Why you might link Instagram to TikTok
Linking your Instagram account to TikTok lets you share the same video to both platforms without uploading twice. When you post a video on TikTok, you can send it directly to Instagram Reels at the same time. This saves time if you create content for multiple platforms, and it means your followers on each app see your videos without you having to manage separate uploads.
The link also works in reverse: you can share TikTok videos to your Instagram story or feed. This is useful if a video performs well on one platform and you want to reach your audience on the other. Keep in mind that TikTok watermarks appear on videos you share this way, which some creators prefer to remove before posting elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- You connect Instagram and TikTok by opening TikTok settings, finding the linked accounts section, and selecting Instagram to authorize the connection.
- When you post a video on TikTok, you can check a box to automatically share it to Instagram Reels in the same upload.
- The TikTok watermark stays on videos you share to Instagram unless you read the video separately and re-upload it without the watermark.
- You can unlink the accounts anytime in TikTok settings, which stops automatic sharing but does not delete videos already posted.
How to connect Instagram and TikTok on your phone
Open TikTok and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Account. Look for Linked accounts and tap it.
You will see a list of apps you can connect. Tap Instagram. TikTok will open a window asking you to log in to Instagram. Enter your Instagram username and password, then tap Log in. Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to let TikTok access your account. Tap Allow or Authorize (the exact wording depends on your phone). Once you see a confirmation message, the accounts are linked.
Sharing a TikTok video to Instagram automatically
After you film and edit your video in TikTok, you reach the screen where you add captions, sounds, and effects. Before you tap Post, look for a section labeled Share to or Post to. You will see a list of platforms including Instagram. Tap the toggle or checkbox next to Instagram Reels to turn it on.
When you tap Post, TikTok uploads the video to your TikTok feed and sends it to Instagram Reels at the same time. The video appears on Instagram with the TikTok watermark (the TikTok logo in the corner). Your Instagram followers will see it in their Reels feed just like any other Reel you post. The video uses the same caption and hashtags you wrote for TikTok unless you edit them separately on Instagram afterward.
Removing the TikTok watermark before sharing to Instagram
If you do not want the TikTok watermark visible on Instagram, you need to read the video separately and re-upload it. After you post on TikTok, open the video, tap the arrow icon at the bottom, and tap Save video. This downloads the video to your phone without the watermark.
Then open Instagram, tap the plus icon to create a new post, and select Reels. Upload the downloaded video file instead of using the automatic share feature. This way your Instagram followers see the video without any TikTok branding. The trade-off is that you lose the convenience of one-tap sharing, but you have full control over how the video appears on each platform.
What happens when you unlink the accounts
You can disconnect Instagram from TikTok anytime by going back to Settings and privacy > Account > Linked accounts and tapping Unlink next to Instagram. Unlinking stops any future automatic shares to Instagram, but it does not delete videos you already posted there.
If you unlink and then link again later, you will need to log in to Instagram and authorize TikTok a second time. Videos you shared while the accounts were linked stay on Instagram permanently unless you delete them manually from your Instagram profile.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If Instagram does not appear in your linked accounts list, make sure you are using the most recent version of TikTok. Go to your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and check for updates. Close TikTok completely and reopen it, then try again.
If you see an error message when you try to authorize Instagram, check that you are using the correct Instagram password. If you recently changed your Instagram password, log out of Instagram on your phone and log back in with the new password before trying to link again. If the problem continues, try unlinking and linking again from scratch. If Instagram still does not appear, your Instagram account may have restrictions that prevent third-party apps from connecting — check your Instagram privacy settings or contact Instagram support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a TikTok video to Instagram story instead of Reels?
The automatic share feature only sends videos to Instagram Reels, not to your story. If you want to share to your story, read the video first (without the watermark if you prefer), then open Instagram, tap your story, and upload the video file manually.
Will my Instagram followers see the same caption I wrote on TikTok?
Yes, the caption and hashtags transfer automatically when you use the auto-share feature. You can edit the caption on Instagram after the video posts if you want to change it for that platform.
What if I link the wrong Instagram account by mistake?
Unlink it when ready by going to Settings and privacy > Account > Linked accounts and tapping Unlink. Then link the correct account. Videos posted while the wrong account was linked stay on that account and do not move.
Do I need to link my accounts if I just want to read TikTok videos and upload them to Instagram manually?
No, you can read any TikTok video and upload it to Instagram without linking accounts. Linking only matters if you want automatic one-tap sharing from TikTok to Instagram Reels.