The quickest way to share a Reel in your Story

You can add a Reel to your Instagram Story directly from the Reels tab or from your feed. Open Instagram, find the Reel you want to share, tap the paper airplane icon (the share button), and select "Add post to your story". The Reel will appear as a sticker in your Story editor, where you can resize it, move it around, or add text and drawings before posting. This takes about 30 seconds and the Reel stays linked to the original — when someone taps it in your Story, they see the full video.

If you want to share your own Reel, you can also start from your profile. Go to your Reels tab, open the Reel you made, tap the three dots at the bottom, and choose "Share to story". The process is the same from there.

Key Takeaways

  • The share button (paper airplane icon) on any Reel lets you add it to your Story in one tap, and the Reel stays linked to the original video.
  • You can resize and reposition the Reel sticker in your Story editor, and add text or drawings on top of it before posting.
  • Reels added to Stories disappear after 24 hours, just like any other Story post.
  • When you share someone else's Reel to your Story, they get a notification that you shared it, and their username appears on the sticker.

Finding the share button on a Reel

The share button is the paper airplane icon at the bottom right of the Reel video, next to the comment and bookmark icons. Tap it once and a menu appears with several options. Look for "Add post to your story" — this is the option that puts the Reel into your Story editor.

If you are watching a Reel in your feed (not in the dedicated Reels tab), the same icon is in the same place. The button works the same way whether you are sharing your own Reel or someone else's.

Editing the Reel in your Story

After you tap "Add post to your story", Instagram opens your Story editor with the Reel as a sticker in the middle of the screen. The sticker has a small preview of the Reel thumbnail. You can pinch to resize it, drag it to move it anywhere on your Story, or rotate it by using two fingers.

You can add text, drawings, or other stickers on top of the Reel sticker just like you would with any other Story element. If you want to remove the Reel sticker entirely, tap it once to select it and then press delete or backspace. When you are done editing, tap "Your story" at the bottom to post it.

What happens when you share a Reel to your Story

The Reel appears in your Story as a clickable sticker with the original creator's username displayed on it. When your followers tap the sticker, they are taken to the full Reel video on the original creator's profile, not a copy. This means the view counts and engagement go to the original Reel, not to your Story.

If you shared someone else's Reel, they receive a notification that you shared it. Your username appears on the sticker so your followers know you are the one who shared it. The Reel stays in your Story for 24 hours and then disappears, like all Story posts.

Sharing your own Reel to your Story

If you just created a Reel and want to add it to your Story right away, go to your profile, tap the Reels tab (the film strip icon), and open the Reel you want to share. Tap the three dots at the bottom right and select "Share to story". This opens the same Story editor, and you can resize, move, and edit the sticker the same way.

Many people share their new Reels to their Story to give them an extra boost in visibility. Since Stories appear at the top of your followers' feeds, it can help more people see the Reel in the first 24 hours.

Troubleshooting: when the share button does not appear

If you cannot see the share button on a Reel, the account that posted it may have turned off sharing. Some creators restrict who can share their Reels to their Story. In this case, you will see a "Sharing disabled" message instead of the share button, and there is no way around it — you cannot share that Reel to your Story.

If the button is there but tapping it does not open the Story editor, try closing and reopening Instagram. Make sure you are using the latest version of the app — go to your device's app store and check for updates. If the problem continues, try logging out and logging back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the original creator know I shared their Reel to my Story?

Yes. They receive a notification that you shared it, and your username appears on the sticker in your Story. They can tap the notification to see your Story.

Can I add a Reel to my Story if the creator disabled sharing?

No. If sharing is disabled, the share button shows "Sharing disabled" instead of the paper airplane icon. You cannot share that Reel to your Story.

How long does a Reel stay in my Story?

Reels in your Story disappear after 24 hours, just like all other Story posts. After that, only people who have saved your Story can view it.

Can I edit or trim a Reel before adding it to my Story?

No. The Reel is shared as-is. You can only resize it, move it, and add text or drawings on top of it in the Story editor. You cannot cut or change the video itself.

What happens if I delete the Reel after I share it to my Story?

If you delete the original Reel from your profile, the sticker in your Story becomes unplayable. Your followers will see the sticker but cannot watch the video. The sticker stays in your Story, but it no longer links to anything.