When the native share works
When the paper-airplane button shows up
Instagram shows the native share-to-story option on posts where the creator has enabled re-sharing AND on posts where you are tagged. Many creators disable re-sharing at the account level for privacy or commercial reasons. The paper-airplane button is your fastest path when it exists, but it does not always exist.
Creator must have re-sharing enabled (account-level setting)
If you are tagged, share works regardless of the account setting
Some content types (Live, certain ad formats) cannot be shared via story
The workaround method
When the share button is missing
When the paper-airplane is hidden, you have two workarounds. Screenshot the post, then post the screenshot to your story with the creator's @ handle tagged in your story. Or DM the creator asking permission to share, then use one of the regram apps. The screenshot method works always; the regram apps only work when permission has been granted.
Screenshot + handle tag — always works
Regram apps — request permission, then forward with attribution
Never share without credit, even when the share button exists
Etiquette and permission
Three rules that keep creators happy
Even with the native share button, three rules keep you on the right side of the creators whose posts you spotlight. Tag the original handle prominently in your story so credit is unmissable. Add context for why you are sharing (otherwise it reads as random repost). And for commercial accounts, DM permission first even when the share button works — many brands have unwritten rules the share button does not enforce.
Tag the original handle prominently in your story
Add a one-line context — why are you sharing this?
DM permission first for commercial or brand accounts
1
Open the post and check for the paper-airplane icon
Tap the post, look below the photo for the paper-airplane button (between the heart and the comment). If you see "Add post to your story", the native share is available. If you only see Send to friends or no airplane at all, jump to step 3.
2
If native share is available, tap and customise
Tap Add Post to Your Story. Instagram opens the story composer with the post pre-placed. Resize, add the creator handle as a sticker (not just in the post embed), add a one-line context, then post.
3
If native share is missing, screenshot the post
Long-press the post or screenshot the screen. Open Stories, upload the screenshot, tag the creator with the @ mention sticker in a visible position, and add context. This is the universal fallback when the native share is disabled.
4
For commercial reposts, DM first
Brand accounts often have unwritten policies around resharing — products, campaigns, or partnership content. Send a one-line DM asking before sharing. Most brands say yes; the ones that do not get a polite reason to ignore your future content.
Share post to story FAQ
Quick answers on native sharing, the workaround, and permission etiquette.
How do I share someone else's Instagram post to my story?
Tap the paper-airplane icon below the post, pick Add Post to Your Story. If the option does not appear, the creator has disabled re-sharing — use the screenshot method instead. Always tag the creator with their @ handle in your story regardless of which method you use.
Why can I not share an Instagram post to my story?
The creator has disabled re-sharing for that account, or the post type does not support story sharing (Lives, some ads). Use the screenshot workaround — screenshot the post, post it to your story with the creator @ tag, and add a one-line context.
Does Instagram notify the creator when I share their post to my story?
Yes, if you use the native share-to-story feature. The creator gets a notification that their post has been added to your story. If you screenshot and post manually, the creator only sees it if you tag their @ handle (the @ tag triggers the notification, not the screenshot).
How do I share my own Instagram post to my story?
Same paper-airplane icon, Add Post to Your Story. Your own posts always allow sharing — the account-level disable only affects others sharing your content. This is a common way to drive feed visits from your story audience.
Can I add multiple posts to one story slide?
Yes — after sharing the first post via paper-airplane, while still in the story composer, tap the sticker icon and choose the multi-photo sticker, or add another post via the gallery. You can stack up to about 4-5 posts on one slide before it gets unreadable.
How do I share a post to story without the airplane icon?
Screenshot the post, then post the screenshot to your story. Tag the creator with their @ handle prominently in the story copy. Add context. This is the universal fallback when the native share is hidden by the creator's account settings.
Is it OK to share someone's post without permission?
For personal accounts, generally yes if you credit and use the native share button (which gives the creator a notification and the ability to remove the share). For commercial accounts, brand accounts, and influencers, DM for permission first — the unwritten norm is to ask.
How do I credit the original creator when sharing?
Tag the creator's @ handle prominently in your story copy (not just in the embedded post). Add a one-line note about why you are sharing it. The native share embeds the original handle, but standalone @ tags trigger a creator notification and make the credit unmissable.
Can I schedule a story that shares another post?
Yes if you use the screenshot workaround — schedule the screenshot to publish via PostNext or a similar scheduler. The native paper-airplane share has to happen in real time; you cannot schedule it because the share state changes if the original post gets edited or deleted.
How do I share an Instagram Reel to my story?
Tap the paper-airplane icon below the Reel, pick Add Reel to Your Story. Instagram opens the story composer with the Reel as a video sticker. Resize, add the creator @ handle, post. Same flow as sharing a feed post.
Why can I no longer share posts to story?
Two common causes — Instagram tweaked the share setting for some accounts (the option moved or was temporarily disabled), or the specific creator turned off re-sharing. Check whether the share option works on other posts; if it works elsewhere, the issue is creator-side, not account-side.
Can I edit the shared post in my story?
You can resize and reposition it, add stickers around it, add text overlay, and add context. You cannot crop the post itself or hide the creator handle — that is by design to maintain attribution.
Does the shared post in my story link back to the original?
Yes — viewers tapping the shared post in your story go directly to the original post. This is one of the main values of sharing via story (vs screenshot) — it sends traffic back to the creator instead of dead-ending in your story.
How long does the shared story stay up?
24 hours, same as any other story. After that it expires from your story but persists in your archive if you have story archive enabled. The original post is unaffected by your story's lifecycle.
Can I share an Instagram post to multiple stories at once?
No — each share is one story slide. To create a sequence of stories that all feature the same post, share once, then re-share via the workaround for each subsequent slide. Or compose all slides upfront and use a scheduler to publish them in sequence.
How do I share to story from Instagram on desktop?
Instagram desktop has limited story-creation features. The paper-airplane share is mobile-only in most regions. For desktop story creation, use Meta Business Suite or a third-party scheduler like PostNext that handles cross-device story publishing.
Schedule story shares without juggling apps
PostNext lets you queue story content — including screenshot-shares and standalone story slides — to publish at your audience's peak hours. The native paper-airplane share stays manual; everything else gets scheduled.