The simplest way to copy a comment on Instagram

To copy a comment on Instagram, press and hold the comment text until a menu appears, then tap Copy. The comment is now in your clipboard and you can paste it anywhere — into a message, a note, an email, or another app. This works the same way on both iPhone and Android.

If you are copying your own comment to edit it or repost it elsewhere, this is the fastest route. If you are copying someone else's comment, Instagram does not notify them that you copied it — the action is private to your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold any comment text on Instagram until a menu appears, then select Copy to add it to your clipboard.
  • You can paste the copied comment into messages, notes, emails, or any other app on your phone.
  • Instagram does not notify the person who wrote the comment that you copied it.
  • If the comment has been deleted or the account is private, you may not be able to see or copy it.
  • Copying a comment does not give you permission to repost someone else's words without credit.

What happens when you copy a comment

When you copy a comment, Instagram stores the text in your device's clipboard temporarily. You can then paste it into any app on your phone — Messages, Notes, Gmail, a document, or anywhere else that accepts text. The original comment stays on Instagram unchanged.

The person who wrote the comment does not receive a notification. Instagram does not track or log who copies comments. If you paste the comment somewhere public and credit the original author, that is a choice you make — Instagram does not enforce or prevent it.

Copying comments on different devices

On iPhone: Open the Instagram app, find the comment you want to copy, press and hold the comment text until a menu appears with options including Copy, and tap Copy. The text is now in your clipboard.

On Android: The process is identical. Open Instagram, find the comment, press and hold the text, and tap Copy from the menu that appears.

On a web browser: If you are viewing Instagram on a computer, right-click the comment text and select Copy from the context menu. Some browsers may not show this option if Instagram's interface blocks it, in which case you can manually select and copy the text using your keyboard (Ctrl+C on Windows, Command+C on Mac).

When you cannot copy a comment

If a comment has been deleted, you cannot copy it — it no longer appears on the post. If the account that wrote the comment is private and you do not follow them, you may not be able to see the comment at all, which means you cannot copy it either.

If Instagram's interface is not responding or the app is outdated, the copy function may not work. Try closing and reopening the app, or updating it from your device's app store. If the problem persists, restart your phone.

Pasting a copied comment

Once you have copied a comment, you can paste it anywhere your device allows text input. In most apps, press and hold in the text field and select Paste, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).

On iPhone, you can also use the three-finger tap gesture to bring up the paste option. On Android, long-pressing in a text field usually shows the paste option when ready.

Using copied comments responsibly

Copying a comment is a neutral action — the tool itself does not determine whether you use it fairly. If you plan to share someone else's comment publicly, consider crediting the original author and the original post. This is especially important if the comment is insightful, funny, or took effort to write.

If you are copying your own comments to reuse them, keep in mind that context matters. A comment that makes sense on one post may not fit on another, and reusing the exact same words repeatedly can look like spam. Adapt the comment to fit the new situation.

Privacy and security when copying comments

Copying a comment does not expose your personal information or the original author's information. The text itself is all that is copied — no metadata, no location data, no account details. Your clipboard is private to your device unless you paste the content somewhere public.

Be cautious about copying comments that contain links, phone numbers, or email addresses. If you paste these into a message or post, you are sharing that information with whoever sees it. Verify that the link or contact information is legitimate before you share it further.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Instagram notify someone when I copy their comment?

No. Instagram does not send a notification when you copy a comment. The action is private to your device and the original author has no way of knowing you copied it unless you tell them or repost it publicly with their name attached.

Can I copy comments from private accounts?

Only if you follow the private account and can see the comment on the post. If the account is private and you do not follow them, you cannot see their comments at all. If you do follow them, the copy function works the same way as it does for public accounts.

What if the copy option does not appear when I press and hold?

Make sure you are pressing and holding directly on the comment text, not on the person's name or profile picture. If the menu still does not appear, try closing the Instagram app completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, update the app from your device's app store.

Can I copy multiple comments at once?

No. Instagram's copy function works on one comment at a time. You will need to copy each comment separately and paste it into a document or note if you want to save several comments together.

Is it legal to repost someone else's comment?

Reposting someone else's words without credit can feel unfair to the original author, but the legality depends on the content and your location. Short comments are less likely to trigger copyright concerns than long ones, but the safest approach is always to credit the original author when you share their words publicly.