Instagram Add Post to Story Missing? Here's How to Fix It

Alex Chen

July 16, 2025

Alex Chen

July 16, 2025
Troubleshooting & Errors
6 minutes read
A glowing paper airplane launching from a smartphone displaying the Instagram app.

That "Add Post To Your Story" Instagram Option is Missing, Isn't It?

There’s nothing quite like the special kind of digital rage that hits when you want to share a post to your Instagram Story, but the option has mysteriously vanished.

It’s almost impressive that such a basic feature can cause so much grief. But are you really surprised that a modern tech giant fumbles the simple stuff? They're probably busy innovating new ways to rearrange the buttons you just got used to.

It feels like a hit-or-miss feature, but don't worry. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly how to fix the missing "Add Post to Your Story" option on Instagram.

Why Can't I Share a Post to My Instagram Story?

You find a post that’s pure gold or someone makes an Instagram Reel that your followers need to see. You tap the little paper airplane icon, ready to share the love, and… nothing. The option is gone.

Before you throw your phone across the room, let's figure out why you can’t add that post to your Story.

"Add Post To Story" Instagram Option Missing

The User's Sharing Settings Are Locked Down

More often than not, the problem isn't you—it's them. The most common reason the share option is missing is that the original poster has disabled sharing.

This can happen in two ways:

  • They have a Private Account: You can't share posts from private accounts to your story. Period.
  • They've Disabled Resharing: Public accounts have a specific setting, "Allow Resharing to Stories." If they've turned this off in their instagram post sharing settings, you won't see the option to share their content. There's not much you can do here besides sending them a private message and asking them nicely to change it.

Learning how to enable story sharing on Instagram for your own account is in your settings, so you can control who shares your stuff, too.

It's Just a Glitch in the Matrix

Sometimes, the app just acts up. It's a complex piece of software, and things break. A temporary glitch can easily be the reason your instagram add post to story missing issue has appeared.

This is where some basic instagram app troubleshooting comes in handy:

  1. Restart the App: The oldest trick in the book, because it often works. Close the app completely and reopen it.
  2. Update Instagram App: Check the App Store or Google Play Store to see if you're running the latest version. An outdated app is a buggy app.
  3. Reinstall: The nuclear option. If a restart and update don't work, delete the app and redownload it. This usually clears out any persistent bugs.

How To Fix The “Add Post To Your Story” Instagram Option Missing

Alright, let's get that button back. When a feature disappears, it’s usually a sign that the app is having a moment. Here are a few ways to fix it.

Update & Reinstall: The Digital Exorcism

Let’s start with the classic instagram app troubleshooting steps. Before you do anything drastic, check if you need to update your Instagram app. An outdated app is often a buggy app.

If an update doesn't bring the button back from the dead, it's time for the nuclear option: deleting and reinstalling. Why? Because when you delete the app, you purge all the old data and cache that might be causing the glitch. It's a digital cleanse to appease the algorithm gods.

Try Another Device

Sometimes, the problem isn't the app — it's your phone. If your smartphone is a bit of a relic, it might not be able to handle the latest Instagram updates, which is why you can't share posts to your Instagram story.

To test this, log into your account on a friend's newer phone.

"Add Post To Story" Instagram Option Missing

If the feature magically appears, you've found your culprit. Check the app version on their device and see if you can update yours to match. If you can't, it might be a sign that your trusty phone device is ready for retirement.

Ask The Account Holder to Change Their Settings

If the issue only happens with specific posts, the problem isn't on your end. The account holder has likely disabled sharing from their instagram post sharing settings for privacy.

When this happens, no amount of troubleshooting will help. The only way forward is through simple, human conversation. You'll have to reach out to the user and ask them to enable sharing. It can feel a little awkward, but just be cool about it.

