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How to Forward an Instagram Story in 2026: Complete Guide

Jules Carmaux headshotBy Jules CarmauxMarketing tips

How to Forward an Instagram Story in 2026: Complete Guide

To forward an Instagram Story in 2026, open the story, tap the paper airplane/share icon, and send it to someone via DM. If you want to reshare an Instagram Story to your own Story, you can usually do that only when you’ve been tagged in the original story or when the original content is shared from a public post with sharing enabled.

If you searched “forward instagram story”, “how to forward an Instagram Story”, or “share someone’s Instagram Story”, this guide walks you through every method that still works in 2026, plus what to do when Instagram won’t let you reshare.

What “Forwarding” an Instagram Story Means in 2026

People use “forward” in a few different ways on Instagram, so let’s clear that up first. In 2026, forwarding an Instagram Story can mean:

  • Sending the story to someone in DM
  • Adding the story to your own Story after being tagged
  • Sharing related content such as a public post or Reel to your Story
  • Copying the story link and sending it elsewhere

The exact option you see depends on the original creator’s privacy settings, whether you were mentioned, and whether Instagram has enabled sharing for that account.

How to Reshare an Instagram Story You’re Tagged In

This is the easiest and most reliable way to reshare an Instagram Story in 2026.

Method 1: Add It From Your DMs

  1. Open Instagram.
  2. Go to your Direct Messages.
  3. Find the message that says you were mentioned in a story.
  4. Tap Add to your story.
  5. Edit if you want: add text, stickers, GIFs, music, or links.
  6. Tap Your Story or Close Friends to publish.

Method 2: Open the Mention Notification

If you missed the DM, you may also find the mention in your Activity or notification tab. Tap the mention, then select the option to share it to your story if available.

Why This Option Sometimes Doesn’t Appear

  • The story has already expired
  • The user removed the mention
  • The account is private and Instagram limits resharing
  • The app needs updating
  • There’s a temporary Instagram bug

How to Re-Share an Instagram Story You’re NOT Tagged In

In 2026, Instagram still does not give a universal one-tap option to repost someone’s story to your own story if you weren’t tagged. Here are the legit options.

Option 1: Share a Public Post or Reel Instead

  1. Open the original post or Reel.
  2. Tap the paper airplane/share icon.
  3. Select Add to story.
  4. Customize and publish.

Option 2: Send the Story by DM

  1. Open the story.
  2. Tap the share icon or press and hold if needed.
  3. Select the person or group chat.
  4. Tap Send.

Option 3: Ask the Original Creator to Tag You

The cleanest solution is to ask the creator to mention your username. Once they tag you, Instagram usually unlocks the built-in reshare feature.

Option 4: Use the Original Link

  1. Tap the More menu or share icon.
  2. Select Copy Link.
  3. Paste it into Instagram DM, WhatsApp, email, or another app.

How to Forward an Instagram Story via DM

  1. Open Instagram and view the story.
  2. Tap the paper airplane icon.
  3. Choose one or more recipients.
  4. Add an optional message.
  5. Tap Send.

Can you forward to a group? Yes, select the group chat instead of an individual recipient.

What’s New About Instagram Story Sharing in 2026

  • Cleaner share menus: Instagram now surfaces DM forwarding and story sharing options more clearly.
  • More privacy controls: Creators can limit who can share their content.
  • Better attribution labels: Re-shared posts and tagged story mentions are more clearly credited.
  • Cross-format sharing: Public Reels and posts are often easier to move into Stories than story-only content.

If you’re managing influencer campaigns, tracking who reshares your brand stories matters. Click Analytic’s campaign tracking helps brands monitor story performance across creator accounts and spot which collaborations drive real sharing behavior.

Why You Might Not Be Able to Forward or Reshare

  • You weren’t tagged in the original story
  • The account is private
  • The creator disabled resharing
  • The story expired after 24 hours
  • Your app is outdated

Common Fixes

Update the app. Go to the App Store or Google Play: a missing share button is often just an old build.

Restart Instagram. Force close and reopen. Fixes most temporary glitches.

Ask the creator to mention you. If you need to post it on your Story, this is the simplest fix.

Log out and back in. Resets stuck permissions and interface bugs.

Quick Recap

  • Tagged in the story? Tap Add to your story from your DMs.
  • Want to send it privately? Open the story and tap the share/paper airplane icon.
  • Not tagged, want to repost publicly? Usually not possible. Ask the creator to tag you or share the original post/Reel instead.
  • Share button missing? Update Instagram, check privacy settings, confirm the story hasn’t expired.
Jules Carmaux headshot

Written by

Co-Founder and Content Lead at Click Analytic, covering influencer marketing, audience analytics, and creator economy trends.

FAQ

Common questions

Still curious? Book a 15-min demo with our team.

Yes, but usually only if you were tagged in that story or if the content comes from a shareable public post or Reel. If you weren’t tagged, Instagram normally does not allow direct reposting.
Open the story, tap the paper airplane/share icon, choose the friend, and tap Send.
The story may have expired, the mention may have been removed, or the app may need updating. Start by checking your DMs and updating the app.
Usually only in limited ways. Private account stories have stricter sharing controls.
You can forward it by DM, share a link if available, or repost the original public post/Reel. To add it to your own Story, the best option is to ask the creator to tag you.

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