How to Share a Reel on Facebook from App or Instagram
Learn how to share Facebook Reels from the app or cross-post from Instagram with step-by-step instructions and tips to boost reach and engagement.
How to Share a Reel on Facebook from App or Instagram
With the explosion of short-form video content, Facebook Reels have emerged as a high-impact way for creators, brands, and everyday users to connect with audiences. Whether you post directly through the Facebook app or cross-post from Instagram, knowing how to share a reel on Facebook can amplify your reach, boost engagement, and streamline your content strategy. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step and offers best practices to optimize performance.
Facebook Reels are short, vertical videos—up to 90 seconds—that can include music, effects, and captions. They surface in feed, the Reels tab, and search results, making them a valuable tool for organic growth.
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Understanding What Facebook Reels Are and How They Work
Facebook Reels are Meta’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels, offering similar short, engaging formats for audiences. They are designed to:
- Increase discoverability through algorithmic recommendations
- Encourage interactions via likes, comments, and shares
- Reach users beyond your current followers if posted publicly
Once published, Facebook Reels can appear across the platform—from your personal feed to the Reels tab—and could be recommended to entirely new audiences.
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Check Compatibility: Device, App Version, and Account Type
Before you begin sharing Reels, make sure:
- Device: You're using a smartphone or tablet capable of running the latest Facebook and Instagram apps.
- App Version: Update to the newest version in the App Store or Play Store to ensure access to all features.
- Account Type: Personal and professional accounts can both post Reels; Pages provide additional analytics.
If your intention is to share from Instagram to Facebook, ensure that both accounts are linked and cross-posting is configured.
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Creating a Reel Directly in Facebook vs. Sharing from Instagram
You have two main ways to share:
- Direct Creation in Facebook
- Capture or upload video directly in Facebook and use the built-in editing suite.
- Cross-Posting from Instagram
- Toggle the “Share to Facebook” option when posting on Instagram to automatically publish to Facebook.
Your choice depends on audience preferences and your content workflow. Instagram creators often prefer the cross-post option for efficiency.
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Step-by-Step Tutorial: Sharing a Reel Within Facebook
Follow these simple steps to make and post a Reel:
1. Recording or Uploading
- Open the Facebook app, tap the Reel icon, or navigate to Create > Reel.
- Record using your camera or upload from your gallery.
2. Editing
- Trim clips, insert effects, stickers, or text overlays.
- Add music from the Facebook audio library.
3. Captioning
- Craft a brief, engaging caption using keywords and hashtags like #FacebookReels and #Trending.
4. Posting
- Tap Next, select your audience, then Share Reel.
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Sharing an Existing Reel to Your Facebook Story or Page
Boost visibility of existing Reels without editing:
- Locate your target Reel.
- Tap the Share icon.
- Select Share to Story to display it for 24 hours.
- Or choose Share to Page for broader exposure.
This quick tactic can extend a Reel’s life span and reach.
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Sharing Instagram Reels to Facebook Automatically
For seamless integration, enable auto-share:
From Instagram:
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Sharing to Other Apps.
- Link to your Facebook profile or Page.
- Switch on “Automatically share Reels to Facebook.”
This automation saves time and ensures your audience on both platforms sees your content.
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Privacy and Audience Settings
Choosing the right audience impacts reach:
| Audience | Visibility |
|---|---|
| Public | Visible to all Facebook users; can appear in recommendations |
| Friends | Visible only to your friends list |
| Custom | Viewable by specific people or lists you choose |
Tip: Select Public for maximum discoverability, especially for brand building.
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Best Practices for Maximizing Reach When Sharing Reels
To grow your audience and engagement, consider:
1. Timing
Publish during peak engagement periods—typically weekday evenings or weekend afternoons.
2. Hashtag Strategy
Blend trending and niche tags to target both broad and specific audiences.
3. Captions with Hooks
Pose questions, tell mini-stories, or prompt comments to increase interaction.
4. Consistency
Post frequently to remain in algorithms’ active cycles.
5. Collaboration
Mentions and tags can expose your content to other users’ followers.
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Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter problems sharing a Reel:
- Connectivity: Stable internet is required.
- Update Apps: Ensure both Facebook and Instagram are current.
- Account Linking: Re-authenticate linked accounts.
- File Format: Use supported formats (.mp4, .mov) within size limits.
- Feature Availability: Not all regions support Reels yet.
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Tracking Engagement Metrics on Shared Reels
Professional accounts and Pages can track performance metrics:
- Plays – Number of views
- Reach – Unique accounts reached
- Engagement – Total likes, comments, and shares
- Retention – Average watch time and completion %
Access these in Professional Dashboard > Insights on Facebook, or via Instagram’s Reel Insights tool for cross-posted content.
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Summary & Next Steps
Mastering how to share a reel on Facebook—and combining native creation with cross-posting from Instagram—gives you the flexibility to distribute content efficiently and effectively. With attention to compatibility, privacy settings, and proven growth strategies, you can harness this format to expand your influence.
Start experimenting with different posting times, caption styles, and audience settings, then track your metrics to refine your approach. Ready to grow your audience? Open your app today and share your next Reel.