If they agree, here’s how to enable story sharing on Instagram for them:

  1. Go to their Instagram Profile and tap the menu icon (the three lines) in the top right.
  2. Tap Settings, then Privacy.
  3. Select Story.
  4. Scroll down to the Sharing section and toggle on Allow sharing to story.

Once they flip that switch, you should be able to share their post to your story.

How To Actually Use The "Add Post To Your Story" Feature

Assuming you've fixed the glitches and the user you want to share from hasn't locked down their account, let's talk about how to share a post. Instagram has had a couple of methods, one of which was a spectacular failure.

The Ghost of Reshare Sticker Past

In mid-2021, Instagram, in a stunning display of innovation, launched a ‘Reshare’ sticker. The idea was to create a new way to share posts to your story. The reality? It was a confusing mess.

This feature was so 'user-friendly' that, according to Marketing Brew, Instagram killed it just a few months after launch. Some users were actually grateful it was gone. That’s how you know you’ve made something special—when its removal is treated as a public service.

So, if you're looking for the 'Reshare' sticker, you can stop. It's gone.

"Add Post To Story" Instagram Option Missing

The Real Way: The Sharing List

If you're not trying to use a feature that's been sent to the digital graveyard, the process is incredibly simple. This is the classic, reliable way to add a post to your Instagram Story.

  1. Go to the Instagram post you want to share.
  2. Tap the little paper airplane icon below the post.
  3. A sharing list will pop up.
  4. Click "Add Post to Your Story," which lets you create a new story with the post embedded.

That's it. No stickers, no weird workarounds. Just a few taps, and the post is on your story, right where you want it.

Your Burning Questions Answered

Still stuck? Here are the quick and dirty answers to the most common frustrations.

1. My app is updated, but the option is still missing. Now what?

So you've done everything right—the app is updated, you've restarted it—and it's still broken? Welcome to the club. This usually points to a temporary glitch on Instagram's side.

You can try the last resort: reinstalling the app. If that doesn't work, then congratulations, you've done all you can. Sometimes the only fix is to wait for the tech gods to sort themselves out.

2. How do I let people share my posts to their story?

Want your own posts to be shareable? You have to flip the switch first. To let your followers spread your content, you need to enable sharing in your settings.

This is a core part of your instagram post sharing settings. Once you allow it, all anyone has to do is tap that little paper airplane icon under your post. It’s a simple way to let your content travel further.

3. Seriously, why can't I share this one post to my story?

Let's break it down one last time, because it's almost always one of these three things:

  • Your App is Ancient: You need to update your Instagram app. If you can't, your phone's operating system might be too old to support newer versions.
  • The User Has Locked It Down: This is the most common reason. The person who made the post has disabled sharing. It's not a bug; it's a feature. You can always slide into their DMs and ask them to change it.
  • It's a Glitch: The app is just being weird. See question #1 for your instagram app troubleshooting options.

If you've hit a wall, you can always just bookmark the post for your own collection. Don't worry, no one will know if you have saved their Instagram Post.

So, Let's Recap This Whole Mess

When your "Add Post to Your Story" Instagram option is missing, it’s rarely a mystery that can't be solved. It boils down to a few key culprits.

"Add Post To Story" Instagram Option Missing

First, blame the app. A simple glitch is the most common offender. Your go-to instagram app troubleshooting steps are to update your Instagram app or, if you're feeling bold, reinstall it completely. If that doesn't work, try logging in on a different (newer) device. If the button appears there, it might be a sign that your phone is ready for a museum.

Second, remember that not everything is for you to share. If the problem is specific to one post, the user has probably disabled sharing in their instagram post sharing settings. Shocking, I know, but some people don't want to be your free content mill. In this case, your only move is to slide into their DMs and ask nicely.

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Alex Chen

Great growth isn't luck; it's a well-designed blueprint.

Alex Chen

Great growth isn't luck; it's a well-designed blueprint.

When I'm not digging into analytics, you can usually find me rock climbing. I find there's a similar kind of clarity in solving a complex route.

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