How to add someone else's story to your own story
On Instagram and TikTok, you can repost someone else's story to your own story using the built-in repost feature — usually a share or arrow icon on their story. On Snapchat, there is no official repost button, so you screenshot their story and upload it manually, though this notifies them you took a screenshot. The exact steps differ by platform and whether you're reposting from a friend, a public account, or a brand.
Before reposting, understand that the original creator's name and profile usually stay attached to the content, so they'll see the repost in their notifications. Some creators welcome reposts; others don't. Checking their bio or a recent post for their preferences takes 30 seconds and avoids awkwardness or having your repost removed.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram and TikTok both have built-in repost buttons (usually a share icon) that let you add someone's story directly to your own story with their name attached.
- Snapchat has no official repost feature, so you must screenshot and re-upload manually, which automatically notifies the original creator that you screenshotted their story.
- The original creator's name and profile link stay visible on reposts, so they will see the repost in their notifications and can remove it if they choose.
- Some creators disable reposting in their privacy settings, which means the repost button won't appear even if you try to use it.
- Reposting without permission can violate a creator's wishes, so checking their bio or recent posts for preferences is a quick way to show respect.
Reposting on Instagram
On Instagram, tap the share arrow icon at the bottom right of the story you want to repost. A menu will appear with options including "Add this to your story." Tap that option, and Instagram will open your story editor with the original story already placed on a blank canvas. You can add text, stickers, or drawings on top if you want, then tap "Your story" to post it.
The original creator's username and profile picture will appear on the repost with a link back to their profile. They'll receive a notification that you reposted their story. If they've turned off reposting in their privacy settings, the share arrow won't appear on their story at all, and you won't be able to repost it.
If you want to repost a story from a private account and you're not following them, you won't see their story in the first place. Private accounts control who can view their stories, so reposting is limited to their followers.
Reposting on TikTok
On TikTok, open the video you want to repost and tap the share icon (an arrow pointing right) at the bottom right. Select "Add to my story" from the menu. TikTok will add the video to your story feed with the original creator's name and profile picture attached. You can add text or effects before posting if you want.
The original creator will see that you reposted their video in their notifications. Unlike Instagram, TikTok's repost feature is harder to disable completely, but creators can still report or remove reposts they don't want circulating. Some creators use their bio or pinned videos to state whether they're okay with reposts.
TikTok stories are different from TikTok videos posted to your main feed. Stories disappear after 24 hours, while regular posts stay on your profile. Reposting to your story is a temporary share, not a permanent addition to your profile.
Reposting on Snapchat
Snapchat does not have an official repost button for stories. To share someone else's story, you must take a screenshot of it, then upload that screenshot to your own story. Open the story you want to repost, press your phone's screenshot button (or use Snapchat's built-in screenshot tool), then go to your story and upload the image.
When you screenshot a story on Snapchat, the original creator receives a notification that you took a screenshot. This is true whether you're screenshotting a friend's story or a public account's story. There's no way to screenshot without them knowing. If you upload the screenshot to your story, they'll also see it if they view your story.
Because Snapchat doesn't attach the original creator's name to a screenshot-based repost, you should manually tag them or mention them in the caption so viewers know where the content came from. This is both a courtesy and helps avoid looking like you're claiming someone else's work as your own.
What happens when you repost someone's story
When you repost using the official feature on Instagram or TikTok, the original creator's name, profile picture, and a link to their profile appear on your repost. They receive a notification that you reposted their content. If they tap the notification, they can view your repost and see how many people have viewed it.
Creators can remove reposts of their stories if they don't want them circulating. On Instagram, they can tap the three dots on your repost and select "Remove from story." On TikTok, they can report the repost if it violates their preferences. Once removed, the repost disappears from your story.
On Snapchat, because you're uploading a screenshot rather than using a repost feature, the original creator doesn't have the same removal options. However, they can still report your story if they feel their content is being misused.
When creators disable reposting
On Instagram, creators can turn off the ability for others to repost their stories. To check if someone has disabled reposting, try to tap the share arrow on their story. If no menu appears, reposting is turned off. This is a privacy setting the creator controls, and it means they prefer their stories to stay on their own profile only.
Some creators disable reposting because they want to control where their content appears, protect their privacy, or avoid their stories being shared with people they didn't intend to reach. Respecting this setting means finding another way to share their content — you can always send them a direct message saying you loved their story, or mention them in a post of your own without reposting.
TikTok's repost feature is harder to disable globally, but individual creators can still ask people not to repost their stories. Check their bio or recent posts for any statements about reposting preferences.
How to credit the original creator when reposting
On Instagram and TikTok, the original creator's name is automatically attached to the repost, so credit is built in. However, you can add extra credit by tagging them in the caption or adding a sticker that links to their profile. This makes it even clearer that the content is theirs and drives more attention to their account.
On Snapchat, since you're uploading a screenshot, you must manually credit the creator. Write their username in the caption, tag them if Snapchat's tagging feature allows it, or mention them in text on the image itself. Without this, viewers won't know who created the original content.
Adding credit takes a few extra seconds but shows respect for the creator's work and helps their audience find them. It also protects you from looking like you're trying to pass off someone else's content as your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I repost someone's story if they don't follow me back?
On Instagram, you can only repost stories from accounts you follow or from public accounts whose stories you can see. If someone's account is private and you don't follow them, you can't see their stories at all. On TikTok, you can repost from any public account. On Snapchat, you can only see and screenshot stories from people who have added you as a friend.
Will the creator know if I repost their story?
Yes. On Instagram and TikTok, they receive a notification that you reposted their content. On Snapchat, they're notified that you took a screenshot. There's no way to repost without them knowing on any platform.
What if the creator asks me to remove my repost?
You should remove it. On Instagram and TikTok, go to your story, tap the three dots or menu icon on the repost, and select delete or remove. On Snapchat, delete the screenshot from your story. Respecting a creator's request keeps the relationship positive and shows you value their boundaries.
Can I edit a repost after I add it to my story?
Yes. On Instagram and TikTok, after you tap "Add to my story," you're taken to the story editor where you can add text, stickers, drawings, or effects before posting. On Snapchat, you can edit the screenshot like any other image before uploading it to your story.
What's the difference between reposting a story and sharing a story in a direct message?
Reposting adds the content to your story, where all your followers can see it. Sharing in a direct message sends it only to that person or group. Reposting is more public; direct messaging is more private. The creator is notified either way, but reposting reaches a wider audience.