Why Can’t I Repost a Story on Instagram and How to Fix It
Learn why the "Add This to Your Story" option may be missing on Instagram and follow step-by-step fixes covering tags, privacy, updates, and glitches.
Why You Can't Repost a Story on Instagram and How to Fix It
Instagram's Story Repost feature is a popular way to share friends’, collaborators’, or brands’ stories to your own audience. But many users find themselves stuck when the _Add This to Your Story_ option is missing. In this complete guide on why you can't repost a story on Instagram, you'll learn the most common causes — from privacy settings and tags to app glitches — plus clear, step‑by‑step solutions to restore the repost function quickly.
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Understanding Instagram's Story Reposting Feature
Instagram Stories are ephemeral posts that disappear after 24 hours. You can only repost someone else’s story when certain conditions are met:
- You are mentioned directly in their story, or
- They tag your account in the story content.
If neither condition applies, you won’t see the repost button. This is by design: Instagram prioritizes privacy and consent in content sharing.
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Confirm the Story Mentions or Tags You
The most common reason you can't repost is that the original story doesn’t tag or mention you.
To check:
- Go to your Direct Messages.
- Locate the chat that includes the story mention.
- Look for the "Add This to Your Story" option.
If you don’t see it, you weren’t tagged.
Pro Tip: Politely request the poster to tag your username if they are open to resharing.
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Check if the Original Account is Private
Privacy settings heavily impact repost capabilities.
When a story is from a private account:
- Only approved followers see it.
- Even if tagged, you may not have permission to reshare publicly.
This safeguard ensures private content stays within intended audiences. Respecting privacy means you can only reshare within the limits set by the original account holder.
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Verify if the Story Has Expired (24-hour Limit)
Instagram Stories vanish 24 hours after posting:
- Expired stories disappear from your inbox and feed.
- They move into the poster’s private archive.
- The repost function disappears entirely for others.
Always reshare soon after being tagged to stay within the repost window.
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Account Type and App Version Differences
Instagram has three main account types:
- Personal
- Creator
- Business
While story repost options aren’t tied directly to account type, creator and business accounts sometimes receive feature updates earlier. Device and operating system also shape your experience:
- On Android, repost might appear in a submenu.
- On iOS, it could be in the DM preview area.
Using an outdated app means you could miss new interface designs entirely — update regularly to stay current.
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Temporary Bugs and Outages
Instagram occasionally experiences platform glitches or server outages that temporarily disable features:
- Watch for trending reports on Twitter or DownDetector.
- Check if other features feel sluggish or broken.
- Recognize that some issues are beyond your control.
If the outage is platform‑wide, the only solution is to wait for Instagram's fix.
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Updating the App and Clearing Cache
An outdated app or corrupted cache can cause disappearing features.
Update Instagram
- Open the App Store or Google Play Store.
- Search for Instagram and tap Update.
Clear Cache on Android
Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear CacheClear Cache on iOS
iOS users must offload the app:
Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Instagram > Offload AppThen reinstall via the App Store.
These steps clear corrupted temporary data and ensure you have the latest version.
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Adjust Your Own Privacy Settings
Your privacy settings may block followers from resharing your content, which can cause confusion.
Check this in Instagram:
- Open Settings.
- Go to `Privacy > Story`.
- Activate Allow Sharing to Story.
While this won’t override other people’s privacy rules, it ensures you’re not restricting reposts unintentionally.
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Contacting Instagram Support
If troubleshooting fails, try contacting Instagram directly:
- Open your profile menu.
- Tap Settings > Help > Report a Problem.
- Clearly state that the repost option is missing despite meeting sharing requirements.
Responses can be slow, but reporting the issue ensures it’s logged for review.
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Quick Troubleshooting Checklist
Use this reference table to identify and resolve repost problems:
| Possible Cause | Check | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Not tagged in original story | Check DMs for mention | Ask poster to tag you |
| Original account is private | Look for lock icon on profile | Respect privacy settings |
| Story expired | Check time posted | Request repost from creator |
| Outdated app version | Check store for updates | Update the app |
| Corrupted cache | Feature missing or lagging | Clear cache / reinstall |
| Instagram outage | Scan outage reports | Wait until resolved |
| Your privacy settings | Review Story settings | Enable “Allow Sharing” |
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Final Thoughts
If you’re asking, _“why can’t I repost a story on Instagram?”_, the cause is usually one of three things: missing tags/mentions, privacy restrictions, or technical issues. By checking mentions, respecting account privacy, updating your app, clearing cache, and confirming your settings, you can quickly solve most repost problems.
Should the issue persist, it may be due to a temporary bug or outage — in which case patience and monitoring for fixes are your best moves.
Follow the steps in this guide to regain your ability to share others’ stories when allowed, and keep your Instagram engagement flowing.
Ready to get your repost function working again? Go through the checklist today and start sharing stories without frustration.
