Want to showcase someone else’s content or resurface your own post through Stories? Instagram makes this easy with a few taps. In this guide, you’ll learn the step-by-step process, common issues that may block the feature, and pro tips to make your shared Story stand out.
Sharing an Instagram Post to Your Story – Quick Guide
Here’s how to quickly share any public Instagram post to your Story:
- Find the Post: Navigate to the Instagram post you want to share. This can be your own post or another user’s post, as long as their account is public and they haven’t restricted resharing.
- Tap the Paper Plane Icon: This icon is located directly beneath the post, next to the comment and like icons.
- Select “Add to Story”: A menu will pop up. Tap on “Add to story.” This opens the Story editor with the post embedded.
- Customize Before Sharing: You can resize the post preview, add stickers, music, GIFs, or text. This is where you personalize the Story for engagement.
- Tap “Your Story” or “Close Friends”: Once you’re ready, post it. The original post’s username will remain visible, and users can tap through to view the full post.
This quick method works on both iOS and Android, making it a universal way to share a post on Instagram with added visibility through Stories.
Why You Might Not See the “Add Post to Story” Option
If the “Add to Story” button doesn’t appear, you’re not alone. There are a few common reasons this feature might be missing and luckily, most of them have simple fixes.
The Account Is Private
You can only share posts from public Instagram accounts to your Story. If you’re trying to share a post from a private account, the option will not appear even if you follow them. Instagram restricts sharing in order to respect the privacy of users who haven’t made their content publicly visible.
Sharing Permissions Are Turned Off
Even if the account is public, the user might have manually disabled resharing of their posts to Stories. Here’s how that works:
- Instagram allows users to toggle off the “Allow Resharing to Stories” option in their settings.
- If this is off, others won’t see the option to reshare that user’s posts, even if they are public.
There’s no workaround for this unless the original poster enables it again in their settings.
You’re Using the Web Version of Instagram
The web version of Instagram (accessed via browser) doesn’t support all app features and resharing a post to your Story is one of them. You must use the mobile app to access the “Add Post to Story” option.
To fix this:
- Download the Instagram app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
- Log in and try again from the mobile app interface.
Your App Needs an Update
An outdated version of the app may not support the latest sharing features. If none of the above issues apply, updating the app could solve the problem.
To update:
- Open your device’s app store.
- Search for Instagram.
- Tap “Update” if available.
- Reopen the app and try sharing the post again.
Keeping your app updated ensures you have access to the most current features and bug fixes.
How to Make Shared Posts More Engaging in Stories
Just resharing a post might not grab attention. Enhancing it with creative tools can boost engagement and keep your audience interested. Here’s how to do that effectively:
Add Stickers, GIFs, or Music
Instagram offers a wide range of design elements to help you customize a Story:
- Stickers like location, mentions, or hashtags increase reach.
- GIFs add motion and fun to otherwise static content.
- Music enhances mood or context, making your Story more dynamic.
To access these:
- Tap the sticker icon after selecting a post to share.
- Choose from trending GIFs, emoji sliders, or music from Instagram’s library.
Provide Personal Commentary
Adding your own take can make reshared content feel more genuine. You might:
- Explain why you’re sharing the post.
- Add context for your audience.
- Highlight a specific quote or moment from the original.
Use the text tool to type your message, change fonts, or add backgrounds to make it pop.
Use Polls or Questions
Interactive elements like polls and question boxes drive engagement. Use them to:
- Ask for feedback on the shared content.
- Start a conversation based on the post’s topic.
- Let your followers choose what type of content they want more of.
This is especially useful for creators, businesses, or anyone aiming to improve Story interactions.
Table: Instagram Post Sharing – Troubleshooting Overview
Here’s a quick breakdown of what might prevent you from resharing a post and how to solve it:
| Problem | Why It Happens | Solution |
| No “Add to Story” Option | Private account or disabled sharing | Ask user to enable resharing |
| Can’t find the option on desktop | Not supported on web version | Use the mobile app |
| App not showing option | Outdated app version | Update the Instagram app |
| Post from personal saved collection | Saved posts can’t be reshared | Visit original post to reshare |
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