Reposting has long been a part of social media culture. Whether it’s sharing a funny meme, a trending video, or user-generated content, reposting allows you to give fresh visibility to content you enjoy. On Instagram, the practice of repost Instagram Reels is becoming more important than ever. With the 2025 update, Instagram has finally introduced a native Repost feature, making it easier and safer to share Reels directly within the app.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about reposting Reels on Instagram—from how it works, the benefits, step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting common issues, and frequently asked questions. By the end, you’ll be ready to use this new feature to boost engagement while giving proper credit to creators. Let’s dive in!
What Is Repost and What Makes Repost Reels Special?
A repost is simply resharing someone else’s content to your own profile so your followers can see it. Previously, Instagram users had limited options: they could only share Reels to their Stories (which disappear after 24 hours), download them using third-party apps, or screen record the content and re-upload it manually.
Now, with Instagram’s official Repost feature, things have changed. When you repost Instagram Reels, the video appears in your followers’ feed and is saved in a new dedicated “Reposts” tab on your profile. This feature gives full credit to the original creator automatically, making reposting safer, more respectful, and more impactful than ever before.
Benefits of Reposting Instagram Reels
Reposting isn’t just about resharing—it comes with real benefits for both the sharer and the original creator:
- Convenience: You can now repost a Reel with just a few taps inside Instagram. No extra tools or apps required.
- Automatic credit: Instagram ensures that the original creator’s username is shown, giving them visibility and protecting intellectual property.
- Boost engagement: Sharing interesting or valuable content keeps your feed active, attracts attention, and increases interaction with your followers.
- Support creators: When you repost, you help the original Reel reach a wider audience, which strengthens community engagement.
- Great for brands and businesses: User-generated content (UGC) can be reposted quickly, showing real customers using your product, which builds trust.
How to Repost Instagram Reels (Step-by-Step Guide)
Here’s exactly how you can repost Instagram Reels using the new built-in feature:
- Open the Instagram app and find the Reel you want to share. Make sure it comes from a public account.
- Tap the Repost icon (the one with two arrows in a square).
- Optionally, add a caption with your thoughts, tag the original creator, or add hashtags.
- Post it. The Reel will now appear in your followers’ feed and in your personal Reposts tab on your profile.
*Important note: You cannot repost content from private accounts, even if you follow them.
Where Can I See My Reposted Reels?
Instagram has introduced a dedicated “Reposts” tab on each user’s profile. This makes it easy to track and manage the content you’ve shared.
- To access it, go to your profile.
- Look for the Reposts tab (usually shown with two arrows in a loop).
- All Reels and posts you’ve reposted will appear here.
It’s worth noting that reposted Reels will not appear in your main grid, so don’t worry if you don’t see them there. Instead, they have their own space to avoid mixing them with your original uploads.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
1. Can’t find the “Repost” button
1. Ensure Your Instagram App is Up-to-Date
The repost feature is a recent addition to Instagram. If your app is not running the latest version, you likely won’t see this new functionality. Keeping your app updated is the most crucial step to accessing new features.
To update your app:
- For Android: open the Google Play Store, search for Instagram, and tap “Update” if available.
- For iPhone: open the Apple App Store, go to your profile, pull down to refresh for updates, then find Instagram and tap “Update.”
Once updated, restart the app and check for the repost option.
2. Clearing Your App’s Cache
Even after updating, sometimes a corrupted app cache can prevent new features from appearing correctly. Clearing the cache can resolve these minor glitches and help the app load its latest functionalities properly.
For Android devices:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Tap on Apps, then select All Apps or Manage Apps.
- Scroll through the list to find Instagram and tap on it.
- Select Storage and Cache.
- Finally, tap on Clear Cache.
For iPhone users, there isn’t a direct “clear cache” button for individual apps. Instead, you can “offload” the app, which clears its temporary data while keeping your documents and data. Reinstalling it will then download a fresh version.
To offload and reinstall on iPhone:
- Go to iPhone’s Settings.
- Tap on General, then iPhone Storage.
- Find and tap on the Instagram App.
- Select Offload App, and confirm by tapping Offload App again.
- After offloading, tap Reinstall App.
3. Wait or check rollout: Instagram often rolls out features gradually. If you still don’t see it after updating, the feature may not be enabled for your account yet.
Other Problems:
- Repost not available on some Reels: This usually happens when the creator has restricted sharing or the account is private.
- Reposted Reel not showing on profile: Remember that reposts appear in the Reposts tab, not your main grid.
- Sound missing after reposting: Some audio tracks are licensed in ways that prevent reuse. If Instagram detects restricted audio, the repost may appear muted.
- Low engagement on reposted Reels: Add your own caption, context, and hashtags to maximize visibility and ensure the repost feels personalized.
Conclusion
The ability to repost Instagram Reels natively is one of Instagram’s most exciting updates. It’s quick, it gives automatic credit to creators, and it offers new opportunities for brands, influencers, and everyday users to share the content they love. Whether you’re curating content for your audience or amplifying a creator’s voice, reposting Reels is now easier and safer than ever.
Give the new feature a try and see how reposting can strengthen your profile, boost engagement, and build better connections with your community.
FAQs About Reposting Instagram Reels
1. Can I repost Instagram Reels from private accounts?
No, you cannot. Instagram only allows reposting content from public accounts. This is because private accounts are designed for a limited audience, and sharing their content outside of that circle would go against their privacy settings. If you really want to share a Reel from a private account, the best option is to ask the creator directly for permission. They might send it to you so you can share it in another way, or they could choose to make the Reel public if they’re comfortable with a wider audience seeing it.
2. Can I delete or remove a Reel after I repost it?
Yes, you’re always in control of what appears on your profile. If you change your mind about a reposted Reel, you can go to the Reposts tab on your profile, tap the Reel you want to remove, and select the option to delete it from your reposts. This action won’t affect the original creator’s content—the Reel will still exist on their profile. You’re only removing your repost, which means your followers won’t see it in your Reposts tab anymore.
3. Will reposting affect my engagement or reach?
Reposting can actually boost your engagement because it allows you to share popular or trending Reels with your audience. However, the results depend on how you approach it. Simply hitting “repost” without adding context might not be as effective. To get the most out of reposting, write a meaningful caption, tag the original creator, and use hashtags that are relevant to your audience. Doing this not only gives proper credit but also encourages interactions, which helps Instagram’s algorithm recognize the post as valuable and potentially show it to more people.
4. How is reposting different from sharing to Stories?
The main difference is visibility and duration. When you share a Reel to your Story, it only lasts for 24 hours, unless you save it to your Highlights. Reposting, on the other hand, creates a more permanent presence on your profile. Reposted Reels live in a dedicated Reposts tab, where followers can revisit them anytime. If you want something quick and temporary, Stories are great. But if you’re looking for a more lasting way to feature content—whether it’s your own or someone else’s—reposting is the better option.
5. Can businesses use the Repost feature for marketing?
Absolutely, and it can be very powerful. Businesses can use reposting to highlight customer testimonials, unboxing videos, product demonstrations, or any type of user-generated content. This is a smart way to build trust and show authenticity, since potential customers see real people engaging with your brand. Plus, Instagram’s native repost feature eliminates the need for third-party apps, making the process simpler and safer. Just keep in mind: always give credit to the original creator and, whenever possible, ask for permission. This not only protects your brand but also builds stronger relationships with your community.