You found a Reel your followers would love. Now you want to share it without filming anything yourself. Good instinct. Reposting is one of the easiest ways to stay active on Instagram without burning out on new content.
The catch: Instagram changed the rules in 2025. There’s a real repost button now, but it doesn’t show up for everyone yet. So you need to know all the options, not just one.
Here’s how to repost Instagram Reels in 2026, every method that actually works.
Quick Answer: How to Repost Instagram Reels
Instagram’s built-in ways:
- Add to Story: Tap the share button → “Add Reel to your Story”
- Send in DM: Share privately with specific followers
- Copy Link: Share the URL on other platforms
And the newest one, the native Repost button, which sends a Reel straight to your feed. More on that below.
The native Repost button (the big change for 2026)
Back in August 2025, Instagram rolled out a feature people had been asking for since forever: a real repost button. You’ll see it as a two-arrow loop icon, sitting right next to Like and Share under public Reels.
Tap it, add an optional note if you want, and hit Save. That’s it.
The reposted Reel can show up in your followers’ feeds, and it lives in a separate “Reposts” tab on your profile. Anyone visiting your page can browse everything you’ve shared there.
One thing worth knowing: the original creator gets notified both when you repost and when you remove it. No silent reposting. To remove one, open the reposted content, tap the same loop icon, and confirm.
There’s a snag, though. Not everyone has the button yet. Instagram is still rolling it out unevenly, so you might see it on one account and not another. If you don’t have it, the methods below still get the job done.
Method 1: Add a Reel to your Story
This is the fastest way to repost Instagram Reels, and almost everyone can do it.
- Open the Reel you want to share.
- Tap the paper airplane (share) icon below the Reel.
- Choose “Add Reel to your Story.”
- Customize it. Add a sticker, text, or your own reaction.
- Tap Share.
The Reel shows up as a clickable preview that links back to the original. It’s not a copy. Tap it and you go straight to the creator’s post.
The downside: Stories vanish after 24 hours. Great for a quick shout-out, not great if you want the share to stick around.
This method works for public Reels, and for private accounts too, but only people who also follow that private account will see it.
Method 2: Send a Reel in a DM
Sometimes you don’t want to repost Instagram Reels publicly. You just want one friend, or a small group, to see it.
- Tap the share (paper airplane) icon on the Reel.
- Pick the people or group you want to send it to.
- Add a message if you feel like it.
- Hit Send.
That’s the whole thing. Private, quick, no audience involved. I use this constantly for stuff that’s funny but not feed-worthy.
Method 3: Copy the link and share it elsewhere
Want to put a Reel on Twitter/X, WhatsApp, or a Slack channel? Copy the link.
- Tap the share icon on the Reel.
- Select “Copy Link.”
- Paste it wherever you want.
Anyone who clicks gets sent to the Reel inside Instagram. Simple, and it works on every platform.
Method 4: Re-upload as your own Reel (the permanent option)
The native button is the cleanest permanent repost. But if you don’t have it and you still want a Reel to live on your feed forever, you can re-upload it.
First, get permission. Send the creator a quick DM:
Hi! I love your Reel about [topic].
Can I repost it on my account with full credit?
Most creators say yes. They get exposure, you get content. Once they agree, download the highest-quality version you can, then upload it as a new Reel.
Credit them clearly in the first line of your caption. Something like:
Reel by @originalcreator 🙌
Sharing this because [your reason].
#Repost #Credit
Skip screen recording if you can. It tanks the video quality and looks cheap.
A warning, though. Don’t build a whole account on re-uploads. Curation-only accounts worked in 2022. In 2026 they actively hurt you, because Instagram’s algorithm rewards original content. Keep reposts as seasoning, not the main dish. A handful a month is plenty.
Comparison: which method should you use?
| Method | Where it shows | How long it lasts | Creator credited? | Needs permission? |
| Native Repost button | Followers’ feeds + Reposts tab | Permanent (until removed) | Automatically | No (public Reels only) |
| Add to Story | Your Story | 24 hours | Automatically (tagged) | No |
| Send in DM | Private inbox | Stays in chat | N/A | No |
| Copy Link | Any platform | Permanent | Links to original | No |
| Re-upload as Reel | Your feed | Permanent | You must add it | Yes |
Quick read on this: if you have the native button, use it. If not, Story sharing covers most needs. Re-uploading is the only one that asks for permission, and it’s the only one where you carry the responsibility for crediting.
A few rules to keep you out of trouble
Always credit the original creator. Even when Instagram does it automatically, a tag or a name in your caption is good manners and keeps you on the right side of copyright.
Don’t repost private content publicly. If someone’s account is private, their Reels stay inside that circle for a reason.
Watch your repost-to-original ratio. If your feed is mostly other people’s work, the algorithm notices, and so do your followers.
Also Read: Best Social Media Scheduling Tools
Also Read: How to Unblock Someone on Instagram
FAQs
Do creators get notified when I repost their Reels?
It depends on the method. With the native Repost button, yes, they’re notified when you repost and when you remove it. With Story sharing, they can see who shared their post through their insights. If you re-upload a Reel manually, they won’t get an automatic notification, which is exactly why you ask permission first.
What’s the difference between sharing to a Story and reposting to my feed?
Sharing to a Story is temporary. It’s a 24-hour clickable preview that links back to the original. Reposting to your feed with the native button is permanent and lives in your Reposts tab. Re-uploading creates a brand-new post you fully own and control.
Why don’t I see the Repost button?
Instagram is still rolling it out account by account. It’s being A/B tested, so different users get it at different times. There’s no way to force it. Check back, or just use Story sharing in the meantime.
Can I repost Instagram Reels from a private account?
Only to people who already follow that private account. Private content can’t be made public through any method, and you shouldn’t try.
How many Reels can I repost per month?
There’s no official limit, but treat 8 to 10 reposts a month as a soft ceiling. Beyond that, you risk looking like a curation account, which the algorithm now works against.
Is screen recording a Reel a good idea?
It’s a last resort. The quality drops, you lose the audio sync sometimes, and it usually shows. If you can download a clean file with permission, do that instead.
Wrapping up
Reposting Instagram Reels in 2026 comes down to picking the right tool for the job. Got the native button? Use it. Want a quick share? Story it. Want it forever on your feed? Ask, then re-upload with credit.
Share what your audience would’ve saved anyway, credit the people who made it, and you’ll do fine.
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