most of these apps require you to log in with your Instagram credentials. That is a massive security red flag. You're basically handing over your password to a third-party developer who might not have the best intentions—or the best security. Plus, Instagram’s API is constantly changing, meaning these apps break all the time. Stick to the manual methods. They're safer and won't get your account flagged for "suspicious activity."
Etiquette and the "unspoken rules" of resharing
Just because you can share something doesn't always mean you should. Context matters. If you’re sharing a post from a small creator or an artist, resharing to your story is a huge compliment—it helps their reach. But if you’re screenshotting a private photo of someone’s kid or a personal moment, that’s a quick way to get muted or blocked.
Always check if the person has a "Do Not Repost" disclaimer in their bio. A lot of digital artists are very protective of their work because of how easily it gets stolen without credit. If you're unsure, just send a quick DM. "Hey, love this! Mind if I share it to my story?" It takes ten seconds and builds a much better community vibe.
Dealing with the "Link" problem
One common mistake people make when figuring out how to share someone else's instagram story is forgetting the links. If the original story had a "Link" sticker, that sticker will not be clickable on your reshared story. It becomes a static image.
If you want your followers to be able to click that link, you have to manually add a new Link sticker on your end. Ask the original poster for the URL or find it yourself, then use the "Stickers" menu in your story editor to overlay a functional link. It’s a bit of extra work, but without it, your share is a dead end for your audience.
Practical steps for a perfect reshare
If you want your shared stories to actually look good and drive engagement, follow these steps:
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- Check the background: When you share a post to your story, Instagram picks a default background color based on the image. You can change this. Tap the "Draw" tool, pick a color, and long-press on the background to fill the whole screen with a solid color that matches your aesthetic.
- Add context: Don't just post a "naked" share. Tell people why you're sharing it. "Obsessed with this" or "Thought you guys would find this helpful" goes a long way.
- Tag the creator again: Even if their name is at the top, tagging them again with a mention sticker makes it easier for your followers to click through to their profile.
- Mind the margins: Don't put text or stickers too close to the top or bottom of the screen. On some phones, the UI elements will cover up your content. Keep your "safe zone" in the middle 80% of the screen.
To make sure your resharing game is top-tier, start by auditing your own settings. Go to your profile, hit the three lines in the top right, and navigate to "Sharing and Remixes." Ensure your "Allow others to share your story" is turned on if you want people to spread your content. If you're trying to share someone else's content and the button isn't there, quickly check if it's a grid post instead—often, the content you're looking for exists in both places, and the grid version is much easier to move over to your own story feed.