The fastest way to copy an Instagram comment
On both iPhone and Android, press and hold the comment text until a menu appears, then tap Copy. On a computer, right-click the comment and select Copy text. That's the core method — it works on comments you wrote, comments others wrote on your posts, and comments on posts from accounts you follow.
The menu that appears varies slightly by device. On mobile, you'll see options like Copy, Report, and sometimes Delete (if it's your own comment). On desktop, the right-click menu includes Copy text as the first option. The copied text goes into your device's clipboard, ready to paste anywhere — into a message, a note app, an email, or another social app.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold a comment on mobile or right-click on desktop to see the copy option in the menu that appears.
- You can copy comments you wrote, comments others left on your posts, and comments on any public post you can see.
- Copied text goes to your clipboard and can be pasted into messages, notes, or other apps.
- If the copy option doesn't appear, the account may be private or the comment may have been deleted.
Copying comments on iPhone and iPad
Open the Instagram app and find the post with the comment you want to copy. Tap the comment text itself — not the username or timestamp — and hold your finger there for about a second. A menu will pop up with several options in a row or column depending on your iOS version.
Tap Copy from this menu. The comment text is now in your clipboard. You can paste it by opening another app (Messages, Notes, Mail, or any text field), pressing and holding in the text box, and tapping Paste. If you don't see a Copy option, the comment may have been deleted or the account may have restricted who can interact with it.
Copying comments on Android phones
In the Instagram app, locate the comment you want to copy and press your finger on the comment text for a moment. A menu will appear with options like Copy, Report, and possibly Delete or Edit (if it's your comment).
Tap Copy. The text is now in your clipboard and ready to paste anywhere — open your messaging app, notes app, or any text field, press and hold, and select Paste. The process is nearly identical to iPhone, though the menu layout may look slightly different depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer.
Copying comments on a computer or web browser
Go to Instagram.com in your web browser and find the post containing the comment. Locate the comment text you want to copy and right-click directly on it. A context menu will appear with several options.
Select Copy text (the exact wording may vary by browser — it might say "Copy" or "Copy as text"). The comment is now in your clipboard. Paste it by clicking in any text field on your computer, then pressing Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). You can paste into email, documents, messaging apps, or any other application.
What to do if the copy option doesn't appear
If you press and hold or right-click but don't see a copy option, a few things may be happening. The comment may have been deleted by the person who wrote it or by the post owner. The account that wrote the comment may have set their profile to private and restricted interactions. Or the comment may have been hidden by Instagram's automated systems.
Try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Instagram app. If the comment still doesn't show a copy option, it's likely been removed or restricted. You can still take a screenshot of the comment if you need to preserve it, though that captures the image rather than the text itself.
Why you might want to copy a comment
People copy comments for different reasons. You might want to save a thoughtful reply to use in your own response, quote someone in a message to a friend, or keep a record of feedback on your post. You might also copy a comment to report it if it violates Instagram's rules, or to share it with someone who doesn't have Instagram access.
Copying is faster and cleaner than screenshotting because you get the text alone, without the usernames, timestamps, or other visual elements. It also lets you paste the comment into a searchable document or note, making it easier to find later.
Copying your own comments versus others' comments
You can copy any comment you can see on Instagram, whether you wrote it or someone else did. If it's your own comment, you'll also see options to Edit or Delete in addition to Copy. If it's someone else's comment, you'll see Copy and Report, but not Edit or Delete.
The copy function itself works the same way regardless of who wrote the comment. The difference is what you can do with the comment afterward — you can only edit or delete your own comments, but you can copy anyone's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a comment that someone deleted?
No. Once a comment is deleted, it disappears from the post and you can no longer see or copy it. If you need to preserve a comment, copy it before the person deletes it, or take a screenshot as a backup.
Does the person know if I copy their comment?
No. Instagram does not notify users when someone copies their comment. Copying is a private action on your device — it's the same as copying any other text from the internet.
Can I copy comments from private accounts?
Only if you follow the private account and can see their posts. If you can't see the post or comment, the copy option won't appear. Private accounts control who can view their content, including comments.
What if I copy a comment but can't paste it?
Make sure you're pasting into a text field that accepts text input — not a search bar or a field that only accepts numbers. Try pressing and holding in the text box and selecting Paste, or use Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). If pasting still doesn't work, try copying the comment again.
Can I copy multiple comments at once?
No. Instagram's copy function works on one comment at a time. You'll need to copy each comment separately and paste them into a document if you want to save several together.