Reposting someone else’s Reel on Instagram is one of those things that sounds simple until you actually try to do it. Instagram doesn’t have a single, obvious “repost” button the way Twitter/X does, so most people end up with a workaround — some better than others.

This guide covers every working method for reposting Reels in 2026, which approach is best for which situation, and how to properly credit the original creator.

Why Instagram Doesn’t Have a Simple Repost Button

Instagram’s lack of a native repost feature is intentional. The platform is built around original content, and a one-click repost system would flood feeds with duplicate posts — the same problem that made Twitter timelines feel repetitive for years.

Instead, Instagram routes “sharing” through Stories, Collaborations, and direct messages. Each of these serves a slightly different purpose.

Method 1: Share a Reel to Your Story

This is the built-in, straightforward option. When you share a Reel to your Story, the original creator gets attribution automatically — their username and a “tap to see the original post” link are embedded in the Story card.

How to do it:

  1. Open the Reel you want to share
  2. Tap the paper airplane icon (Share) below the Reel
  3. Tap “Add to Story”
  4. Customize the placement of the Reel card on your Story canvas (move it, resize it, add stickers or text)
  5. Tap “Share to Story”

The Reel appears in your Story as a card with the creator’s username. Anyone who taps it goes directly to the original Reel.

Limitations:

  • Stories disappear after 24 hours (unless you save them to Highlights)
  • The Reel appears as a card, not playing directly in your Story feed by default
  • This doesn’t add the Reel to your permanent feed

Best for: Quickly sharing a Reel you found with your followers, giving credit naturally, recommending content.

Method 2: Collab Posts (Appears on Both Profiles)

Instagram’s Collab feature lets two accounts co-author a single post. The post appears on both profiles, shows both usernames, and the view count and comments are shared. This is different from reposting — you and the creator are co-publishing.

How to use Collabs:

  1. Create a new Reel (or use an existing draft)
  2. Before posting, tap “Tag People”
  3. Tap “Invite Collaborator”
  4. Search for the creator’s account
  5. Post the Reel — the creator receives a collaboration request
  6. Once they accept, the Reel appears on both profiles

The catch: You need the creator’s agreement. The creator has to accept the collaboration invite, and they can decline. This isn’t a unilateral repost — it’s a joint publication.

Best for: Partnerships, co-created content, brands featuring creator content with their consent.

Method 3: Download and Repost to Your Feed (With Permission)

This is what most people are actually trying to do when they want to “repost” — put someone else’s Reel directly in their own feed. Instagram doesn’t have a built-in way to do this.

The process involves:

  1. Downloading the Reel (using a tool like ReelClick)
  2. Getting explicit permission from the original creator
  3. Reuploading the video with proper credit

On permission: This is not optional. Downloading a video doesn’t transfer any rights. You need the creator’s explicit permission to repost their content as part of your feed, not just passive consent assumed from a public post. Direct message the creator, explain what you want to do, and get their okay.

On crediting: If a creator gives permission, credit them:

  • Tag them in the post (@username)
  • Mention them in the caption (“Reel by @username — shared with permission”)
  • Tag them in the video using the “Tag People” feature

What to avoid:

  • Reposting without permission and hoping the creator doesn’t notice
  • Removing the creator’s username or watermark from the original
  • Claiming the content as your own or presenting it ambiguously

Best for: Brands featuring UGC (user-generated content), curators who’ve gotten consent, repurposing your own Reels across platforms.

Method 4: Third-Party Repost Apps

Several apps are built specifically for reposting Instagram content. They typically work by downloading the Reel and watermarking it with the original creator’s username before saving it to your camera roll, which you then reupload.

The most commonly used are:

  • Reposta (iOS)
  • Regrann (Android)
  • InstaRepost (both platforms)

These apps add a small attribution banner to the video. The attribution is visible but typically appears as a small overlay in a corner of the video.

Limitations of third-party repost apps:

  • They add their own branding alongside the attribution
  • The attributed username appears as a text overlay, not as a proper Instagram tag
  • You still need the creator’s permission — the app handles attribution formatting, not legal rights
  • App store availability changes; some disappear or get removed

Best for: Casual reposting where you’ve already gotten permission and want a quick attribution overlay.

The Right Way to Credit a Creator When Reposting

Regardless of method, how you credit matters. A vague “credit to the owner” caption is not proper attribution — it’s a phrase designed to look like credit while providing none.

Do this instead:

  • Tag them directly in the post: Use Instagram’s “Tag People” feature so the creator’s username is linked on the post itself
  • Mention them in the caption: Write “Reel by @username” or “Via @username” — the @mention must be clickable
  • Include context: If you got permission, say so (“Shared with permission from @username”)
  • Don’t alter the original: Don’t trim credits, remove text overlays the creator added, or modify the content in a way that obscures who made it

What About Reposting Your Own Reels?

If you want to repost one of your own Reels — for example, moving it from one account to another, or reposting a deleted Reel — the process is straightforward:

  1. Download your own Reel from Instagram (go to the post → ⋯ → “Save” or use a downloader for higher quality)
  2. Or use Instagram’s official data export to get your Reels in original quality
  3. Reupload as a new post

You own the rights to your own content, so no permission is needed. The only thing to consider is that reposting an old Reel as “new” can feel inauthentic — adding context (“throwback” or “from our archive”) keeps it honest.

Can You Schedule a Repost in Advance?

Not natively through Instagram. The app doesn’t support scheduled posts without a third-party tool.

Tools like Buffer, Later, and Meta Business Suite (free) allow you to schedule Reels to go live at a specific time. The workflow would be:

  1. Download the Reel you want to repost (with permission)
  2. Upload it to your scheduling tool
  3. Set the time and caption with proper attribution
  4. The tool posts it automatically at the scheduled time

This is useful for brands managing multiple accounts or content calendars.

Reposting vs. Sharing: What’s the Difference?

Sharing (via Story or DM) distributes a link or card that points back to the original post. The original creator keeps full control, the view count stays on their post, and you’re acting as a referral channel.

Reposting (uploading the video yourself) creates a new copy on your profile. The original creator gets no credit unless you provide it manually, and the view count goes to your version, not theirs.

From the creator’s perspective, sharing is almost always preferred — it sends people to their content. A repost, even with credit, splits traffic and can dilute search results for their content.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reposting Reels

Can I repost a Reel without the original creator knowing? Technically yes, but it’s not appropriate without permission. Instagram doesn’t notify creators when their content is reposted. However, using someone’s content without permission can result in a copyright strike if they report it.

Does reposting a Reel affect the original creator’s view count? Yes — if you repost the video as a new upload, views on your version don’t count toward their original. Only the “Share to Story” and DM share methods benefit the original creator.

Can I repost a Reel from a private account? No — and attempting to do so is a clear violation of the creator’s privacy settings. Private accounts restrict their content to followers only. Downloading or reposting that content without permission is particularly inappropriate.

What if a creator asks me to take down a repost? Remove it immediately. A request from the original creator is grounds for takedown, regardless of whether you credited them. Crediting doesn’t override copyright ownership.

Is there a limit on how many times a Reel can be shared? Instagram allows repeated sharing to Stories and DMs. There’s no stated limit on sharing, though very rapid sharing at scale may trigger platform limits.

Summary

The cleanest, safest way to “repost” a Reel on Instagram is the Share to Story function — it’s built in, automatic attribution is included, and the original creator benefits. If you need it in your permanent feed, you need the creator’s explicit permission first.

For your own Reels, download them using ReelClick and reupload whenever you need — your content, no permission required.