How to Share a Reel to Your Story on Instagram: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Sharing Instagram Reels to your Story increases reach and engagement. Here's exactly how to share any Reel to your Story, plus troubleshooting tips when it doesn't work.

Quick Answer: How to Share Reel to Story

1. Open the Reel you want to share
2. Tap the share icon (paper airplane) below the Reel
3. Select "Add to Story" from the sharing options
4. Customize with text, stickers, or effects
5. Tap "Your Story" to publish

Note: You can only share public Reels to your Story. Private account Reels require permission from the creator.

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Step-by-Step: Share Any Reel to Your Story

Method 1: From Your Own Reel

Sharing Your Own Reel:

1. Go to your Instagram profile
2. Tap the Reel you want to share
3. Tap the three dots (⋯) in bottom right
4. Select "Add to Story"
5. Customize the Story post
6. Add text, stickers, or drawings if desired
7. Tap "Your Story" to share

Method 2: From Someone Else's Reel

Sharing Others' Public Reels:

1. Find the Reel in your feed or explore page
2. Tap the share button (paper airplane icon)
3. Select "Add to Story"
4. Customize your Story with personal commentary
5. Tag the original creator (recommended)
6. Share to Your Story

Method 3: From Explore Page

Sharing Reels You Discover:

1. Browse Instagram Explore page
2. Tap on any Reel that interests you
3. Use the share button at bottom of screen
4. Choose "Add to Story"
5. Add your reaction or commentary
6. Credit the creator with @mention
7. Post to Your Story

What Happens When You Share a Reel to Story

Story Appearance:

• Reel preview appears as sticker on your Story
• Original creator is automatically credited
• Play button overlay indicates it's a Reel
• Your followers can tap to watch full Reel
• Engagement goes to original Reel creator

Engagement Benefits:

• Increased visibility for the original Reel
• Your Story views increase from interesting content
• Creator appreciation often leads to follows/engagement
• Discovery opportunity for your audience

Customizing Shared Reels in Your Story

Adding Personal Touch:

Text Options:

• Add your opinion about the Reel content
• Ask followers questions about the topic
• Share why you're recommending the Reel
• Add context for your specific audience

Visual Enhancements:

• Resize the Reel preview to fit your aesthetic
• Add stickers that complement the content
• Use drawing tools to highlight parts
• Apply filters to match your Story style

Interactive Elements:

• Add polls asking opinions about the Reel
• Use question stickers to start conversations
• Include reaction stickers showing your response
• Tag relevant friends who should see it

Troubleshooting: Why You Can't Share a Reel to Story

Common Issues and Solutions:

"Add to Story" Option Missing

Possible Causes:

• Reel is from private account
• Creator has disabled sharing
• Your app needs updating
• Temporary Instagram bug

Solutions:

1. Check if account is private, only public Reels can be shared
2. Update Instagram app to latest version
3. Restart the app and try again
4. Clear app cache (Android) or reinstall (iOS)

Reel Won't Load in Story

Common Fixes:

1. Check internet connection, need stable connection
2. Close and reopen Instagram app
3. Try sharing different Reel to test functionality
4. Wait and try later, may be temporary server issue

Share Button Not Working

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Force close Instagram app completely
2. Restart your device
3. Check app permissions in device settings
4. Update iOS/Android system if available
5. Reinstall Instagram if problems persist

Account-Specific Restrictions:

Private Account Limitations:

• Can't share private account Reels
• Need to follow creator first
• Creator must approve your follow request
• Ask permission before sharing private content

Business Account Considerations:

• Some branded content can't be shared
• Music rights may prevent sharing
• Check content policies before sharing business Reels

Best Practices for Sharing Reels to Story

Engagement Optimization:

Give Credit:

• Always tag the original creator
• Add positive commentary about their content
• Encourage followers to check out their profile
• Share why you found it valuable

Add Value:

• Explain why you're sharing the Reel
• Add your perspective or experience
• Ask thoughtful questions to encourage responses
• Provide additional context for your audience

Timing Strategy:

• Share during peak Story viewing hours
• Consider time zones of your audience
• Space out multiple Reel shares throughout day
• Mix with original Story content

Content Curation:

What to Share:

• Educational content relevant to your niche
• Entertaining videos your audience will enjoy
• Trending topics in your industry
• Behind-the-scenes content from creators you admire
• Inspirational messages that align with your brand

What to Avoid:

• Controversial content that could alienate followers
• Low-quality videos that don't match your brand
• Outdated trends that seem irrelevant
• Content without permission from private accounts
• Too many shares that overwhelm your Story

Advanced Reel Sharing Strategies

Content Categories for Sharing:

Educational Reels:

• Industry tips and tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes processes
• Expert advice from thought leaders
• How-to content relevant to your audience
• Trend explanations and analysis

Entertainment Reels:

• Funny videos that match your brand humor
• Trending challenges appropriate for your audience
• Creative content that inspires your followers
• Music and dance videos for lifestyle brands
• Pet and animal content for broad appeal

Inspirational Reels:

• Motivational quotes and messages
• Success stories from your industry
• Transformation content showing progress
• Personal development tips and advice
• Community highlights and celebrations

Engagement Tactics:

Question Prompts:

• "What do you think about this?"
• "Have you tried this technique?"
• "Who else needs to see this?"
• "What's your experience with [topic]?"

Call-to-Actions:

• "Swipe up to see their full profile"
• "Double tap if you agree"
• "Share this with someone who needs it"
• "Follow @[creator] for more content like this"

Track Performance

Key metrics: Story completion rate, profile visits, DMs generated, original Reel engagement

Optimize by: Tracking which Reel types perform best, noting optimal sharing times, monitoring audience response

Creating Better Instagram Content

Improve your Reel and Story strategy with these tools:

Content Creation:

• Instagram Caption Generator, create engaging captions for your own Reels
• Sunset Caption Generator, perfect for golden hour Reel content
• Sunrise Caption Generator, great for morning motivation Reels
• Fishing Caption Generator, ideal for outdoor adventure Reels

Optimization Tools:

• Instagram Hashtag Generator, find trending hashtags for your Reels
• Instagram Text Formatter, format captions perfectly for Reels
• Best Posting Time Calculator, find optimal times to share Reels to Story

Sharing Etiquette

Always: Credit creators with @mentions, add positive commentary, respect copyright Never: Claim content as your own, share without credit, overwhelm your Story

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I share private Reels? A: No, only public Reels can be shared. Q: Do creators get notified? A: Yes, creators receive sharing notifications. Q: How long do shared Reels stay? A: 24 hours unless saved as Highlights.

Content Mix Strategy

• 70% original content including your own Reels
• 20% shared Reels with commentary
• 10% curated content from various sources

Sharing Reels to your Story provides value to your audience while supporting creators. Use strategically to build community and grow your Instagram presence.

Ready to optimize your Instagram strategy? Use our Instagram Tools to create better Reels, Stories, and captions that engage your audience and grow your following.